The day before the draft.
Zhao Chen received Randall at his home in Los Angeles.
It was Randall who took the initiative to find Zhao Chen. He wanted to talk to Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen made tea for Randall and said a few simple greetings.
Randall said: "Boss, I am very happy to have spent my rookie season with the Lakers. I never imagined that I could win the championship in my rookie year."
Zhao Chen said: "Everyone works together, and winning the championship will not be just once, but will happen many times in the future."
Randall said seriously: "Boss, I believe you can do it. You are the best player in this league. No one is more qualified to say these things than you."
Zhao Chen said: "Don't say any polite flattery. Do you have anything to do with me?"
Randall hesitated and then said: "Boss, I want to start."
Zhao Chen said: "You need to fight for it yourself."
Zhao Chen understands Randall's mood. As the highest-ranked player among the Lakers' rookie group, Randall has been pushed to the bench by Jokic in the regular season. In the playoffs, he finally took advantage of Jokic's injury to perform well. His performance was immediately marginalized again when Jokic came back.
Randall was depressed.
Zhao Chen knew that this kind of thing would inevitably happen. In the final analysis, the Lakers still had too many people playing basketball.
Rookies need playing time if they need to grow.
"I know, I competed with Nikola for a season," Randall said.
Zhao Chen asked: "This is not the reason why you are looking for me. Just tell me directly. Don't be embarrassed."
Randall seemed to have plucked up the courage and said: "Boss, the Knicks have contacted me. They said they are willing to train me as the future core of the inside."
Zhao Chen looked at Randall with a very sincere look.
Zhao Chen said: "Do you want to go?"
Randall said: "Well, I want to take a challenge, not because I am unhappy staying here, but because I want to change the environment to grow. I hope to get more time and tactical status."
Zhao Chen said: "Julius, thank you for sharing this with me candidly. I understand your thoughts."
Randall's eyes revealed excitement: "I knew, boss, you would understand me."
Zhao Chen said earnestly: "However, the management environment and locker room environment in New York may not be suitable for your growth."
The Knicks are still in the Anthony era, and the management there is notoriously chaotic.
Randall said firmly: "Chaos also represents opportunities. Boss, I know you want to take care of everyone behind you, but I still want to have a try."
Zhao Chen said: "What if I say I don't agree?"
Randall whispered: "Then I will stay."
Randall truly regarded Zhao Chen as his eldest brother, so he was willing to talk to Zhao Chen about this kind of thing.
Randall's attitude is also very clear. If Zhao Chen is willing to let him go, he will go. If he is not willing, then the matter will be dropped.
Zhao Chen smiled: "I'm just kidding you, relax."
Zhao Chen thought carefully.
In his previous life, Randall seemed to have found himself in New York, and that place might really be suitable for him to develop.
Zhao Chen continued: "New York wants to get you. It's very simple. Let them exchange for the No. 6 pick. If they are willing, it means they really train you as the core of their future inside line. If they are not willing, they are deceiving you. That’s it, stay here well.”
Because of the butterfly effect, the Knicks have the No. 6 pick this year instead of the No. 4 pick in the previous life.
The No. 6 pick is two picks different from the No. 4 pick, but their values are completely different.
Randall's eyes lit up and he nodded: "Yes! I understand."
Randall himself was the No. 7 pick and performed well in his rookie season. He felt that replacing him with the No. 6 pick was a compromise.
Zhao Chen patted Randall on the shoulder and said, "Okay, I'll call Mitch later. The rest depends on the price offered in New York."
Randall nodded excitedly.
"Boss, why do you want me to leave?" Randall asked.
"Not just you, I will agree with everyone who comes to me. I hope you will become stronger and let me challenge you more in the future. If you stay with me all the time, you will not be better than me." Zhao Chen said.
If the rookies have been growing up behind him, it will be impossible to become the superstar who takes the lead.
Zhao Chen doesn't mind cultivating some opponents.
This will make it more interesting later.
Without an opponent, it would be really lonely.
Besides, Zhao Chen also has his own pride.
As long as he is here, the Lakers will be a strong contender for the championship. Others? Zhao Chen doesn't mind changing either.
Randall had a better understanding of Zhao Chen's mind and generosity.
Randall felt that coming to Zhao Chen was the most correct decision.
Looking for an agent or general manager was not as effective as Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen is not only successful on the basketball court, but also successful off the court.
This is the reason why Randall regards Zhao Chen as his idol.
Every time Zhao Chen was fouled by a big move on the court, Randall was always the first to rush forward.
Even if I kiss that Grammond Green, I don’t care!
If Zhao Chen asked him to stay, Randall would also stay.
Randall also knew that the Lakers' lack of him would not affect their strength too much, but he might have more opportunities in a new place. That's why he was so bold to talk to Zhao Chen about this.
Finally, Zhao Chen wished Randall all the best of luck.
........
With Zhao Chen's communication, the deal was quickly reached. On the third day after the communication, Randall officially announced his departure. The Knicks showed their sincerity and exchanged this year's No. 6 pick + some cash for him. Got Randall + the Lakers' second-round draft pick this year.
The Knicks need a big man, and Randall has shown talent and technical ability in the Lakers, and Randall is exactly the type they like.
Randall has a chance to become an All-Star player. This is the judgment of general managers across the league. There is no need for the Knicks to gamble through the draft.
Lakers fans don't care much about Randall's departure, because they have Jokic, and then they have the No. 6 pick this year.
Randall was the No. 7 pick and seemed to make a little bit of money.
June 28th.
The draft has begun.
Zhao Chen didn't go to the scene and watched it on TV.
With the first pick in the first round, the Timberwolves drafted Towns without any surprise.
With the second pick in the first round, the 76ers took Okafor.
....
....
The next three, four, and five picks are pretty much the same as before.
With the sixth pick, the Lakers selected Devin Booker.
Kobe will retire next year, and Zhao Chen hopes to increase offensive stability at the second position and the firepower of the bench.
Booker is a good choice.
He has immediate fighting ability and talent.
With the 27th pick, the Lakers finally selected Harrell.
Harrell is the best choice among the players behind.
The Bucks expressed some interest in Harrell, and Kupchak proposed a trade for Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks in turn offered to let the Lakers trade for Jokic.
The two teams broke up unhappy...
"Zhao, it's a pity not to get Giannis," Kupchak said.
"Forget it, I didn't expect him to come." Zhao Chen smiled.
If Antetokounmpo comes again, the NBA will really have no challenge.
