readytorunbook Chapter 276
Chapter 276
Chapter 276
Li Yue heard the news of the transaction when he checked into the Orlando hotel in the early morning. Considering that WOJ's revelations were always accurate, he immediately took out his phone and wanted to call Kupchak for verification, but the other party called ahead of time.
After Kupchak's explanation, Li Yue finally figured out the ins and outs of this transaction.
Since Kobe was injured and lost to the Rockets, after the Lakers management made up their minds to initiate a trade, Kupchak expressed to other team managers that he would accept inquiries about Hill, and specifically asked the coaching staff to give more time and clear the ball. Performance.
As a result, in the games against the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Celtics, Hill performed particularly well, and immediately attracted inquiries from the Pelicans, Cavaliers, Nets, Suns, Eagles and other teams, among which the Cavaliers, Eagles, and Nets The most sincere offer.
The Cavaliers hope to strengthen the inside and help the team reach the playoffs; the Eagles are reimbursed because of Horford's injury and need a big man to support the inside defense; the Nets want to maintain their championship strength because of Lopez's injury.
In the marathon negotiations that lasted more than a week, Gobert also played a wonderful performance, including a double-double and 20 rebounds, which greatly increased the confidence of the Lakers management. He was more decisive and resolute in Hill's asking price. Sterling chose to withdraw, and the Cavaliers turned their target to Rockets center Asik. Only the Nets continued to negotiate.
In the previous game against the Heat, because the Heat have always been weak on the inside, Hill and Roy Hibbert performed extremely well. They scored 36+18 double-doubles in 15 minutes, which also completely confirmed the Nets. Desire, Matsuguchi agreed to the Lakers' request to send Sean Livingston additionally. After all, they always regarded the Heat as their imaginary opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Another important reason why the Nets are willing to agree is that Hill's contract will end in the summer. If it is suitable, it can be renewed. If it is not suitable, it can be released. There is no need to worry about causing more burdens. Bundle.
Since Livingston left the Clippers, he has changed 6 teams in 8 years. He signed with the Nets with a basic salary in the summer. So far this season, he has averaged 8.3 points and 3.2 assists per game. He has done a good job of playing next to four big-name teammates.
Now that he joins the Lakers, he can just make up for the shortcomings of the point guard position, but he will not join the Lakers in Orlando, but stay in New York and wait for the Lakers to challenge the Knicks. Prepare.
The ensuing problem is that even if the deal has not been officially announced, in order to avoid injuries that prevent Jordan Hill from being sent to the Nets completely, the Lakers will not let Hill play in the game against the Magic, and directly lose the main center .
As for the $525 million injury special, Kupchak made it clear that it will first be used to seek a trade to obtain a power forward, but there is no specific candidate for the time being, and it depends on what other teams do after the trade deadline approaches.
If the player cannot be acquired through a trade, the management will seek to sign a free agent. Otherwise, before March 3, the Lakers injury exception will be invalidated, even if it is replaced by a draft pick, or other teams can save salary space.
After understanding the whole process clearly, Li Yue sat quietly and thought.
The team suddenly lost a center and more point guards, and the style of play needed to be changed, but after thinking about it for a few minutes, he fell asleep, because the team is currently in a two-game losing streak, and the next back-to-back against the Magic must be won , not so much time to tangle.
...
At noon on the 24th, Li Yue got up to eat.
He lingered in the hotel restaurant for nearly an hour, but he couldn't wait for Jordan Hill, and he couldn't say his farewell words. After inquiring, he learned that Hill had left Orlando overnight and returned to Los Angeles alone to pack his luggage.
In the afternoon, Li Yue took the bus to the Amway Arena, home of the Magic, and saw a number of media reposting WOJ's report on the transaction. It was considered an unofficial confirmation, and the discussion had become a hot topic.
[Bill Simmons: This is a lose-lose deal. The Lakers’ acquisition of Livingston can help Li Yue and Marshall relieve organizational pressure, but the inside defense and offense will decrease accordingly. The benefits brought by Jordan Hill are far lower than the benefits of Livingston leading the second team. Both sides are fools. 】
This tweet got a lot of likes, it seems reasonable, but the basketball game is not EXCEL addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, what kind of effect it will produce will not be known until the end of the game, just like whether there is Kobe or not, the Lakers are completely two balls Team.
[Chris Bunty: I think Nets general manager Billy King should apply for resignation now. Don't use the championship as an excuse. The championship will not take all the draft picks to trade the aging Pierce and Garnett. Nor will he sign a pure defensive player like Jordan Hill.We all know that the Nets lack outside impact and need players who can tear apart the opponent's defense. This deal will only make the Nets owner pay more luxury tax, and it will be as high as 1200 million US dollars. 】
Ever since the league found out that teams like the Heat and the Lakers paid a lot of luxury tax in order to form a super battleship and achieved great success, the new luxury tax regulations were released last summer. According to the step-by-step calculation, in short, the penalty is 1 yuan and 1 yuan for exceeding 5 yuan, 3 yuan for exceeding 9 yuan, and 5 yuan for exceeding 20 yuan.
But as high as 1200 US dollars is also a grandstanding statement. First of all, regardless of whether there is any follow-up operation, the 1200 million is also caused by multiple excesses, just like the seventh bun is full, and it all depends on the first 7 buns.
Moreover, the owner of the Nets doesn't mind paying the luxury tax. Buying the Nets is just an operation to lay the foundation. His real purpose is to obtain the land development rights around the Barclays Center and make money through the real estate business. If more, the Nets boss will be happier. The luxury tax can only be said to be a drizzle, and it should be used as an advertising fee.
[Steven A Smith: I am personally very curious about how the Lakers will use the $525 million injury special. The trade deadline is less than one month left. The Lakers lineup currently lacks a power forward or center. Andrew Bynum, Ed Davis and others may be potential targets, and they can be used with this year's first-round pick. 】
Bynum was waived the day after he was traded to the Bulls, and no team has yet claimed it. Ed Davis is a free agent in the summer, and he will almost certainly not stay in the Grizzlies. There is indeed an operation possible.
The team bus soon arrived at the Amway Center, and the whole team entered the court to shoot and warm up. Perhaps because of the transaction, the atmosphere seemed a bit sluggish. Even Thackeray, who usually likes to be lively, practiced mid-range shooting silently.
Li Yue shot for a while, walked to the sidelines and sat down, quietly thinking about how to deal with this back-to-back game. It is best to win it easily, so as not to increase the risk of injury. .
Because the Magic's starting center Vucevic is absent due to injury, the other players on the field are up to 206 cm. The starting point guard is still 183 cm tall but his defense is far inferior to Paul's Nelson. The Lakers have two tall men, Gobert and Gasol, with a huge advantage .
Just as he was thinking, Wharton suddenly sat beside him, sighed and said, "Paul won't be able to fight tonight, you have to be prepared..."
Li Yue raised his eyebrows when he heard the words, this stupid plan can't keep up with the changes, there is a shortage of major generals.
(End of this chapter)