Chapter 163 Trading negotiations at the beginning of the season
On November 9th, US time, the Cavaliers faced the Atlanta Hawks at home.
Facing the Hawks led by Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, the Cavaliers experienced a tough battle.
LeBron James was once again blocked. Josh Smith's one-on-one defense, coupled with the fifth inside rookie Sheldon Williams' defensive defense, made James very uncomfortable.
Lin Yu didn't play very well either. In this game, his touch was not good and he only hit 4 goals in his first 10 shots.
Fortunately, Lin Yu made a contribution on the defensive end. He restricted Joe Johnson and brought the opponent to the same level as himself.
Then, the Cavaliers relied on better role players and substitute lineups, as well as LeBron James, who was able to create many opportunities even when he was blocked, and won the game with difficulty.
James made 7 of 15 shots and scored 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Lin Yu made 7 of 16 shots and scored 19 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
His opponent, Joe Johnson, scored 25 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists on 8 of 18 shots.
The Cavaliers won this game with difficulty 98:94.
After three consecutive victories, they faced the Chicago Bulls for their last home game in recent times.
It would be easy for the Cavaliers to win this game.
James, who suffered in two consecutive games, directed all his anger towards the Bulls. Lin Yu also took a shot, and the Cavaliers started the state of the ll twin stars.
LeBron James, who was full of firepower, finally scored 34 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, while Lin Yu also made 9 of 15 shots and scored 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 assists.
Steals 1 block.
The Cavaliers finally defeated the Bulls 113:94.
During the two-game winning streak, Larry Hughes' condition gradually recovered.
Against the Hawks, he scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Against the Bulls, he guarded Kirk Hinrich on the defensive end (because Lin Yu had to defend Ben Gordon) and scored 16 points and 4 steals.
2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
If it weren't for the incompatibility between Larry Hughes and LeBron James, Danny Ferry would even want to keep Larry Hughes to form an extremely strong perimeter trio.
But everyone knows that the most suitable position for Lin Yu is shooting guard or small forward. Guesting as a point guard is not a long-term solution.
Therefore, trading is imperative.
As Larry Hughes' condition gradually recovered, Danny Ferry began his actions, looking for trade targets.
When Allen Iverson's deal was about to be concluded, Danny Ferry decided to join in to see if he could step in, send Larry Hughes away, and get a capable player who could match LeBron.
James' point guard.
The current general manager of the 76ers is Billy King, who later single-handedly controlled the Big Five of the Nets. Danny Ainge almost had to thank his eight generations of ancestral general managers.
Why is it close? Because even with the help of Billy King, Danny Ainge, who had a lot of chips, could not do anything big until the time when Lin Yu traveled through time. Irving, who was acquired in the trade, still had to deal with it.
lost.
On the contrary, the Nets replaced Marks as general manager, quickly completed the reconstruction, and after signing Irving, Durant and DeAndre Jordan, they suddenly had the capital to compete for championships in the future.
Billy King has been the general manager of the 76ers since 1998, but in the past eight seasons, Billy King's team operations and operations have become worse year by year.
In the first few years, he was able to hire famous coaches like Larry Brown for Allen Iverson and trade for Dikembe Mutombo, an extremely suitable center.
Later, Webber, whom he spent a lot of money to acquire, turned into a garbage contract within a few years. Iverson even had a conflict with the team's head coach Maurice Cheeks because Webber was sitting on the bench.
With him and without me, this was also the trigger for Iverson being traded.
After two years of lottery, the draft only selected one Iguodala and one Robert Carney, each one worse than the other.
The head coach also gradually changed from Larry Brown to completely unknown coaches like Randy Ayers and Chris Ford, and then to local people like Jimmy O'Brien and Maurice Cheeks.
.
There are rumors that even if Iverson leaves, Billy King will not be able to keep his position as general manager. At the end of this season, Billy King will pack up and leave.
Iverson's trade negotiations are obviously Billy King's last chance to prove himself.
The Denver Nuggets, the only company that is truly interested in trading for Iverson, currently offer Andre Miller plus Joe Smith plus two future first-round picks. Such an offer does not satisfy Billy King.
Therefore, he is still looking for a more outstanding offer.
At this time, a call came from Danny Ferry, general manager of the Cavaliers. Billy King mistakenly thought that the Cavaliers were also interested in Iverson, so he came up with the idea of deceiving Danny Ferry.
"Hey, Danny, what, you also heard that we are going to trade Allen?"
On the other side of the phone, Danny Ferry smiled awkwardly: "Uh... no, Billy, I just want to ask, does the offer Denver gave you include Andre Miller?"
Billy King was stunned for a moment: "Andre Miller?"
Immediately, he reacted: "Yes, it does include Andre Miller."
He guessed that the Cavaliers were really interested in Andre Miller, and coincidentally, Billy King did not refuse to trade Andre Miller.
Because the old Miller is 30 years old, for a rebuilding team, the old Miller's value is not that great, and his future contract is not small. Counting this season, there are still three seasons of a contract worth $27 million.
If we can get back some draft picks and young players and send them away directly through a three-party trade, it is not impossible.
"Billy, I know Philadelphia doesn't really need Andre Miller. Just give me a price. You can choose the other Cavaliers players except LeBron and Lin, but don't go too far."
During the time when Danny Ferry was in charge of the front office, the Cavaliers made a lot of big moves. The signing of Larry Hughes was the first one, and later they also brought in Ben Wallace and Wally Szczerbiak.
, Antawn Jamison, Shaquille O'Neal and other outdated star players.
His operating style is to ask the price of all star players or quasi-star players in the league who may come to play in Cleveland, and then tell the other party that the Cavaliers, except LeBron, can pick and choose anyone else at will.
In this time and space, in addition to James, there is another Lin Yu who is not for sale.
Billy King thought about it for a while and made an offer: "Drew Gutten plus Damon Jones, plus a future first-round pick."
Danny Ferry immediately had the urge to hang up the phone: "Billy, I think you are kidding. Last season, Drew was a power forward who scored 10 points and 8 rebounds in 27 minutes. His value is not as good as
How much lower is Andre Miller's 14 points and eight assists in 36 minutes this season, and we still need to add Damon Jones and a future first-round pick?"
Billy King's focus was on the first round pick, and the first offer was just a trial. After Danny Ferry rejected the first offer, he immediately replied: "Then make an offer, Danny."
"Adding Larry Hughes, we give another first-round pick and get Andre Miller."
Billy King was a little hesitant. Although Larry Hughes's recent state was poor, he averaged 20+ per game a season ago and was selected to the All-Defensive First Team.
Without obvious serious injuries, even if it is a decline, how much can it decline?
Billy King suddenly had a completely different idea than before. He wanted to get Larry Hughes and use Hughes to fill Iverson's vacancy.
Then find a way to deal with Chris Webber's contract and recruit some good role players. The 76ers will still have a chance to make the playoffs this season.
If he can make the playoffs, he has a chance to keep his position as general manager.
But the question now is: "Larry Hughes's contract is US$13 million, and Andre Miller's is US$9 million. How to balance the salaries?"
Danny Ferry had already had an idea: "Choose one of Damon Jones or Ira Nubell, plus Larry Hughes' contract is equal to Allen Iverson's contract, given to you by Denver.
You can transfer all the chips to us. It is the same as the previous offer, and we will add a first-rounder as compensation for Larry Hughes's big contract."
Billy King thought for a moment and made a decision directly: "Okay, Danny, you convinced me, it's settled."