If it were just Eddie Jones for Glen Rice, the trade would be debatable. After all, one was more all-around, the other a better shooter, both had their strengths and weaknesses.
But the problem was that besides Eddie Jones, the Lakers were also giving up Campbell, a quality backup big man.
After all, the 1998-1999 season was still an era that prioritized defense.
Trading a defense-first wing and a defense-first big man for a relatively pure scorer was something many Lakers fans couldn't accept, and the media was filled with criticism.
He Xi Meng also offered his suggestion. If Campbell had to be included in the trade, then the Lakers should demand Brad Miller from the Hornets. Regardless, Miller wasn't getting playing time in the Hornets' third unit, so it would be better to bring him to the Lakers and develop him properly. Brad Miller's growth potential was actually far greater than the rookie big man Nate, whom the Lakers were heavily investing in. Although Nate was a good friend of He Xi Meng, it had to be admitted that Nate wouldn't match Brad Miller in the future.
Unfortunately, He Xi Meng's suggestion did not receive a response from management. The logo man, facing He Xi Meng's advice, simply sneered and confidently replied, "Management has its considerations..."
The logo man's so-called considerations, or perhaps his confidence, stemmed from the fact that just two weeks prior, he had recruited "The Rebounder" Rodman to play for Los Angeles!
After the Bulls dynasty disintegrated, Rodman, following in Michael Jordan's footsteps, had left the league to become a reporter.
Yes, Rodman had many dreams, and being a reporter was one of them. But with Rodman's arrogant demeanor and temper, even with a press pass, he would inadvertently switch roles and become the interviewee. So, after dabbling for a few months, Rodman felt that being a reporter wasn't fun, didn't pay well, and was demeaning – hardly high-class...
After his journalism dreams shattered, Rodman, who spent money like water, turned his attention back to the basketball court.
Thus, on February 23, 1999, the 38-year-old Rodman chose to make a comeback in Los Angeles. His contract for the new season was a mere $600,000.
With Rodman, a championship-winning power forward, as a backup for the Lakers, the logo man naturally didn't value Campbell as much. Since the Hornets insisted on including Campbell in the trade, the logo man agreed to send him away to facilitate the Eddie Jones for Glen Rice swap.
He Xi Meng had voiced his opposition to both Harris and the logo man regarding this transaction. It wasn't that he opposed trading Eddie Jones; Eddie Jones's biggest problem was the significant overlap in position with Kobe. What He Xi Meng opposed was using Campbell as a bargaining chip to be sent away!
This was because not long before, to sign Rodman, the Lakers had already sent away a backup power forward, Corey Blount, to the Cavaliers in exchange for a second-round pick.
He Xi Meng had a good relationship with Blount. Within the Lakers' roster, Blount was a very useful high-post screener, diligently fulfilling his role as a blue-collar worker, working tirelessly without complaint. His stats were unremarkable, but he was a valuable piece of the team. The Cavaliers recognized Blount's usefulness, which is why they were willing to use a second-round pick to bring him to Cleveland.
In He Xi Meng's view, the Lakers' move to send Blount away for Rodman was like dismantling their own Great Wall, weakening their already solid frontcourt.
When O'Neal was healthy, the Lakers were fine. But what if O'Neal suffered an injury?
Unfortunately, He Xi Meng's opposition was ineffective.
The logo man admired He Xi Meng's playing ability but not his "organizational" skills. In the current Lakers team, the logo man had essentially achieved absolute control, with his word being final. The information He Xi Meng conveyed through Harris was not considered by the logo man at all. The logo man didn't even need to attend a high-level meeting; he could directly veto the head coach's suggestions.
And so, Blount departed the Lakers for a second-round pick.
Now, due to the Eddie Jones trade, the Lakers were sending away another reliable backup big man, and He Xi Meng naturally voiced his opposition again.
He Xi Meng's reasoning was that Harris couldn't control Rodman, and neither could O'Neal! Rodman's fierce personality was such that only Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson could make him play obediently on the court.
Now, with Jordan retired and Phil Jackson temporarily out of the game, there was no one in the league capable of controlling the old veteran Rodman!
The Lakers' idea that Rodman's arrival would greatly improve their interior strength was a beautiful thought, but the reality was likely to be harsh.
He Xi Meng's suggestion was that the trade could proceed, but it would be better to have a different bargaining chip! With Blount and Campbell consecutively leaving, the Lakers' bench would only have Nate, a young big man! Nate and Rodman as a pairing was unstable, very unstable!
If Campbell had to go, it would be best to trade for Brad Miller from the Hornets.
Harris agreed with He Xi Meng's opinion, but the confident logo man did not. Therefore, the final outcome was that He Xi Meng made his suggestions twice, and both times they were met with silence. The logo man didn't even offer extra explanations, rejecting them with a dismissive smile.
He Xi Meng suddenly felt the barrier of being a part of a powerhouse like the Lakers. No matter how well you played, you had little say in front of the Lakers' management. Especially during the years the logo man was in charge of the Lakers, no player could challenge the authority of the management.
Even the mighty O'Neal was firmly under the logo man's control, let alone He Xi Meng, a newly minted All-Star player.
He Xi Meng, who had always had smooth sailing, finally hit a wall with the logo man. It also made He Xi Meng realize that he wasn't omnipotent. Once his suggestions weren't adopted, he couldn't change anything. This feeling of powerlessness annoyed He Xi Meng, but for the moment, there was nothing he could do.
And Rodman's performance after joining the Lakers was no different from what He Xi Meng had predicted.
After joining, Rodman, with his status as a three-time champion from the Bulls dynasty, challenged everyone and everything on the team. In his eyes, everyone else was rubbish.
"Start me, and I'll lead you to victory!"
Before signing, he had promised to be a role player and mentor the young players. After signing, Rodman completely disregarded his promise. Mentor young players? I'm still young myself...
"Hey, so-and-so starting, get off the court, I'll show you how to play defense, how to rebound..."
Rodman wasn't wrong; he was indeed skilled in rebounding and defense. But Rodman's tone was so obnoxious that even when he was right, it felt wrong. Within days, the "Worm" lived up to expectations and offended all of his Lakers teammates...