This person not only had a very successful career as a player, but also made many amazing operations after becoming a manager.
In the original world, under his leadership, the Pacers once became No. 1 in the Eastern Conference.
The call was answered quickly.
"Hello, this is Larry Bird."
A deep voice sounded.
"Hello, I am Shen Fei, the general manager of the Rockets."
"I'm calling you today because I want to discuss a deal regarding draft picks."
Shen Fei said straight to the point.
Bird heard the other party announcing his home address, coupled with his young voice, he couldn't help but become suspicious.
“You can check out the Rockets’ official Twitter.”
Shen Fei understood clearly and reminded.
Two minutes later, the voice on the other end of the phone rang again.
"Congratulations, you are young and promising."
Bird sighed, and then continued to ask: "What deal do you want to discuss."
"The Pacers have the No. 10 pick in this year's first round, and we are very interested in it."
Shen Fei replied.
He did not tell the other party all the information at once, only half of it, and he could adapt accordingly later.
"So, where are your chips?"
Bird continued to ask.
"We're willing to take No. 14 and Chuck Hayes."
From Bird's tone, Shen Fei was keenly aware that the other party did not have a particularly favorite rookie and was not opposed to trading the draft picks, so he did not say Budinger's name as planned.
"Shen, I don't think Chuck can make up the difference between the 10th and 14th picks."
Bird refused without thinking.
But Shen Fei didn't panic at all and said calmly: "Let's meet tomorrow and discuss the specific transaction plan."
"That's fine. I happened to be on vacation in Texas recently."
Byrd was noncommittal.
After the two confirmed the time and location, Shen Fei hung up the phone.
The purpose of his doing this was just to use [Voice of Bewitching].
This skill can only be used face to face.
In order to fool an old man like Bird, Shen Fei could only go into more trouble.
............
The next day, Shen Fei drove to the high-end restaurant they agreed on.
When he entered the box, he found that Bird had already arrived.
When they met, the two briefly exchanged business information, and then got down to business.
"Although the No. 10 lottery and the No. 14 lottery are both lottery tickets, there is still a big difference."
"For example, last year, the No. 10 pick was Brandon Jennings of the Bucks. He was much better than the No. 14 pick, Earl Clark."
Bird gave an example.
Jennings scored a near-triple-double in his debut with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Half a month later, he scored 55 points against Curry, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score more than 50 points. Rookie.
In comparison, Earl Clark's performance is not worth mentioning at all.
"What you say makes sense, but... this is just an example."
"Last year was recognized as a great year for the draft. There were many potential rookies in the lottery, but for a parallel import like Thabeet, he was the second pick."
"And this year is an out-and-out year. Apart from Wall, there are no particularly outstanding rookies."
Shen Fei smiled slightly and said.
"I agree with your point of view, this year's draft is indeed average."
"But, if that's the case, why would you trade up the pick?"
Bird asked rhetorically.
"We just played seven games against the Lakers in the playoffs last season. If Yao Ming hadn't been injured midway, we might even have been upset and advanced."
"Now that Yao Ming has recovered, we want to fight again."
"I won't hide it anymore. In this draft, I took a fancy to Al Aminu, who entered Wake Forest University. His immediate combat ability is a great complement to the Rockets."
Shen Fei joked casually.
Aminu is older and has more combat power. His dynamic talents are average, but his size is good.
Of course, Shen Fei was not interested in him at all.
"Ahem..."
Bird almost couldn't hold back his smile when he heard the Asian young man's remarks.
[With your lineup, do you want to go further?]
[Can’t you see clearly whether the Lakers underestimated their opponents or let their guard down last year?]
Bird complained in his heart.
"I can understand what you said."
"However, our Pacers are in the rebuilding period and do not need veterans like Hayes."
Bird's meaning is very obvious, it can be traded, but the chips must be changed.
"I do have a plan, you can listen to it."
"Our team lacks a wing player, so... I hope you can add Budinger to the trade."
Bird continued.
"no!"
Shen Fei's acting skills were on point and he said with an angry look on his face.
"Don't rush to refuse. I can add a second-round pick."
Bird quickly added.
There are two rookies he is optimistic about this year, Gordon Hayward and Paul George, both small forwards.
But whether these two can play at the same level as they did in college in the NBA is still unknown.
The Rockets' Zeiss Budinger has shown his potential as a high-quality wing last season, and Bird admires him very much.
Shen Fei showed a hesitant expression, but he was very happy in his heart.
So far, the plan has been implemented perfectly, and the rest depends on whether we can make more money.
"how?"
"Or we can discuss which other rotation players in our team you like."
Bird saw the opportunity to make a deal and urged.
"Well, our team's Jared Jeffries is not satisfied with the current situation, but he can't find a new home for the time being, so why don't you accept it."
Shen Fei thought about it and came up with a plan.
Jeffries currently has the fourth highest salary in the Rockets, but he averages only a few points per game, which is a pure garbage contract.
Coupled with Shen Fei's plan to sign multiple players in the draft, the team's roster must be streamlined.
If Jeffries can be eliminated in the transaction, it will definitely serve multiple purposes!
Bird thought for a moment after hearing this.
The Pacers do have salary space at present, but for Budinger and the No. 14 pick, they have to pay a No. 10 pick and have to accept a garbage contract. It always feels a bit strange...
But judging from the discussion between the two parties just now, Shen Fei has already made concessions, and it seems reasonable for him to take a step back.
"Jeffreys only has two years left on his contract and it will not affect your reconstruction."
Shen Fei added in time.
The Asian young man's voice is low, without any inflection, and his speaking speed is neither fast nor slow, but somehow makes people want to listen.
Bird pondered for a moment and finally nodded: "Okay, that's it."
The corner of Shen Fei's mouth curled up with a sly arc, he stood up and stretched out his right hand: "It's a pleasure to cooperate."
............
In the afternoon of the same day, Woj, a well-known reporter from Yahoo Sports, announced the transaction information on his personal Twitter:
"The deal is done! The Houston Rockets sent Chase Budinger, Jared Jeffries and this year's first-round pick No. 14 to acquire this year's first-round pick No. 10 and the second-round pick No. 10 from the Indiana Pacers. "