The draft concluded, ushering in the annual summer trade period.
However, the summer of 2002 lacked any truly significant blockbuster players.
He Xi Meng opting out of his final year contract, becoming a free agent, was the biggest fish in the free agency pool that summer!
Just as Popovich had predicted, numerous teams across the league flocked to him, offering massive contracts and deploying a legion of recruiters to entice He Xi Meng to join them!
Among these suitors, the teams posing the greatest threat to the Spurs were the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Washington Wizards!
The New York Knicks directly offered He Xi Meng a colossal seven-year, $108 million deal, attempting to overwhelm him with sheer financial power!
Beyond the money, they dangled player options, veto power, and even input on team building decisions – in short, any power He Xi Meng desired that was permissible by the league, the Knicks were willing to grant!
Simply put, their pitch was: Come to the Knicks, and Madison Square Garden will be yours! We'll negotiate any power you want!
The Knicks' sincerity was undeniable, but He Xi Meng remained indifferent to New York.
The distance from New York to Los Angeles was greater than from San Antonio, so why would he travel all the way to New York? To be the King of New York?
Los Angeles, on the other hand, was less ostentatious.
Before the official start of the summer trade period, Jerry West, who had helmed the Lakers for 20 years, departed for the Grizzlies as basketball director.
The Buss family finally ended their co-leadership of the Lakers with the "Logo Man," reclaiming full control of the team's management.
Newly appointed General Manager Kupchak, utterly subservient to the Buss family, was met with great satisfaction from them.
Jeanie Buss immediately revived her plan from several years prior, when she had wanted to keep He Xi Meng in Los Angeles. At that time, Jeanie's desire to retain He Xi Meng stemmed from a simple thought: the Lakers needed a top-tier point guard!
Yes, it was this very notion that had spurred Jeanie Buss, then newly entering the Lakers' management, to strongly advocate for keeping He Xi Meng.
Jerry West had no real objection to keeping He Xi Meng; he could recognize He Xi Meng's potential and understood that a premier point guard was a rare find.
However, He Xi Meng's demand for management authority crossed Jerry West's line. The Logo Man believed that players should focus on their roles – playing well was enough.
Deciding on draft picks and constructing the team roster were the responsibilities of the management.
Furthermore, at the time, He Xi Meng's standing on the Lakers wasn't as high as O'Neal's; he was at best a co-star on par with Kobe, so what grounds did he have for seeking such extraordinary power?
It was precisely this reason that ultimately led He Xi Meng to defect to the Spurs, helping them thwart the Lakers and clinch two championship trophies!
Over the past four years, the Lakers had secured two championships, and the Spurs had also won two. However, He Xi Meng had won three championships!
It was no exaggeration to say that in the coming years, whoever secured He Xi Meng would gain a significant advantage in the championship contention between the Spurs and the Lakers!
The Lakers had possessed the right of first refusal, but they hadn't cherished it. Now, the Spurs held the right of first refusal for He Xi Meng, meaning the Lakers would have to pay a much higher price to lure him to Los Angeles!
Of course, the Lakers' owner was wealthy enough to afford that price!
Jeanie Buss first infiltrated Kayla's social circle through Los Angeles' elite women, becoming her friend.
Then, she dispatched an ultra-luxurious recruitment team consisting of O'Neal, Kobe, Fox, and Da Zhi to He Xi Meng's villa for their pitch.
Finally, they presented He Xi Meng with a six-year, $90 million contract, coupled with some of the management authority he had previously desired!
This three-pronged approach demonstrated immense sincerity!
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards, with Michael Jordan coveting the championship the Spurs had just won, condescended to fly to Los Angeles himself to meet with He Xi Meng!
This was the first time Jordan had proactively visited He Xi Meng!
On their previous encounters, Jordan had merely made a phone call, summoning He Xi Meng to Washington…
Therefore, this time, Jordan truly approached the situation with the mindset of "visiting the thatched cottage three times," coming to Los Angeles with the sole aim of having He Xi Meng join the Wizards and compete for another championship together…
To achieve this, Jordan even resorted to invoking a verbal promise He Xi Meng had made during the Yao Ming trade negotiations: that He Xi Meng would lend a hand when Jordan needed it!
However, the Wizards' current predicament wasn't about He Xi Meng refusing to help Jordan, but rather He Xi Meng's unwillingness to assist Wizards owner Abe Pollin!
Jordan was currently expending considerable effort to boost the Wizards' visibility and increase ticket sales, aspiring to become the Wizards' co-owner in the future. In reality, Pollin had grown wary of Jordan and was reluctant to allow him to remain in Washington…
This meant that Jordan's strenuous efforts were destined to be in vain.
If anything, He Xi Meng would be preventing Jordan from wasting his time. How could he possibly join the Wizards himself?
"Given the current roster of the Wizards, even if I were to join, it would be an impossible task to contend for a championship! If you absolutely insist that I fulfill my promise, then I hope you become the co-owner of the Wizards, at the very least holding significant decision-making power! At that point, I can consider a transfer to the Wizards and help you build a legacy!"
"Really?" Jordan was energized by He Xi Meng's promise.
At the very least, after his retirement, the Wizards would have a reliable star player. The success of ticket sales and viewership ratings were closely tied to the star power of the team's leading player!
And He Xi Meng, in Jordan's estimation, was a rising star player whom he respected. He believed that as long as He Xi Meng was willing to join the Wizards, the team's influence in the league would gradually increase…
It had to be said that Jordan, in his first experience as a minority owner, was deeply concerned about the Wizards. Unfortunately, his efforts were misguided. Pollin was not a good partner…
"Michael, be careful with Pollin! He's not a partner you can trust…"
Jordan waved his hand, signaling for He Xi Meng to say no more. When it came to judging people, Jordan was highly confident.
"Alright! Then let me rephrase! If you don't acquire the team shares you desire with Pollin, I suggest you support the bid for another team! I believe some major benefactors can provide you with financial support…
"The major benefactors are unable to operate publicly, so the role of the primary owner will be yours!"
"The bid will also be centered around you, leveraging your identity and influence… However, the profits from operating the team will be shared amongst us…"
"There's such a good thing?" Jordan looked disbelieving. "Do you know how much capital is required to bid for and operate an NBA team?"