Pick Westbrook

Chapter 445

New Orleans, Lee's office.

Raptors general manager Ujiri and Cavaliers general manager David Griffin were a little surprised why Li Lai's office was so shabby.

Except for the tactical blueprints hanging all around to prove that this is Li Lai's office, the rest looks like an ordinary room.

Ujiri wondered why the Pelicans had Cavaliers general manager David Griffin in the room with him.

Even if the management of several teams is invited to meet, they should come one by one.

Such behavior is a bit too abnormal.

Li Lai looked at David Griffin who had the same emotion, smiled and said, "Leonard has already won the FMVP and also won the DPOY."

"Everyone knows that he is already a superstar in the league, even among the top five players."

"So one DeRozan is not enough, one Andrew Wiggins is not enough."

David Griffin smiled lightly, he finally understood what Li Lai wanted to do.

This is to specially call Ujiri and him together for an on-the-spot price increase and competition, and it depends on which of the two has the higher chip.

"Except for Irving, the Cavaliers can give any chips, this is our attitude."

David Griffin put his hands on the table and shrugged.

Ujiri said that Leonard is bound to win, not to be outdone: "At this point, the Raptors have already stated that we can pay anything to get Leonard, including accepting Lewis' contract."

Hearing this, David Griffin frowned slightly.

The Pelicans aim to win the championship, so they naturally hope to get rid of Lewis's junk contract, but the Raptors can stand up to deal with this contract, but the Cavaliers absolutely cannot.

Because their goal next season is also to compete for the championship.

Seeing David Griffin's embarrassment, Ujiri raised his hands and smiled triumphantly.

Li Lai lowered his head and tapped on the table, then looked up at the two of them and said, "It's still not enough!"

"what!"

David Griffin and Ujiri were shocked to hear that at the same time.

Although the Cavaliers and Raptors are not as rich and powerful as the Knicks, they can get a lot of chips for draft picks.

But one of the two teams took out the No. [-] pick + all available draft picks, and the other is willing to give the head star DeRozan + all draft picks, and is willing to accept a premium contract.

Such a bargaining chip can almost be regarded as a family fortune, and Leonard only has a one-year contract, and the renewal status next year is not clear at all.

"Coach Li Lai, you are a bit of a bully!"

Ujiri said a little angrily.

David Griffin held his breath, wanting to see what Li Lai was going to say.

Li Lai raised his hand to signal Ujiri to calm down first, and then said: "I know that you have all given your own attitudes. This is the reason why the Pelicans are only willing to negotiate with you among many teams."

"But he is Leonard after all. To be honest, the Spurs and Clippers in the West also want Leonard very much, and are even willing to give them better bargaining chips than you."

"But I refused, presumably you all know the reason."

"So Leonard will only be traded to the East."

"As for Leonard's contract renewal, which you have always been concerned about."

"With all due respect, he is still a restricted rookie, and the right to match will remain in your hands with the transaction."

"Even if he doesn't want to stay in the team in the future, you still have the matching right to sign first and then change. At that time, the transaction value of a 4-year contract will be much higher than the current 1-year transaction value."

"So, trading Leonard, the Pelicans will only lose money."

David Griffin has seen Li Lai's success in charge of the Bucks and Pelicans with his own eyes, and originally thought there was a lot of luck in it.

But now it seems that Li Lai has a very good understanding of player transactions and rules, and even basketball fanatics Cuban and Ballmer can't do it.

David Griffin finally spoke up and said, "So what do you want?"

Ujiri also looked at Li Lai curiously.

"I want DeRozan and Andrew Wiggins!"

Hearing David Griffin and Ujay peeping at each other, they said in unison: "You want a three-way deal?!"

Li Lai nodded and said: "I just want DeRozan and Andrew Wiggins. As for the potential rookie Dion West and the draft picks added by the Cavaliers, Jonas Valanciunas and the draft picks added by the Raptors right, I don’t want any.”

"At this point the Pelicans are at a disadvantage."

"Because whether it is Dion West + draft picks or Jonas Valanciunas + draft picks, they are all very high-quality chips."

"I'm giving up the value of that part completely."

David Griffin and Ujiri looked at each other again.

In other words, the Pelicans changed from getting DeRozan + a lot of chips from the Raptors to DeRozan + Andrew Wiggins, or from the original Andrew Wiggins + Dion West + a lot of chips, turned into Andrew Wiggins + DeRozan.

Moreover, Li Lai has no plans to let the two of them eat Lewis's junk contract. Strictly speaking, the Pelicans did not take too much advantage of the two, and this kind of operation is also in line with the Pelicans' current team building ideas.

The idea of ​​the Pelicans wanting to hit three consecutive championships and become a dynasty team has long been known.

This means that David Griffin and Ujiri have to think about who wants Leonard.

David Griffin said first: "No matter what chips the Pelicans want, the Cavaliers' chips will not change. We are still willing to give all the chips we can."

"But we want Leonard."

Ujiri was stunned, and was about to say that he also wanted Leonard, after all, there is no face in using small change.

Li Lai suddenly said, "What if the Raptors get Leonard?"

“这些年你们不是被热火队4:0，就是被尼克斯队4:0，要不被其他队4:0。”

Ujiri looked at Li Lai with some embarrassment, and the other party smiled and continued: "Although the words are a bit harsh, but are you willing to listen to me, Ujiri?"

Ujiri knew the rumors that the Kings could quickly complete the reconstruction, reach the playoffs and even become the hottest team in the West, among them was Li Lai's suggestion.

The Big Three combination of James Harden + Paul George + Warcraft Howard really attracted attention at the beginning of last season.

Even the owner of the Kings announced this matter to the outside world, and there should be no falsehood.

So at this time, Ujiri looked at Li Lai curiously and said, "All ears."

Li Lai nodded and said, "Based on the current team building policy of the Raptors, how far can Leonard go in the Eastern Conference?"

"There's a Knicks in the East, a Heat, a Chicago Bulls and an Eagles."

"Of course, there may be an additional Cavaliers team with Kyrie Irving + Leonard."

"Listen to me, if the current team wants to make a difference in the playoffs, at least it must be a double-star or even a Big Three team."

"Otherwise there is no competition."

"Leonard's exchange for DeRozan is not just an extra DeRozan with better defense."

Ujiri couldn't help but think of the scenes of the Raptors being beaten by the Bucks and Cavaliers in recent years. In fact, these two teams do have a large number of star players.

Westbrook, Curry, Yi Jianlian, Cousins, Jeremy Lin, James, Bosh, Wade.
Ujiri suddenly thought of something, looked up at Li Lai and said seriously: "What's the use of me taking these draft picks, the Raptors don't have a good draft team at all."

David Griffin and Ujiri both looked at Li Lai tacitly at this time, and the latter couldn't help but smiled and said, "The players I selected have a high success rate."

"However, no one can guarantee that it will be successful. After all, it is like scratching the lottery."

Ujiri was as courageous as he was in his previous life when he traded Leonard and Gasol. At this time, he stood up decisively and said: "As long as you can give me some suggestions, we will handle this matter today."

A few hours later, Li Lai dismissed David Griffin, who spread his hands in displeasure and left helplessly.

Ujiri came over, and Li Lai whispered: "Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Porzingis."

(End of this chapter)