The free agency market opened with a bang in the summer of 2001 amidst a flurry of frantic phone calls from team managers.
The aroma of freshly brewed black coffee filled the air of the Boston Celtics ' general manager's office.
Lin Qi sat in a large leather chair, holding a newly drafted contract renewal agreement for a veteran player.
Veteran Ron Harper pushed open the office door. The guard, who had been with the team for three consecutive championships, draped a towel over his shoulder, looked at the contract extension that Lin Qi handed him, and shook his head with a smile.
"Lin, I appreciate your kindness." Harper pulled out a chair and sat down. "I didn't get much playing time last season, and I'm seriously considering retirement."
Lin Qi looked at the veteran who had made great contributions to the team, a hint of respect in his eyes. He didn't try to persuade him to stay, but instead stood up and shook hands firmly with Harper: "I respect your decision, Ron. The doors of Boston are always open for you. If you're interested in the future, there's always a place for you on the coaching staff."
After seeing Harper off, Lin Qi was just about to catch his breath when the private line on his desk rang.
The caller ID showed a familiar Texas number...
Gregg Popovich, head coach and president of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs.
" Gregg, the free agency period has only been open for five minutes, and you're already so eager to come to Boston to freeload?" Lin Qi pressed the speakerphone button, his tone teasing.
Popovich let out a very hearty laugh on the other end of the phone, " Lin Qi, let's not beat around the bush. I'll be blunt, I want Bruce Bowen."
Lin Qi narrowed his eyes slightly. Bruce Bowen's contract had one year left, expiring in the summer of 2002. As one of the league's top perimeter defenders, Bowen was an excellent asset that could be plugged into any team immediately.
" Gregg, Bruce is a crucial part of our wing defense, and he still has a year left on his contract," Lin Qi said calmly. "Why do you think I'd let him go right now?"
"Stop pretending, Lin Qi. I know your team's salary structure better than you do." Popovich's voice carried a seasoned insight. "You know very well that next summer, Chris Paul Pierce and Ben Wallace will be facing contract extensions. Your current salary cap simply doesn't allow you to retain your core players while also offering Bruce Bowen a long-term contract that matches his value."
Popovich paused, his tone hardening. "Since you can't keep him by next summer no matter what, and I'll even personally offer you a contract you can't match to snatch him away, it's better to trade him to me now while he still has a year left on his contract, in exchange for some assets."
After hearing this, Lin Qi couldn't help but let out a speechless sneer. This old fox, his scheme was so clever that it could be heard throughout Boston. He was using the threat of "you definitely won't stay next year" to drive down the price and force Boston to make a deal.
" Gregg, you've got a good plan, but you've got one thing wrong." Lin Qi tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his voice instantly turning cold. "Even if I can't re-sign Bowen next year, I still have a whole year to use him as a top-notch piece for the playoffs. And even if I were to trade him this summer, why would I specifically trade him to you?"
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.
" Bruce Bowen is one of the league's top 3-and-D players. At least a dozen teams across the league are willing to offer him very attractive trade assets." Lin Qi's tone carried a hint of condescension and pressure. "What can you offer? Even if you give me the Spurs ' draft pick next year, it's a bottom-of-the-first-round garbage pick, worthless to me. Why should I give such a useful wing defender to an opponent I'm very likely to face in the NBA Finals?"
Popovich was momentarily speechless. He knew all too well that what Lin Qi said was true. The Spurs had consistently maintained an extremely high winning percentage, and their first-round picks were always 25th or later, which was indeed like a double-edged sword for Boston, which had already accumulated a large number of draft picks.
"... Then what do you want?" Popovich took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure. He desperately wanted a perimeter defender like Bowen who could perfectly fit into the Spurs' system. With Bowen on the court, Tim Duncan's defensive pressure in the paint would drop dramatically.
"Two unprotected first-round picks. I want your 2003 and 2005 first-round picks, completely unprotected." Lin Qi demanded an exorbitant amount, without even blinking.
Popovich was breathing heavily on the other end of the phone, clearly going through an intense internal struggle. Bowen could immediately elevate the Spurs ' perimeter defense to a whole new level, but handing over two unprotected long-term picks meant completely handing over the team's future margin for error to the bloodsucking Boston team.
But the shrewd Popovich ultimately chose to believe in Tim Duncan's dominance, not believing that the Spurs would get a high draft pick during Tim Duncan's prime.
"... Unprotected in 2003 and 2005. Okay, I'll give it to you!" Popovich practically spat out the words, "Deal!"
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Gregg."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Qi moved Bowen's file off the table with satisfaction. Although they had lost a defensive stalwart a year early, Artest's maturity and Gerald Wallace's arrival were enough to fill the void.
[Transaction Summary]
Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs:
Celtics sent:
Bruce Bowen
Get it from the Spurs:
Unprotected first-round signing in 2003
Unprotected first-round visa in 2005
[Summary of Free Agent Signings/Departures]
Player departure: Ron Harper (considering retirement)