"You said you want to choose this Chinese guy?" In the Lakers' president's office, general manager Kupchak was telling current Lakers president Jim Buss about Li Hao.
"Yes, Mike and Kobe both think this young man is good. This is the report of the trial and I have sent you the video by email," Kupchak said.
"But Mitch, we currently only have one draft pick, and this pick must be in the lottery." The lottery picks are very valuable. This is still a big year for the draft, and there are many young players with outstanding talents.
The Buss family is different from the owners of other teams. Other owners' teams are only one of their assets, but the entire asset of the Buss family is the Lakers.
The Chinese market is very attractive, which is why the Lakers chose Sun Yue in 2007. However, Sun Yue did not give the Lakers what they wanted, and the lessons from his past are still fresh in his mind.
Speaking of which, Kobe once recruited Yao Ming. Kobe did this for competitive reasons, but from the perspective of the Buss family, Yao Ming’s commercial value was more important. Of course, Yao Ming’s competitive value was also very high. At that time, Yao Ming could almost He was said to be the number one center in the league, but unfortunately, he failed to succeed in the end.
"I know, so I hope we can buy a pick, or wait and see where we can get. If it's not the top three, I think we can trade down." Use a lottery pick to select Li Hao No matter how you look at it, it's a waste.
"How high a pick do you think we can get him at?" Jim Buss asked.
"If Li didn't go to other teams for trial training, and Mike really didn't tell other teams about Li's situation, we could have selected him again in the second round, but once Li went to other teams, then we would probably "We need a first-round draft pick." The Lakers spent two days conducting a comprehensive trial training with Li Hao.
"How many teams has this little guy gone to for trial training now?" Jim Bass opened the short video on his computer after reading Li Hao's trial training report.
"We are his first team here. I met with his agent yesterday and talked about it, but his agent told him that the Rockets have sent him a trial invitation." On the first day of trial Kupchak called Holtz after training, and Holtz showed up in Holtz's office again the next day.
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"The Lakers want me to refuse trial invitations from other teams?" Li Hao learned about this from Holtz the night he ended the trial.
"Yes, not only do they want you to refuse trials from other teams, they also want you to withdraw from the following joint trials," Holtz said.
"By the way, Li, this year's joint trial training is a little different from previous years. This year's joint trial training has canceled the 5-on-5 actual combat and changed it to interviews with each team." Holtz also brought Li Hao the results of the joint trial training. Brand new news.
"Interview? What kind of operation is this?" Although the NBA is a business league and players are also wage earners, playing basketball is still a little different from clocking in to work normally.
"It's not clear yet, but I'm gathering information on it," Holtz said.
"Then let's talk about the Lakers." Li Hao is still more interested in the Lakers.
Li Hao had really thought about being teammates with Kobe. After all, Li Hao started watching football after Yao Ming entered the NBA. Compared with later, he was more familiar with the group of people who were at the same time as Yao Ming.
As far as Li Hao knows, Kobe Bryant has only a few years left in his career, and the Lakers will enter a rare period of failure in the next few years, but this is a good thing for rookies.
"Did you agree to them?" Li Hao looked at Holtz.
"No, this matter is mainly based on your wishes." From the first meeting with Holtz, it was already confirmed that Li Hao is a very independent person. When dealing with such a person, you should never try to control him.
"What promise did they make?" In fact, it is common for a certain team to promise a certain player in the draft.
"It's hard to say where the draft pick will be, after all, the lottery hasn't been drawn yet, but the Lakers general manager has promised that if the Lakers can finally select you, you will be the team's key training target next season," Kupchak said to Hall. ci's promise.
According to the Lakers' current lineup, it will be very difficult for them to achieve results next season. Even if Kobe comes back, after all, Kobe is no longer the Kobe he used to be. Achilles tendon tears are too fatal for players.
Playing time is very important to Li Hao. Li Hao has a system, but a player's attributes are only one aspect, and game experience is also very important.
What's more, the system announced the way to upgrade after Li Hao decided to participate in the draft. From now on, he can get some attribute points for every game he wins in the NBA, but there is a prerequisite for this:
In his rookie season, he must play at least 18 minutes in a game.
Every time Li Hao sees these 18 minutes, he can't help but wonder if the system stipulates this time because he played 18 minutes in college.
Every twenty games won can light up badges (one each for finishing, shooting, organization, and defense).
There are 82 regular season games in an NBA season, and a badge has four levels, so it is almost impossible to get a badge in one season.
It is precisely because of the upgrade conditions announced by the system that the key training proposed by the Lakers has become the biggest attraction.
Since it is a key training, playing time will definitely be guaranteed. As long as Li Hao doesn't show too much pressure on the court, the Lakers will definitely not give up on him easily.
To be honest, he was moved. For Li Hao, it is all about leveling up, joining an NBA team, and getting at least 18 minutes of playing time.
Joining an NBA team is actually not difficult for Li Hao. As long as Holtz gives him the opportunity to try out, and there will be joint trials later, the real rare thing is 18 minutes of playing time.
In the NBA, if you are not a rookie that the team focuses on developing, you will either serve as a janitor at the water cooler or get some playing time in garbage time.
"This key training target makes me a little excited," Li Hao said.
"Indeed, playing time is very important for rookies," Holtz nodded.
"We can talk to the Lakers. I hope I can get more guarantees." After thinking about it for a while, Li Hao felt that the Lakers seemed to be a good fit for him.
"Then the Rockets aren't going there?" Holtz also said that the Rockets sent Li Hao for a trial training.
"No" Li Hao is no stranger to the Rockets, but it is precisely because of this that Li Hao does not want to go to the Rockets. Apart from other reasons, it is impossible for Li Hao to go to the Rockets if the current general manager is still alive for a day.
"Lee, one thing I have to remind you is that verbal promises are not binding. In the history of the NBA, there are many broken promises," Holtz reminded.
"I know, you talk to the Lakers first. As long as you are sincere enough, I don't mind taking a gamble on the Lakers." Li Hao, who is systematic, can afford the gamble.
