Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 21 What is Faintness
With the end of the finals, the trading market will be announced, so the general managers of each team will soon get busy and prepare for next season.

The opening date of the free market is July 7 every year. Before that, the staff of each team cannot contact free players in private, otherwise they will be punished.

Jim can only act in a low-key manner. Fortunately, the targets he is looking for on the east coast this time are only marginal figures in the NBA, and the league just turns a blind eye to this.

Stephen Jackson was in a bad mood.

At some point, he would regret that he didn't study hard when he was in school, so that the gun in the car was searched by the police. When faced with interrogation, he couldn't even find a decent excuse. I don't even know how to shoot."

As a second-round pick, he has been drifting overseas for several years, and only this year he successfully played in the Nets. The performance on the court is not bad, but the endless troubles outside the court prevent the team from continuing to use him. Put in, well now, he just received news that the Nets will not renew his contract, which means he can only continue to look for work.

He had a big time at the nightclub the night before, and slept until almost noon, when he was finally woken up by the doorbell.

"Damn it, are those goddamn cops again?" He didn't have many friends in New Jersey, and people usually didn't come here.

Jackson grumbled and rubbed his sleepy eyes, and went to open the door angrily.

With drooping triple white eyes, huge flat nose, thick lips, strangely proportioned facial features, coupled with the violent temperament cultivated since childhood, when Jackson stood at the door with a grim face, he really gave people a feeling that strangers should not get close.Jim recognized the famous "martial saint" at a glance.

"Mr. Jackson, I don't think it's polite to let a guest stand outside the door."

"What are you two doing? I said that the gun wasn't mine, and I..."

"Can't even shoot a gun, can you?"

"Are you making fun of me?"

"We're here to discuss your job, can we get in, you know, it wouldn't be good if we were discovered, thank God I'm not famous yet."

Jackson welcomed the two into the house suspiciously.

An unknown smell mixed in the air, making Jim cough for a while.

Jackson pulled off the messy quilt and clothes on the bed and sat on it. Jim and Stevens looked around and finally chose to stand.

"First of all, let me introduce myself. I am Jim Buss, the vice president of the Los Angeles Lakers. This is Brad Stevens. He is my assistant and will soon become the team's assistant coach."

Jackson was a little dazed. He couldn't get a contract extension in a mediocre team like the Nets. Why did the management of the championship Lakers come to discuss signing with him in advance at the risk of being punished?

"After our assessment, we think you have the ability to be a good member of the team. If you are willing, we hope to sign a long-term contract with you."

To be able to play in Los Angeles, compared to Australia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, etc., it is hell to heaven.

"Limited to the league's regulations, we can't sign a contract now. After the free market starts on July 7, you will receive a formal contract offer. I hope we can have a happy cooperation. See you in Los Angeles."

Jim and Stevens flee Jackson's messy apartment, which smells like torture to them.

"Am I still awake?" Jackson poured cold water on his head.

I have to say that Kupchak's negotiating ability is still good. When Jim and the two were shuttling through the streets of New Jersey, he had quickly reached an agreement with the Suns management.

The Suns sent Clifford Robinson to the Lakers for Deshaun Stevenson, Tyrone Lue and Stanislav Medvedenko.Because Tyrone Lue's rookie contract is a 2+2 team option, the Lakers will choose to implement his contract before the transaction. The Suns did not raise any objections, because after watching the finals, they believed that Lue could become a team player. A good substitute.

This solves a big problem for Jim and Kupchak. If the Suns do not plan to keep Lu, but choose to sign a one-year contract first and then change it to free up space, the transaction will not be executed until July 7st. I'm afraid there will be more nights and dreams.

Jim gets a call from Kupchak at the airport.

"Great job Mitch, the next thing you have to do is go to Joe Dumars and ask about the possibility of trading Ben Wallace, except for Shaq, Kobe and the draft picks, everyone can be traded, Including Michael Reed and the newly acquired Clifford Robinson."

"God, are you crazy Jim? Coach Jackson is going to kill me. We took down the entire lineup that won this year's championship, and now you tell me that it's all for a Ben Wallace? You plan to do it every next season. Do you only send three people to the game?" Kupchak's high-octave voice came from the phone, and other passengers in the quiet waiting room gave Jim suspicious looks.

"Calm down, Mitch, calm down. We've got to make this deal, it's our fate for the next five years, trust me, and tell Phil, I'm going to refill our roster with good lads. Also, our speed must be fast, and we must give them an undeniable offer. I heard that Joe Dumars may fire the current coach. If a coach who likes Ben is replaced, it will be too late .”

After getting a positive answer from Kupchak, Jim hung up the phone.

"Sir, actually I have the same question as the general manager, and you know, the boss said..."

"do not worry."

Jim and Stevens boarded a plane to Miami.

Three days later, a deal caused quite a stir in the league.

The Lakers traded just-acquired Clifford Robinson to the Detroit Pistons for Ben Wallace and Judd Buichler .

The Pistons, which was plagued by injuries last season, only won 30 wins. The one-year right to use Joe Smith obtained in the Timberwolves Yin-Yang contract incident has also expired. Except for Stackhouse, the team can only be reimbursed for the season. Corris Williamson and small guard Chucky Atkins are scoring in double digits now.Although the old captain Michael Curry is conscientious at the small forward position, his ability is indeed limited.Ben Wallace, who was added to the Grant Hill-Atkins trade last season, averaged 13.2 rebounds per game, but his poor offensive ability made the Pistons' offensive end even more constipated.

Joe Dumars faced the Lakers who took the initiative to come to the door. The Lions opened their mouths and got the old and solid scorer Clifford Robinson, the steady 3D player Fox, the backup striker swingman, and Robert who has a good range. Hawley, as well as Michael Reid, a potential rookie who averaged close to 10 points per game last season and was selected to the All-Rookie Team.The old, middle and young generations are all covered.

After the Lakers passed these two transactions, there were only 5 people on the team with contracts, including the junk contract Buichler who was added to the transaction.

These two "stupid" transactions immediately put Jim, who had just taken office, into doubt.

(End of this chapter)