Chapter 269 The deal is reached! Public opinion explodes!
The conversation with Wizards general manager Tommy Shepard went very well.
When he heard that he could get a second-round draft pick for Yi Jianlian, Shepard agreed without much hesitation.
First, Yi Jianlian has suffered a significant regression this year, with his scoring average falling from 12 points last season to 5.6 points now.
In contrast, Blatche, who is only one year older than Yi Jianlian, has completed a gorgeous transformation this season, averaging 16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Comparing the two, Yi Jianlian naturally did not get many opportunities and gradually fell out of the rotation.
Secondly, Yi Jianlian's salary is not low, reaching 4.05 million US dollars this season, fifth in the queue (players' salaries have not yet expanded during this period).
The future core player of the team, John Wall, has a salary less than one hundred dollars higher than him.
Now there is an opportunity to exchange Yi Jianlian for a second-round draft pick and clear up the 4.05 million salary space...
This is absolutely beneficial to the wizards without any harm!
"Mr. Shen Fei, I hope that through this transaction, our two teams can establish a friendship, and there may be opportunities for cooperation in the future!"
Shepard said excitedly.
"Um."
Shen Fei responded calmly and then hung up the phone.
After taking care of the Wizards, the Asian young man immediately dialed the number of Pistons general manager Troy Weaver.
"Hello, I am Shen Fei from Rocket."
"This call is because I want to trade your team's Ben Wallace."
Shen Fei said straight to the point.
"You want to trade Ben? Sorry, Ben is the future star of our Pistons. He has had too many glories here."
"He returned to his roots last year and returned to the Pistons family. I will never let him wander again!"
Troy Weaver said sternly.
"It's not considered a vagrant... Ben is 36 this year. He might retire after this season."
"How about a second round?"
Shen Fei asked the price.
"em..."
"What you said is not unreasonable, but Ben has shed his blood for the Pistons after all."
"Now he wants to return to Motor City and bring the young people with him. I really can't bear it..."
Before Troy Weaver finished speaking, Shen Fei spoke again: "Two second rounds."
"I can't bear to see him wasting his last moments in the Pistons' rebuilding period even though he still has gas."
"Don't worry, Shen, I'll go and persuade him right away!"
"Tomorrow! I promise to get on the plane to Houston tomorrow."
Troy Weaver made a seamless transition.
The natural change of his tone and the thick skin made Shen Fei amazed.
"Okay, doing business with a businessman like you is easy."
"I will fax the contract shortly. It is a four-party deal. If there is no problem, we will reach a final agreement in the afternoon."
Shen Fei said with a smile.
Although Troy Weaver's approach is not authentic, it is indeed the best solution for the Pistons.
After all, the NBA is a business. If a veteran who is about to retire can be exchanged for two draft picks, he will not suffer any loss no matter what.
After all, Ben is not a giant like Kobe Bryant or James, and he has no commercial value due to his old age.
Even though it is a bit impersonal, it is still the best choice for the team to choose to sell it after its leaves have fallen.
That afternoon, the four teams involved in the deal—the Rockets, Kings, Wizards, and Pistons—all signed contracts.
At this point, the transaction was successfully completed!
Soon, Woj, a well-known reporter from Yahoo Sports, announced the transaction information on his personal Twitter:
“The four-party deal is concluded!
The Houston Rockets sent: Luis Scola, Shane Battier, received a first-round pick from the Kings, Ben Wallace from the Pistons, and Yi Jianlian from the Wizards;
The Kings sent out one first-rounder and two second-rounders to get Luis Scola and Shane Battier;
The Pistons received two second-round picks and the Wizards received one second-round pick."
"Another: Luis Scola took the initiative to apply for a trade. He hoped to go to a team that could give him enough playing time, and Shen Fei agreed to his request."
"The four-party deal was Shen Fei's idea. In order to complete the deal, he persuaded the Kings to pay two second-rounders to the Pistons."
As soon as this news came out, some fans of each team were happy and some were sad.
The mood of Rockets fans is more complicated.
Those who support this deal feel that Scola and Battier have contributed to the team. Since they cannot give them playing time, choosing to let them go shows their grace.
Moreover, the Kings' draft pick will most likely be a lottery pick.
Although next year is not a big year for the draft, with Shen Fei's vision (he selected George and Stephenson this year), there is a good chance that he will get another young talent!
Those who opposed the deal believed that Shen Fei did not fully stand on the Rockets' side and traded Yi Jianlian solely because of the latter's status as a Chinese player.
After all, anyone who has watched the game knows how hard Yi Jianlian has struggled with the Wizards this season.
Moreover, another trade target, Ben Wallace, seems to have no effect.
Just imagine, a 36-year-old veteran who returned to his old club with a basic salary last year obviously has no competitive mentality and is ready to retire.
But Shen Fei asked the Kings to pay two second-round picks for him to seal the deal.
This puzzled many Rockets fans. One fan left a message under woj’s tweet:
"Is this deal just to get a first-round pick? Is it worth losing two powerful veterans for this pick? Shen Fei said he wanted to win the championship this season, but now he is paying two for a future asset Bench gangster, I really can’t understand this decision..."
This comment received a lot of likes, which shows that many fans have the same view as him.
Also questioning were Kings fans.
