Human audacity knows no bounds; the earth yields to the boldest dreams!
Even in his previous life, when the legendary Michael Jordan, with his discerning eye, placed He Xi Meng in charge of the Wizards, He Xi Meng had to orchestrate carefully, bringing in both Yao and McGrady before daring to aim for a championship...
But Jordan, without any solid lineup, believed that his comeback, coupled with He Xi Meng, would make them invincible? He clearly underestimated the current league, the Lakers' O-K combination, and the Spurs.
However, these were truths He Xi Meng could not convey to Jordan. Even if he did, Jordan likely wouldn't believe him.
"Sir, this is akin to dismantling your own house! Mr. Popovich won't agree to this!"
"Whether the Spurs agree or not is not my concern! As long as you nod, everything else is negotiable! Isn't this league all about trades? And the core of any trade is the chips, right? What do the Spurs need? A top draft pick? I'll give it. Other players from the Wizards? I'll give them all! A trade, successful or not, depends only on whether the chips are right. But the crucial factor, the absolute key, is whether you are willing to come to the Wizards and join forces with me?"
Facing Jordan's aggressive gaze, He Xi Meng firmly shook his head, "I am deeply honored by your favor! However, the Spurs have treated me well! As you can see, they have even entrusted me with the authority to select draft picks... This is a unique privilege in the league!"
"Indeed! I dare say that before this, no star player has ever demanded such an eccentric privilege..." Jordan nodded, still clearly not understanding the purpose behind He Xi Meng's pursuit of this particular perk.
"But I enjoy it! Everyone has their unique preferences! Take cigars, for example. You like them, I don't. I enjoy making trades and building rosters; you don't. You are the greatest shooting guard in the world, and while I admire you, my goal has never been to be a shooting guard! Compared to scoring, I prefer the feeling of controlling the game and connecting the team, which is inherent to a point guard..."
"Fancy words! 'Connecting the team'?" Jordan coaxed, "In essence, it's a desire for control! I haven't misjudged you, Xi Meng; you and I are kindred spirits! We both possess a strong desire to control our teams and our games! I am certain that with our combined forces, the Wizards will soar to glory in no time..."
"If that is truly the case, then I absolutely cannot agree! Two tigers cannot share the same mountain! Since we both crave to direct the team's development, what happens if our directions diverge? Will you yield to me, or will I yield to you?"
He Xi Meng skillfully sidestepped Jordan's line of reasoning, steadfastly holding his ground without wavering.
He Xi Meng's reaction surprised Jordan. After a brief silence, Jordan suddenly displayed a knowing smile.
"Hmm... 'Two tigers cannot share the same mountain!' A very astute analogy! Very well, I respect your decision! I can trade this top draft pick to you, but I have an off-contract condition!"
"An off-contract condition?"
"Yes! I need you to owe me a promise, one that you will fulfill on a future day, when I require it..."
"Alright, Old Joe! While your eye for drafting rookies is questionable, your judgment in choosing partners is excellent!" He Xi Meng silently praised Jordan in his heart.
"Deal! As long as it is within my capabilities, I will certainly fulfill this promise in the future."
"Excellent!" Jordan retracted his sharp gaze, nodded with satisfaction, casually exhaled a large smoke ring, and then revealed his signature, charming smile, "Now, we can sit down and talk about the trade for the top draft pick itself... For instance, who do you want me to pick?"
"The Chinese player, Yao Ming!"
"It's him, of course! Is it because he's your countryman?"
"It's more than that. Yao Ming is, in my opinion, the most suitable twin tower partner for Duncan since David Robinson!"
"Yao has good height and touch, but his physicality isn't comparable to David's. Are you sure he can replace David?"
"Yao Ming is still young, and he will grow, won't he?"
"Alright... If that's what you like! Brad Miller, I've scouted him. He's passable, and if he comes to my Wizards, I should be able to develop him into an All-Star in the East... Reed, I'm not particularly keen on him, but my team says he's good and has trade value, so I'll take him too! Besides these, I also want my old comrade, Kerr!"
"Brad Miller + Reed + Kerr? A three-for-one deal, acceptable!"
"No, a four-for-one! I also want a first-round draft pick!"
"One first-round pick is not enough! A second-round pick can be considered. For the latter, you'll exchange a second-round pick for my first-round pick!"
"Trading back and forth is too troublesome! Just give me a second-round pick directly!"
"How about this year's 28th overall pick in the second round?"
"Deal!"
Jordan snapped his fingers, and a bunny girl waiting outside pushed in two glasses of red wine.
"I heard that your Spurs team likes to drink this!"
He Xi Meng was momentarily stunned, then chuckled helplessly, "How did you know that?"
"Last year's Finals! I heard that after your championship celebration, half the people in the locker room chose red wine instead of champagne... This matter has already spread within the circle!"
"Rumors! All rumors! It's true that Popovich enjoys red wine, but celebrating with red wine? That's preposterous... Hmm, but this red wine of yours is indeed excellent, isn't it? From Bordeaux, 1982?"
Jordan gave He Xi Meng a surprised look and involuntarily raised his glass, "Impressive! It seems the rumors aren't entirely baseless..."
He Xi Meng no longer explained, smiling as he clinked glasses with Jordan, "To a fruitful partnership!"
Jordan: "To a fruitful partnership! From now on, you are my friend..."
Leaving Jordan's presidential suite, He Xi Meng's back was still damp with cold sweat. Old Joe's intimidating presence was truly top-tier. Anyone with insufficient willpower would be completely led by the nose in his presence. Fortunately, He Xi Meng was no ordinary person. He had long since developed resistance to Jordan's formidable aura.
Therefore, He Xi Meng managed to uphold his bottom line. The hand Popovich had dealt He Xi Meng was Brad Miller + Reed + a first-round draft pick!
Neither Popovich nor He Xi Meng had anticipated that Jordan would include Kerr in the trade. However, Kerr's current role on the Spurs was that of a utility player, a third shooting guard. He Xi Meng felt that representing the Spurs and agreeing to Jordan's terms should be manageable. Furthermore, He Xi Meng had gained an advantage on the first-round pick front, exchanging it for a second-round pick.
A first-round pick in exchange for Kerr + a second-round pick should be roughly equivalent in overall value.
As expected, when He Xi Meng returned to the Spurs' draft committee to report, he received unanimous affirmation from all members: the Spurs had not lost out on this trade!
Next, the Spurs' concern was the two remaining draft picks they held: this year's 28th overall pick in the first round, and last year's second-round pick at the 2nd overall position, acquired through a trade with the Golden State Warriors!
Who should they draft?