Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 70 Trading Storm
"Jermaine O'Neal's contract expires next year. Ron Artest is just an addition to Jaylen Rose from the Bulls. He averages only 10 points per game and has a lot of criminal records. Mr. De, although I am happy to negotiate with the Pacers, if your offer is still so insincere, I can only regret to terminate our dialogue."

Listening to the sound of the phone being hung up, Byrd was a little depressed.Some time ago, the sworn enemy and good friend Magic Johnson passed by Indiana. During the chat, he accidentally said that the Lakers were going to put O'Neal on the shelf. This prompted him to make up his mind and come out to take charge of the Pacers again.

Neither Jermaine O'Neal nor Ron Artest is the cornerstone player of the championship. Bird's wishful thinking is to make a small fortune. If the team is completely studded, only Miller will be left as a polished commander. Even adding O'Neal can't compete with the Western powers.

But compared to the Kings' Chris Webber, the Mavericks' Michael Finley and Steve Nash and other additions, as well as the friendly prices of Riley and West, the Pacers' chips are not enough.

Bird decided to make a call to longtime teammate Kevin McHale.

Timberwolves general manager McHale has been battered recently. After the Timberwolves were swept by the Mavericks, the rumors surrounding Garnett have not stopped.Team owner Glenn Taylor had a big disagreement with coach Saunders, and in view of the wolf management's previous fatuous operation, the Timberwolves are more eager to get young players and draft picks to supplement the team.

The Clippers' ambiguous negotiating attitude obviously made McHale lose patience, and the team was in danger under the cloud of trading.He wanted to solve all this quickly, and tried to offer O'Neal to the Lakers with Garnett as the main body, but the Lakers kept the negotiations on hold because they didn't have enough bargaining chips.

"So this is your plan? You think Glenn Taylor won't fire me after this deal is done? Larry, don't forget that I'm the general manager of the Timberwolves now, and I'm responsible for the team!" After hearing Byrd's suggestion, McHale said angrily.

"Garnett is a good player, but his contract is too big. Glenn Taylor also understands this. Over the years, the money has been spent, but the record has not improved. Kevin, you know, in the West, the Timberwolves scored The finals are unlikely, but if the goal is the playoffs, then the players acquired in this transaction are enough to complete the task, plus future draft picks, it may not be a new way out."

McHale was silent, and Bird continued to add fuel to the fire, saying: "If you can help me, this time our bargaining chips will overwhelm all opponents. It is impossible for that Buzz kid not to be tempted, but Garnett's contract Too big, in order to balance the salary, he also has to bleed, we can pick people from his lineup, you can get young players as compensation in this deal, and I can also create convenience for you in subsequent deals .Most importantly, don't let Pat Riley get Shaquille O'Neal, that would be the end of it!"

McHale also has his wishful thinking. Garnett still has a two-year contract with a terrifying amount of 2520 million US dollars and 2800 million US dollars. The Timberwolves are facing huge salary pressure.

After some haggling, the two members of the Celtics Iron Triangle finally reached an offensive and defensive alliance, drawing up an offer that "the Lakers can't refuse".

"Mr. Bass, we have made maximum concessions. This is our bottom line. The Timberwolves are not interested in getting Stephen Jackson. If the Lakers refuse to add Gilbert Arenas to the deal, we can only express regret. It's over." When Bird called Jim for the third time, there was an uncontrollable urgency in his tone.

Arenas performed bravely after returning from injury, especially when O'Neal was injured. As the team's second scorer, he averaged nearly 20 points per game. The face of the team that missed him.

The bottom line for McHale is to add Arenas to the deal, filling the gap left by the team's announced departure of point guard Chauncey Billups.

Bird waited for Jim's response, apparently thinking about it on the other end of the line.

After about 5 minutes, a word came from the phone.

"Accept."

A deal that shocked the league was first reported by the Los Angeles Daily News and the New Jersey Chronicle.

The Lakers completed a three-way deal with the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves, in which the Lakers sent Shaquille O'Neal, Anthony Mason and Bruce Bowen to the Pacers, while Gilbert Arenas was sent to the Timberwolves, Get Kevin Garnett, Ron Artest and Brad Miller.

Minnesota trade Garnett and Terry Brandon for Jermaine O'Neal, Gilbert Arenas, Ron Mercer, Jonathan Bender and Pacers' 14th overall pick .

Despite the loss of Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal and Arenas both showed great potential last season, coupled with good immediate combat power Mercer, the Timberwolves' strength does not seem to be seriously damaged.And got a first-round pick with a good position, which can add fresh blood to the team.

Bender, who was traded, was a former talented player who was unable to play at his due level due to injuries, but he was young because of his youth, and his attendance rate reached 72 games last season.He was not included in the trade plan, and Bird sent him to the Timberwolves in order to compensate McHale.

The Pacers made a big change, paying the price of three starters last season. They got O'Neal and the Timberwolves' former All-Star guard Brandon, the Lakers' main forward Mason and rotation forward Bowen.On paper, the starting lineup composed of Brandon, Miller, Bowen, Mason and O'Neal is basically unbeatable in the Eastern Conference.

It seems like a deal where everyone gets what they want, but some people don't think so.

"Jim, don't tell me that you have been struggling for three months just for this deal? Didn't Mr. West stop you? No matter how you look at it, we have lost a lot, Brad Miller and Ron Artest Ster's trade value is nothing more than a Jalen Rose, why should we pay Gilbert! He shows the potential to be at least an All-Star! If the purpose is for Kevin Garnett, we can definitely find Mike He will agree to Haier's single-handed exchange!" Kupchak was puzzled by Jim's operation.

"Gilbert is strong, but he is not suitable for us, and I don't think the team can offer him a satisfactory contract when he re-signs. In addition, I can't trade Shaq to the western team. Mutual decision between Mr. Sturt and I. As far as the starting point guard opening, trust me, I have a perfect pick."

Jim closed his notebook and gave Kupchak a reassuring smile.

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　　The recommendation score is average, and I will run naked next week. This book is not a cool text, and my level is limited, so maybe the attention is just that.I am very grateful to the friends who voted for me every day, as well as the readers who silently followed this book. I will try my best to tell a good story to make up for the regrets of so many years.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)