After the team welcomed the two new players on Twitter, they started a heated discussion.
"Cousins is only in his first year, and we obviously need to rebuild for several years. At this time, the management is really losing their mind to exchange precious first-round picks for two veterans..."
"There's not just one first round, but two second rounds! Does Ranadive require the team to make the playoffs this season? Otherwise, this approach is really puzzling."
"The Kings have been in good shape recently. Although they lost to the Rockets by a big score, they played very well in the previous games. But to be honest, even if they enter the playoffs now, they are just cannon fodder, so it doesn't make sense!"
"I also saw reports yesterday that Ajiali (the daughter of the team owner) and Shen Fei were suspected of having a relationship, and then the deal was revealed today. It's hard not to make people think..."
Overall, most Kings fans don't buy into this deal.
Fans of the Fire and Chinese teams are troubled by the management's decision. In contrast, fans of the Wizards and Pistons are happy.
The Wizards got rid of Yi Jianlian's garbage contract, and the fans no longer had to endure his clumsy performance, so they were naturally happy.
The Pistons received two second-round picks. Although some fans were reluctant to leave again, they basically supported the team's decision.
.............
While the fans were discussing it heatedly, Shen Fei, the planner of the deal, was working non-stop on the follow-up work.
He first called Yi Jianlian and welcomed him to join the Rockets.
"Don't worry, you will live a comfortable life with me and Dayao here. Don't pay attention to the gossip from the outside world, just train well."
Shen Fei said.
During this period, Yi Jianlian was still relatively dull and not good at speaking.
Facing the olive branch extended by Shen Fei, he did not show much emotion or excitement, but simply thanked the former for his trust in him.
After hanging up the phone, Shen Fei couldn't help but sigh: "Sure enough, the confidence of basketball players comes from their performance on the court. This was the case with Tracy McGrady before, and it is the same with the current Arab League."
Who would have thought that this young player who is unknown in the NBA would be able to carry the Chinese national team on his shoulders in the future and defend the dignity of Chinese basketball with his cary performances time and time again.
But now, poor performance has made Yi Jianlian extremely lacking in self-confidence.
This lack of confidence can even be felt over the phone.
"It seems that we have to find a way to let Ah Lian regain his confidence first..."
Shen Fei murmured to himself.
However, this kind of thing requires long-term consideration, and I can't think of a solution for a while.
Shen Fei calmed down and dialed Ben Wallace's phone number again.
Before making the call, Shen Fei was worried about Ben's condition.
After all, if a veteran is traded away by his old club when he is about to retire, whoever replaces him may feel uncomfortable.
But to Shen Fei's expectation, Ben Wallace behaved very professionally.
He calmly accepted the team's decision and said on the phone that he would do his best to help the Rockets.
"I don't know how much more I can do for the Rockets, but as long as the team needs me, I am willing to obey any arrangement."
"Even if the coach only needs my help in managing the locker room, I will do my best to do it."
So Ben said.
These words surprised Shen Fei, and he couldn't help but feel a little admiration for Ben Wallace.
Big Ben, like Kobe, Iverson, Nash and others, is part of the 1996 golden generation.
It's just that his talent was mediocre and he was just an undrafted player that year.
With his explosive muscles and terrifying bounce, Ben struggled in the league and gradually found a foothold.
Then, as a late bloomer, he reached his peak with the Pistons!
Four-time DPOY winner (the first in NBA history), patron saint of Detroit's no-fly zone, two-meter direct drive against the top shark...
These have become exclusive labels for the book.
But now, he can still remain humble, join a new team with a low profile, and devote his remaining strength...
Perhaps, this is the mentality an "ordinary person" should have if he wants to succeed!
"Okay. I'm looking forward to meeting you in Houston."
"Moreover, your position in the Rockets is not just the big brother in the locker room."
"You will play an important role in our championship!"
Shen Fei said with a smile.
............
In the evening, Shen Fei finished his day's work and drove back to the villa.
After briefly washing up, he stood at the familiar window sill with a glass of red wine in his hand and looked at the moonlight.
Every time after making some important decisions, Shen Fei always likes to look at the moon alone, sort out his thoughts, and make plans for the follow-up.
In the past two days, he made two decisions with great impact in succession.
First, at Under Armor's press conference, he made some very high-profile remarks.
These remarks are tantamount to a direct declaration of war with Nike.
As for Nike's influence in the NBA, Shen Fei is very aware of it.
He can even predict that the Rockets will receive some "special" care in future games.
But Shen Fei has already done this, and now he doesn't regret it at all.
Just because...this is his only choice!
Now Shen Fei has three main tasks -
1. Win the NBA championship this season; 2. Help the Chinese men’s basketball team win the Olympic gold medal two years later; 3. Make Under Armor a sports brand comparable to Nike and Adidas.
Among these three tasks, Shen Fei has already seen great hope of success in the first task due to his hard work over the past six months.
However, the latter two tasks are still considered "fantasy" at present.
Shen Fei thought about it and found that only by completing the third task first and getting the task reward could he complete the second task.
And if Under Armor wants to become popular in a short period of time, it must do its best to "make things happen"!
Therefore, that declaration-of-war press conference was just the beginning.
Shen Fei has already thought of many ways to make Under Armor soar into the sky!