the rest, only noise

Chapter 461 Who told me to hate the Celtics so much?
"Oh? Seriously?" Louis asked excitedly, who didn't want Wilkins at all, "I don't know what price we have to pay to get a superstar like Dominique?"

"Coach Lu, I said that this will be a deal that will benefit both of us. I will never ask for too much, so that you can't afford it or damage your combat power. I hate green as much as you do. I hope to see Boston collapse."

The hatred in West's tone was undisguised.

It's no wonder that he lost to the Celtics five times as a player, built a great team in the 80s, and then lost five consecutive finals, including the Celtics four times in a row.

He is not crazy so far, and there are no rumors about seeing a psychiatrist, which is enough to prove his big heart.

Louis asked, "Please tell me."

"Benjamin Wilson." West's words sounded like thunder in Louie's ear, "Coach Lu, I know Wilson is a future superstar, but he belongs to the future, and if you get Dominic, you can win the present."

Obviously, the Lakers have no confidence in the existing team.

Their only hope is to harvest another new star, and form another champion team to reach the top before the magician is completely old.

Therefore, West found the Knicks and proposed a very attractive deal.

"The salary doesn't match, right?" Louis asked with a smile.

"That's right, Coach Lu, I should have said that I'm willing to do my part to enable you to bring down the Celtics." West's next words were heart-warming, "For this reason, we are willing to take Artis Gilmore's contract."

In other words, one Wilkins, for Wilson + Gilmour.

Gilmour's annual salary reaches 80. Although he is a good backup center, 80 is too expensive. No matter how you look at it, it is a garbage contract.

The Lakers have achieved this level of sincerity in order to make this deal.

West is indeed courageous, and he does what he says. This is a deal that is beneficial to both parties.

It can also be seen that he really hates the Celtics.

"Jerry, I must solemnly reject you." Louis' answer was beyond West's expectations, "I like your idea and see your sincerity. You may not believe it, but in my eyes, Dominique Wilkins is not enough to compare with Benj."

West finally became anxious: "Coach Lu, these words are too arrogant! Dominic was selected to the second team last season and played back and forth with Larry in the finals, while Benjamin is just a rookie. He is far from Nick (nickname)'s opponent at this stage!"

"I agree with what you said. There is a gap in strength between the two at this stage. You also admit that Benj has a bright future. Therefore, we have no disagreement on this point." Louie said openly, "Your starting point is very accurate-to defeat the Celtics. This is what I want to do most now. I am willing to pay any price for it, but Benj is not included, especially Dominique Wilkins for this."

West asked incredulously, "Why?"

"If Nick can have a quarrel with Irvin, he can have a quarrel with anyone. I don't want to introduce a superstar with problems." Louie didn't let West explain. If he cannot survive, he will not be able to coexist with any leader, he can only become a leader by himself.”

"And I, I don't want a leader named Dominic Wilkins on my team."

It is often the champions themselves who beat the champions.

What breaks a team is always something that has nothing to do with basketball.

At this stage, Wilkins is stronger than Wilson. With him, the Knicks can indeed take a big step closer to the championship, but Louis is unwilling to destroy his vision for the future of the team.

That's it for Wilkins, and Wilson has an incredibly long future ahead of him.

He wanted West to know that his rejection of the deal had nothing to do with basketball.

"I see what you mean, Coach Lu." West seemed to be making a decision, and he didn't want to give up.

For this, he is willing to pay a greater price.

"Coach Lu, what if I raise our offer?"

"How else can it be improved?"

West gritted his teeth, as long as he can get Wilson, no matter what price the Lakers pay, it is worth it: "In addition to Dominic, we will also send this year's first-round pick, as well as the first-round pick of 1989, the first-round pick of 1991 and the first-round pick of 1993."

This bid made Louis open his mouth.

"You just need to give us another young player." West said frantically, "This young player is up to you to pick."

This means that in order to get Wilson, the Lakers have to send Wilkins and four future unprotected first-round picks.

Louis couldn't help laughing, he was shocked by the pride of the LOGO man, and he was more convinced of Benj's greatness.

What kind of person is the LOGO man?A person who can see Kobe's extraordinaryness at a glance, threatens the Warriors management with resignation not to trade Thompson for Love, and promotes the establishment of the Los Angeles Aircraft Carrier behind the scenes.
This kind of bidding has been completely reckless, almost insane.

