Wang Yi pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's just pick a player who'd suit the Hornets. That way, when they try to squeeze us again, they won't dare go too far."
If they didn't pick a player the Hornets needed, then once the Hornets realized the Raptors were determined to get Zhang Yu, they would demand an outrageous price.
They might ask for Mad Tiger Tagore or Big Lock Rock.
Even though Zhang Yu's value was nowhere near equal to either of theirs.
But if they picked a point guard the Hornets needed, they could use that point guard in the trade.
If the Hornets still demanded Locke or Tagore as part of the deal, the Raptors could simply announce that they were walking away.
The Hornets would worry that if the Raptors really did back out, Zhang Yu would be stuck with them.
They had a glut of forwards, but not a single suitable point guard.
And if the trade fell through, they wouldn't get any other benefits from the Raptors, either.
That would only hurt them without helping them.
After going over all this in his head, Lowry said to Wang Yi with a helpless look:
"Fine. Then we can only pick a point guard. When it comes time to make the trade, they'll definitely ask for someone else, too. That way, they'll get the point guard they need and other benefits on top of it, while we'll be taking a loss. It's like letting them lead us around by the nose."
Wang Yi smiled. "Don't worry. I'll remember this."
Lowry immediately understood what Wang Yi meant and said with a laugh:
"You mean you'll get back at them later?"
Wang Yi's voice came through the phone. "I'll beat them up every time I see them!"
Even