Super Evolution of Basketball

Chapter 606 Goodbye, Thunder!
Women's thinking is more delicate than men's. Laughlin first began to worry, what if the Lakers were tricked by Paul George and Kawhi Leonard?
At that time, there will be no room for a maximum salary, but they will miss big fish such as Chris Paul, and their useful role players will also be poached.

There was the sound of rushing water from the bathroom, judging from the echo, the bathtub was about to be filled, Laughlin pulled up her hair, first tested the water temperature with her toes, and then slowly sat in.

"It's such a headache. We are obviously the championship team. What is Paul George hesitating about?"

The steam was thick, and Laughlin fell asleep unknowingly.

Ever since Yuan Qingshan renewed his contract with the maximum salary, the rumors in the league have never stopped.

Houston Key City Forum: The Rockets quietly put James Harden on the shelves.

How can this be quiet?
In an instant, all attention shifted from Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs to the Houston Rockets.

Trading Harden, what does the Rockets plan?
Is the damage caused by Blake Griffin's leaving the team so great? They still have Eric Gordon and Capela in their team. Although they are not comparable to teams like the Lakers and Warriors, it is still no problem to make it to the playoffs.

Everyone guessed that one morning, at noon, a fan in the forum who is said to have a close relationship with the Rockets management broke the news that Blake Griffin's departure for nothing caused various factions in the Rockets management to go to war.

The idea of ​​​​the radicals is that the experiment of Harden and Griffin failed, and the Rockets can just regroup, go after Kawhi Leonard, go after Paul George, hit the championship, be the hero against the Lakers, pay the luxury tax, and sell tickets.

The negative thinking is that the Rockets not only let go of Blake Griffin in vain, the key is to let him go to the Warriors to fill the void left by Kevin Durant, which not only hurts themselves, but also nourishes the enemy.

How to play the Warriors next season?Not to mention the Lakers, so it's better to trade James Harden and avoid taxes obediently.

This idea quickly spread among the Rockets management, and the two factions were arguing endlessly.

The new boss Fertitta asked Morey for his opinion. During the conversation, Morey first talked about him, and then tested the new boss's intentions little by little.

Finally, he slapped the table and made an impassioned conclusion: there are two big mountains in the West, the Lakers and the Warriors, and Durant's return will make the Thunder rise again. Under such a bad situation, the rational Rockets should not pay the luxury tax.

So Harden must be traded to avoid taxes!

Tax avoidance, tax avoidance, tax avoidance!

Fertitta nodded in satisfaction, showing an expression of approval. This white and fat guy unexpectedly suits his appetite.

At this moment, Morey knew that his job was saved, and he might be able to go smoothly under the leadership of the new boss.

Therefore, the Rockets put James Harden on the shelf. The trading framework they gave was: young potential stocks, playing players, and enough space.

Some weak teams in the league suddenly felt so happy. They were still regretting not grabbing Yuan Qingshan just a moment ago. In just a few days, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden all have possibilities.

The team managers are very busy. The phone calls of the general managers of the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets are about to explode, and people keep asking for offers.

Morey played with his own calculation formula and calculator, count, count, count!

He suddenly felt that "calculating" seemed to be the meaning of his life, rather than box office or championship. Only through non-stop calculations could he realize his own value.

And now God has given him a boss whom the media calls extremely mean, which is a match made in heaven.

Morey can understand Fertitta from the bottom of his heart. Fertitta is definitely a generous person, but he is just as sensible as himself.

The afternoon after deliberately letting the word out, Morey got a call from Oklahoma City.

The Thunder's negotiation is very direct and full of sincerity. They averaged 17 points, 8 assists, and 1 rebound per game last season. The potential striker Ingram is the main body, and he is paired with Robertson, the perimeter defensive gate. They are willing to use space to eat the rest of the contract after James Harden offsets it.

Morey attached great importance to Ingram, a young player, but immediately raised a question. As a big striker, how did Ingram average 8 assists per game?

Thunder general manager Prest said without thinking: "That's because he is partnered with Russell Westbrook. This guy is definitely a reliable teammate. He has unlimited offensive firepower and passes the ball to convert points in minutes."

Morey said: "So that's the case, so why does Ingram, who often plays the 4 position, average only 1 rebound per game?"

"Emmm..." Prest was silent.

The atmosphere was awkward, half a minute later Morey thought of the answer himself, and happily answered the phone: "I see, it must be because of Russell Westbrook!"

Prest: "..."

In short, after a round of inquiries, the Rockets agreed to return James Harden to the Thunder.

The Thunder raced against time to dispose of Adams' big contract, almost giving it away for nothing, and also took two second-round picks, and then used space to forcefully eat the third giant.

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden!

The former Thunder Three Young Masters finally reunited in Thunder.

It's a league-wide sensation again, with the Golden State Warriors that got Blake Griffin, the Oklahoma City Thunder that brought back Kevin Durant and James Harden, and last season's biggest dark horse, the Los Angeles Lakers...

The Western Conference next season will be hell!
Thousands of miles away in Cleveland, LeBron James was with his agent Rich Paul. He forgot to drink the glass and watched the TV with a solemn expression.

ESPN is broadcasting a show about the NBA, and the hosts and guests spit and describe how messy the West will be next season.

After watching for a while, Rich Paul tentatively asked: "Why don't we stay in the Eastern Conference next season and renew with the Cavaliers for another year?"

LeBron James replied immediately: "Yes."

Rich Paul secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, LeBron listened to the persuasion. He would stay in the Eastern Conference and at least make it to the finals.

The deal between the Rockets and the Thunder went smoothly. When Adams left Oklahoma, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden came to the airport to see him off.

Adams looked at the three guys in front of him, and said angrily: "I know you are very happy to be together again, but you don't need to wear the same T-shirt on the street, what show?"

Westbrook laughed loudly: "Jealous? Don't be like this, Steven, I will miss you, and I will keep suggesting to the boss to let you come back soon."

After being told by the boss, Adams' eyes were a little moist and his nose was a little sore.

However, they must not let them see themselves crying!

Adams quickly thought of a lame joke. He tugged at his T-shirt and said, "I wore this blue T-shirt on purpose today, because blue represents thunder. But you are all red, so it seems that I am the only one who stays in Oklahoma, and you three seem like guests who are thousands of miles away."

Westbrook pushed him: "Don't be sour, get on the plane."

Adams pointed to Westbrook and James Harden who were closer to him: "Look at what you are wearing, like a rocket man!"

Harden laughed, his white teeth showing through his bushy beard. Wasn't he really a rocket man a few days ago.

After all, someone wants to leave, this is the alliance.

Adams turned around abruptly, pulled the suitcase with one hand, raised the other arm, shook it, and shouted without looking back: "Goodbye, my Oklahoma!"

Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden, all three whispered together: "Goodbye, Steven!"

(End of this chapter)