Come to think of it, that's exactly West's style.

In 1996, Orlando snatched the Sharks with a top salary of 8000 million yuan and gave him [-] million yuan. Then, as a consultant, he suggested that the Clippers and the Thunder negotiated and sent a record number of first-round picks to get Paul George.

He's the kind of gambler who studs all his chips when he sees an opportunity.

But he knew that as long as he got the target, he would definitely bet right.

This time, his opponent thinks differently.

"Thank you, Jerry." Louie smiled. "Your crazy chips helped me secure Benj's future."

West asked weakly: "You still want to refuse?"

"Yes, but as far as Artis Gilmore's contract is concerned, I think there is still room for negotiation between us." Louis asked like a profiteer, "Are you interested in negotiating with me another deal that can make us mutually beneficial?"

West naturally became alert: "Tell me?"

"Before that, I want to confirm a piece of news." Louis asked, "Will Kareem retire early this summer?"

"Why do you say ahead of time?"

"Uh"

"Just tell me the answer directly."

"Unless someone offers him a seven-figure salary, he should retire."

Louis said with a smile: "In this way, objectively, you have the space to take Artis's contract?"

"No, because Dominic is still there." West still had resentment, "We can't eat Artis' contract."

"Don't worry, I can give you an idea about Dominique's contract. Let's talk about how you can get Artis' contract."

West listened carefully to Louis.

At first, he didn't take it seriously, but gradually, the plan proposed by Louis moved him.

When he talked about how the Lakers handled Wilkins' contract and how it benefited in the process, West was speechless.

These two transactions, on the one hand, are good for the Knicks in the short term, and on the other hand, they are good for the Knicks and the Lakers in the long run.

If the Lakers really intend to stop competing with the Celtics and tear down the team and rebuild, this is a plan that cannot be rejected.

However, the Knicks will take advantage of it.

West remembered that his crazy trading plan was rejected by Louis, but now he wants to agree to the trading plan provided by Louis?

After all, he had already given a plan for how to deal with Wilkins, and he agreed very much.He can accept Louie's suggestion, but he will not talk to the Knicks about trading Gilmour.

However, even if the Knicks will take advantage of some, the Lakers have a lot of benefits.

"Why should I promise you?" West asked.

"Because this is good for the Lakers." Louis pointed out with a smile, "You also said that you are willing to do your part to bring down Boston. If this sentence is true, I think you should not miss this opportunity. You can not only allow the Lakers to start rebuilding, but also strengthen our strength. Most importantly, you will see the Celtics feel anxious about this."

"To be honest, this deal is not necessary for us. I just don't want to let go of any opportunity to strengthen. If the Lakers are willing to help us, we will make this deal. If you are not willing, I will not force it." Louis said frankly, "We can cooperate next time."

Now, Jerry West knows why this young man with no roots in Boston was pushed to the head coach position by the old devil Auerbach at the age of 23.

Also understand why Auerbach regretted it after he left.

I also know why the New York Knicks, who were lost like the "Beat Generation" after the glory of the early 70s, rose rapidly within three years.

Little Lu is not only a natural head coach, but also a natural club manager.

West didn't know when Louis thought of these trading plans.

He couldn't have prepared in advance, because this transaction was a surprise attack by West.

In other words, based on the information provided by West, Louis judged that the Lakers were going to rebuild, and in the process of negotiating with him, he thought of how to deal with Gilmore's contract, and provided a plan for how the Lakers dealt with Wilkins that made West very excited.

What's even more outrageous is that this matter that seems to be only related to the Lakers can still indirectly bring long-term benefits to the Knicks.

"Coach Lu, those who call you Little Lu because you are young will be ruined by you sooner or later. You are not Little Lu. There is a cunning devil hidden in your young body." West let Louis see what religious derogatory praise is like, "You should be called imp (little devil)."

"I like this name, please help me promote it." Louis joked, and then turned the topic back, "Give me the final answer, Jerry."

West asked: "You have to give me another pick."

"Impossible, Jerry." Louis said, "For a 31-year-old veteran, I have sent two young players with great potential and a very valuable No. [-] pick. I can't give you more."

Almost 20 seconds of silence.

"Okay, let's make a deal." West had a smile on his face, "Who made me hate the Celtics so much?"

(End of this chapter)