The only thing Popovich considered was asking He Xi Meng for his opinion.
After all, it was He Xi Meng's strong recommendation at last year's rookie draft that led the Spurs to choose Arenas.
Although He Xi Meng was reluctant, he still nodded in agreement. Agent Zero's demeanor indeed did not match the Spurs. Forcing him to stay would only displease Popovich, so letting him go was for the best!
"Did Gilbert say where he wants to go?" He Xi Meng asked Popovich.
"Not exactly! He only said he wants to go to a team where he can play!"
"If that's the case, perhaps I can help him find a new team! Allow me to make a call!"
With that, He Xi Meng left the meeting room, went out, and dialed Michael Jordan's number.
"Hi, Michael, do you guys need a starting point guard?"
Michael Jordan on the other end was stunned at first, then overjoyed, "What? Have you changed your mind? We do! As long as you're willing to come, we'll make room for you..."
Uh, Jordan seemed to have misunderstood.
"It's not me, it's Gilbert Arenas, the Spurs' number 0, that explosive substitute point guard!"
"Gilbert? Number 0? Explosive? I f-
At the 9th pick in the first round, the Suns selected Stoudemire.
At the 10th pick in the first round, the Heat selected Caron Butler.
At the 17th pick in the first round, the Wizards, as requested by the Spurs, intercepted the Pistons, who held the 23rd pick, and selected Tayshawn Prince from the University of Kentucky!
After the draft concluded, the Wizards traded Prince to San Antonio in exchange for Arenas, who had been clamoring to leave the Spurs, completing the first player transaction of the summer.
At the 27th pick in the first round, the Spurs traded their first-round pick to split it into two second-round picks.
At the 4th pick in the second round, they selected Carlos Boozer, who was originally supposed to be picked by the Cavaliers at the 6th pick in the second round!
To prevent Boozer from causing trouble for Yao Ming, He Xi Meng decided to bring Boozer to the Spurs and let him develop first...
At the 16th pick in the second round, the Spurs selected Matt Barnes, who was originally supposed to be picked by the Grizzlies at the 17th pick in the second round.
And at the 27th pick in the second round, with their own second-round pick, He Xi Meng, following the original inclination of the Spurs' management, selected the Argentinian big man Scola!
However, Scola encountered the same situation as Ginobili!
Scola's current team, Spain's Tau Ceramica, demanded a buyout fee of $3.5 million from the Spurs.
If the Spurs were in dire need of a big man, they might have paid the $3.5 million.
But the problem was that the Spurs were not short of big men at the moment. Even if David Robinson ultimately chose not to stay, the Spurs would have Duncan, Yao Ming, Malik Rose, and the newly drafted Boozer, at least four usable big men.
Therefore, Scola was a pick the Spurs wanted! If the Spurs didn't pick him, other teams would. But there was no rush to bring him to the team, as the Spurs didn't need Scola's immediate contribution...
What the Spurs lacked was salary cap space, money...