One Year Left to Play-Chapter 96 - 31: So Cunning It’s Almost Monstrous
David Stern loudly announced Zhang Hao’s name, using only the first tone, and upon hearing it was yet another high schooler, the venue was in uproar once more!
Earlier, when Garnett was selected at the 5th pick, the audience was already shocked once, now it happened again!
Another high schooler!
Regardless of the onsite situation, in the draft office, Logo Man couldn’t help but curse. The Brooklyn Nets actually snagged him at the 9th pick! Crazy!
He finally understood why the Nets declined the trade negotiation earlier, he thought it was because they already had Almon Gilliam and didn’t want a similar type like Sibaros, but it turns out they had the same strategy!
He assumed that even if a team wanted to bet on Zhang Hao, it would likely be in the mid-first round, around the 16th to 20th pick. He believed the 11th pick he secured was as solid as it could get.
Even this can be snatched!
Logo Man was still okay, but over at the Bucks, they were about to vomit blood. After receiving Logo Man’s offer, they didn’t pay much attention to who they’d pick with the first-round pick. Although they didn’t understand Logo Man’s thoughts, they believed Zhang Hao was a high school talent projected to jump significantly within the mid-first round, and they could surely get him with the 11th pick, using it in exchange for Sibaros, an All-Star level player in his prime, was profitable.
Currently, Zhang Hao’s prospect is akin to next year’s Jermaine O’Neal.
And then the Nets come out to stir things up!
Kupchak was completely unprepared for this situation, stunned, he looked at Logo Man and asked, "Jerry, what do we do? Still trade?"
This Mickey Mouse, usually looks smart, why is his reaction so slow when it comes to big matters?
Shaking his head: "Inform the Bucks to cancel the trade... compensate them, tell them Michael Finley from the University of Wisconsin is really good... but I doubt they’ll pick him, they lack the foresight. Forget them, just inform them."
Continue to build the network with the Bucks, he recommended a candidate, if they pick him and he turns out great, it’s compensation; if not picked and does well elsewhere, it shows his sincerity to the Bucks.
Now the situation is also confusing for Logo Man, after calming himself, he begins to calculate possible occurrences.
A few minutes later, Logo Man’s eyes lit up.
Seeing Logo Man’s expression, Kupchak, who just hung up the call with the Bucks, knew the other party had another plan.
Kupchak asked, "Are we offering a trade proposal to the Nets?"
"Of course, but I think they’ll decline. The Nets’ coach seems to be their former scout director, right? That guy loves to gamble."
"Yeah, a few years ago he helped the Nets draft several promising players in the first round." Kupchak didn’t ask why offer a trade knowing it’ll be declined, as he knew it’s part of Logo Man’s plan.
"That’s fine then, make the offer anyway, when they want to trade in the future, they’ll come to us."
"Will that kid struggle in the Nets?"
"No, that kid will surely perform well in the Nets, their point guard is Kenny Anderson, averaging over 9 assists for two consecutive years, he excels at collaborating with fast and shooting players."
"Then why?" Kupchak truly couldn’t understand Logo Man’s operation.
Kupchak is also quite talented, with excellent business acumen, but compared to Logo Man, he constantly feels intellectually suppressed.
"With a good point guard, an athletic talented shooter, in the East, this is to win games!"
"Win games... you mean..."
"You guessed it right, Mickey, that genius center from Wake Forest University can be utilized again; the previous promotion wasn’t strong enough, it needs to be such that all non-playoff-contending teams compete for him."
It’s the kind of appeal that makes teams eliminate any tanking influence just thinking about him entering the draft.
Coincidentally, that guy has the capability.
As long as this kid can perform, the faster he performs, the closer he gets to us...
Mickey, leave it to you."
Kupchak now fully understood Logo Man’s strategy, thinking of Logo Man’s extraordinary operational ability, Kupchak felt sorry for the Nets... yet simultaneously realized Logo Man is immensely intimidating.
One significant miscalculation, yet he swiftly thought of a way to exploit it.
The Nets indeed grabbed the player, but were used by Logo Man as a "testing agency," to test Zhang Hao, to cultivate Zhang Hao, and finally reap the rewards!
Thinking of how two years ago, after O’Neal’s freshman season ended, Logo Man targeted him, planning until next year...
Planning a talent on the Nets is challenging, but when it’s Logo Man’s plan, Kupchak feels it’s not so hard.
At this moment, Kupchak felt a slight fear! If he knew Chinese, his perception of Logo Man could be described with one word—
Intelligent to the point of being monstrous!
Logo Man felt Kupchak’s gaze, he liked such expressions, but he knew, Kupchak’s understanding wasn’t comprehensive...
Kupchak thought Logo Man was at the top layer, but in reality, he still hadn’t completely seen through.
...
Over at the 76ers, John Lucas could only feel regret, he truly saw talent in both high schoolers. Previously, he didn’t consider recommending Garnett because they already had Shawn Bradley, the tall and slim inside player, adding another Garnett would make the inside game very interesting...
Aside from the Lakers, Bucks, and 76ers, there’s another team’s management feeling confused.
