"Hi, Michael, can we have a serious talk now?"
He Xi Meng took the phone and spoke to Jordan as if he were a seasoned pro, with no hint of awkwardness. It was as if he wasn't talking about player trades for the first time...
"Uh, sure, go ahead! Tell me your offer, the first pick isn't that easy to trade!"
Even though he had Popovich's approval, Jordan was still a bit bewildered. He couldn't figure out why a Spurs player had the privilege to negotiate player deals. It didn't make sense!
But now wasn't the time to ponder logic. On the other end of the line, He Xi Meng had already presented his offer for the first pick: Brad Miller!
"Brad is a very high-quality center! His defense is solid, his pick-and-roll is effective, he can act as a primary playmaker, and he can shoot threes to stretch the floor for you..."
He Xi Meng sounded like a veteran team manager, incessantly listing Brad Miller's strengths to increase the chances of a successful trade.
"Wait a minute! Stretch the floor for me? What are you talking about? Did you misspeak?" Jordan interrupted He Xi Meng, questioning the slip-up in his words.
"Did I misspeak?" He Xi Meng replied ambiguously, "That's not important!"
"Let me say, hypothetically, if you were considering returning next season, I'd advise you not to go for rookies! Even a top pick is still a rookie. Rookies need time to grow and adapt, and time is what you lack the most! We, on the other hand, have ready-made assets! Brad has been in this league for three seasons, and he's proven his ability to start at center! The Spurs can't keep him, so we're considering trading him for a reliable asset..."
"Then why don't you trade him for an equally established player?"
"It's a bit embarrassing... You should be aware, the Spurs' market isn't big, and our salary cap is limited. We can't offer Brad a huge contract. Our best option is to trade him for a promising rookie, and reduce our salary pressure... And the most promising rookie is undoubtedly the first pick..."
"That makes sense, but something still feels off!"
"There's nothing off! Believe me, I wouldn't trick you! I know you admire that high school prospect, Kwame Brown, but as far as I know, Kwame Brown might withdraw from this year's draft! Even if, I repeat, even if Kwame Brown doesn't withdraw, I'd advise you not to pick him! Kwame Brown doesn't deserve you..."
Although Jordan didn't agree with He Xi Meng's assessment of Kwame Brown, as he believed Kwame Brown was the best prospect in this year's draft, He Xi Meng's final remark did resonate with him. Indeed, no rookie could measure up to his impending return, not even the number one pick...
"However, one Brad Miller doesn't seem like enough value! After all, this is a first-round pick! Is a first-round pick only worth a Sixth Man of the Year?"
"Of course! From the Spurs' current bench, you can talk about anyone you fancy. Of course, Ginobili is an exception..."
"Ginobili? Is that the Argentine kid in the number 20 jersey?"
"Yes! That's him. He's our untouchable player."
"Oh, come on! I wouldn't even want him if you gave him to me! I've watched him play a few games, and I can never guess what he'll do next... If he were on my team, I'd make him sit on the bench until his butt got cold..."
"Uh... alright! Your judgment is as sharp as ever! Actually, Reed is a scorer with quite a bit of potential. You could consider him!"
"A scorer? We don't need scorers! Especially not shooting guards!"
"Uh... then you pick! We are sincerely hoping to complete this trade with you! As I said, believe me, you are my idol, I wouldn't lie to anyone but you! Brad Miller is definitely better than Kwame Brown..."
"Alright, alright! I've received your application! But I need to discuss it with my team. As you know, I'm not a dictator..." Jordan replied slowly.
He Xi Meng could feel a sense of "all the talented individuals in the world are under my command" emanating from Jordan's side of the phone!
"Of course! Careful consideration is a quality every excellent general manager possesses..."
He Xi Meng once again offered words of flattery, greatly satisfying Jordan's ego.
"Old Jordan's judgment is indeed as keen as ever..."
After hanging up, He Xi Meng couldn't help but inwardly sigh.
From Jordan's tone, He Xi Meng could tell that he wasn't particularly satisfied with any prospects other than Kwame Brown.
Yao Ming, Chandler, Gasol, Eddy Curry... none of them caught Jordan's eye...
This was good! The Spurs' probability of acquiring Yao Ming had greatly increased, and the Wizards' probability of avoiding Kwame Brown, a major bust, had also significantly risen!
In fact, ever since He Xi Meng picked up Brad Miller from the Hornets, he had been planning to trade Brad Miller for Yao Ming!
He Xi Meng had been making his moves two seasons ago!
Brad Miller hadn't disappointed He Xi Meng's expectations. Under his strong recommendation and development, he had grown rapidly, successfully establishing himself in the Spurs, winning this season's Sixth Man of the Year award, and reaching the threshold of a quasi-All-Star player! If given enough playing time and tactical freedom, Brad Miller still had a good chance of making the All-Star reserve list.
In this era where dominant centers were gradually disappearing, trading a quasi-All-Star center for a top-three pick in the first round wasn't impossible.
If He Xi Meng remembered correctly, the Bulls were preparing to trade Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler, the second pick this year!
Elton Brand's statistics this season were 20 points and 10 rebounds per game! But the Bulls' record this season was 15 wins and 67 losses, the worst in the league!
This meant that Elton Brand, with unlimited shooting opportunities and averaging 40 minutes per game, only managed to achieve double-double averages of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Brad Miller, playing as a reserve center for the Spurs this season, averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds in 22 minutes per game! His scoring efficiency per minute was far higher than Elton Brand's. If Brad Miller were placed in Elton Brand's position, starting and playing 40 minutes with unlimited shots... his individual statistics would definitely not be lower than 20 points and 10 rebounds...
Of course, a Brad Miller whose full potential hadn't yet been showcased might not be enough, so He Xi Meng had also prepared a Reed for Yao Ming!
Brad Miller + Reed, these were the main assets He Xi Meng had prepared for the Spurs to trade for Yao Ming!
And for the Wizards, trading the first pick, originally meant for Kwame Brown, for Brad Miller + Reed, two future All-Stars, Jordan wouldn't be losing out on this deal!