The commotion surrounding the open tryouts gradually subsided as the media dispersed.
In the Celtics ' president's office, Lin Qi drew the blinds, shutting out the outside noise. On his desk, besides the rookie evaluation report he had just received, there was also an unmarked brown paper bag.
It was delivered by a private investigator he hired at great expense.
Recently, a rumor that seems like a complete fantasy has been circulating in the league...
Michael Jordan is about to make his second comeback, but his destination is not the Washington Wizards, where he currently serves as president of basketball operations, but the Los Angeles Lakers, who have O'Neal and Kidd and are coached by his mentor Phil Jackson.
Most people dismissed this as nonsense, and even Lakers beat reporters scoffed at it. But the investigation report on Lin Qi's desk clearly recorded several vague details: the Lakers ' owner, coach, and key players did indeed have extremely low-key secret meetings with Jordan.
Looking at the photos, Lin Qi picked up the landline on the table and dialed the Washington Wizards' president of basketball operations office.
He currently holds a stack of draft picks, including the 4th, 6th, and 10th overall picks. He wants to trade up to get the Wizards ' number one pick. But this phone call had a more important purpose: to test the waters.
If Jordan intends to stay with the Wizards and settle for a management role, he will definitely prioritize the team's interests and pursue maximum benefit when faced with tempting offers.
" Michael, this is Lin Qi." After the call connected, Lin Qi cut straight to the point without any pleasantries, "I heard your phones in Washington have been ringing off the hook these past few days. Name your price, how can I get that number one draft pick?"
Jordan's signature, slightly husky, deep voice came from the other end of the phone, accompanied by the soft click of a lighter lighting a cigar.
" Lin Qi, if it were anyone else calling, I would have hung up already. But since it's you..." Jordan exhaled a smoke ring, his tone calm and showing no intention of haggling, "I can tell you directly, we intend to keep this number one pick. The Chicago Bulls just asked me for Elton Brand, but I refused."
Lin Qi raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. " Brand? He's a star center who can average 20+10 per game, extremely strong immediately, and so young. Chicago is willing to give him up, and you actually refused? Why?"
"This is owner Abel Pollin's direct instruction." Jordan's voice sounded businesslike, with exceptionally tight logic. "You should understand, Lin Qi. Over the past two seasons, we've made too many moves with our roster—layoffs, buyouts—and our salary cap space has been completely locked up by that money."
Jordan flicked his cigarette ash and continued, "The owner doesn't want to take on any more players who are about to sign max contracts. Brand is good, but he's about to face rookie contract extensions. If we put a big contract on him and he gets injured like those big men, it would be financially devastating for a team like ours with such an unhealthy payroll. The risk is too great."
Lin Qi listened quietly.
"In contrast," Jordan's tone was very rational, "We used the number one pick to select a young player with a small rookie contract, well within the owner's financial safety net. Even if he doesn't live up to expectations, his contract will be easy to trade in the future, and it will definitely not put the team in a financial predicament."
Lin Qi leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
He had to admit that Jordan's words were reasonable and logically sound. From the perspective of a basketball operations president constrained by the owner's financial situation, the explanation was so perfect that Lin Qi couldn't find any fault with it.
But Lin Qi decided to give it another push.
" Michael, I understand your predicament. If it's about money, I have a better solution." Lin Qi leaned forward, offering a bargain that would drive any general manager crazy. "I can offer a lot of draft picks. I have the 4th, 6th, and 10th picks this year. You can use these three high picks to select three cheap rookies, or..."
Lin Qi.
Jordan cut straight to the chase, interrupting Lin Qi without room for argument, "I said, we intend to keep the number one pick."
A brief silence fell over the office.
There was no bargaining, not even a consideration of the pros and cons; it was just a cold, curt rejection.
"Alright." Lin Qi didn't press the matter further, giving in with a relaxed tone.
"Just asking casually," Jordan's voice sounded more relaxed on the other end of the phone, with a touch of casual conversation, "You're going through all this trouble to climb up, who are you planning to choose?"
Lin Qi looked at the names he had just written on the whiteboard, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
" Michael, you should know that Boston is aiming for a four-peat," Lin Qi said into the microphone, emphasizing each word. "I just traded away a center, so I need to use the number one pick to select a strong, immediately impactful center to fill the void. After the last NBA Finals, I felt we still needed to strengthen our frontcourt. I've got my eye on that Spain, Chris Paul Gasol."
On the other end of the phone, Jordan was silent for a second, then let out a low chuckle.
"A four-peat?" Jordan's voice suddenly revealed an extremely competitive edge, a glint of his former playing days. "I'm really looking forward to it."
"Beep... beep... beep..."
Jordan didn't say another word and hung up the phone immediately.
Lin Qi put down the receiver, looked at the call log on the landline, and the smile on his face gradually faded.
Everything became clear.
From the general manager's perspective, trading a top pick from a generally considered weak draft class for the 4th, 6th, and 10th lottery picks is an absolutely irresistible and risk-free deal. Especially considering how lacking in talent the Wizards are.
But Jordan didn't even want to talk about it.
That perfect explanation about "salary flexibility" and "boss instructions" was nothing more than an excuse to cover up his true intentions.
" Michael, oh Michael..." Lin Qi muttered to himself as he tossed the private investigator's brown paper bag into the drawer.
Jordan had no intention of staying with the Wizards long-term; he was truly preparing for a comeback, and it was highly likely that he would go to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The reason he rejected this irresistible offer, and the reason he hung up the phone immediately upon hearing "four consecutive championships" and " NBA Finals," was because, in the competitive heart of the God of Basketball, he no longer saw himself as part of the Wizards ' management team.
As a Lakers player, he prematurely cut off the Boston Celtics' path to strengthening their roster. He had no intention of sending any immediate contributors to Boston.
Because he has already made Boston, who are aiming for a four-peat, his ultimate hypothetical enemy after his comeback.