After finalizing the framework for the Seattle SuperSonics trade, Lin Qi did not leave his desk.
He picked up his now completely cold coffee and took a sip. The bitter liquid flowed down his throat, keeping his mind clear. Next, he was going to operate on the most expensive and most reluctant part of the team.
Grant Hill, who just shone in the NBA Finals, announced his full recovery, and won the Finals MVP.
In normal business terms, the trade value of a 29-year-old, injury-free, top-tier ball-handling ability, and box office draw superstar wing player is immeasurable. If put up for auction on the open market, Boston could easily acquire two or three highly promising cornerstones for the team.
But Lin Qi knew very well that in his current situation, an "equivalent exchange" was simply impossible.
David Stern and those envious owners are pressuring him to dismantle the team and weaken Boston's strength. If he trades back a few young All-Star caliber players, Boston will still be the enemy of the entire league, and Stern will not let it go.
He was forced to "sell off" the team's immediate contributors at a bargain price. But Lin Qi's "selling off" never resulted in him losing out. While weakening the immediate contributors, he had to exchange them for extremely rich future assets, as well as political bargaining chips.
Lin Qi opened the phone book on the table and found the private number of Jerry Colangelo, the owner of the Phoenix Suns.
In the NBA, a circle of owners filled with nouveau riche and businessmen, Jerry Colangelo is a true legend. He was the chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, a position that lasted until 2005, and served as the general manager of the United States Men's National Basketball Team's National Team for a long time. His prestige in United States basketball even surpassed his status as a team owner. Even during the collective bargaining agreement negotiations, Colangelo was one of the few people who could gain the respect of both owners and players.
If they can gain Colangelo's favor and political endorsement, the resistance Dolan and Jerry Buss are facing in their "campaign against Boston " within the bosses' circle will be much smaller.
The phone was answered after ringing three times.
"Good afternoon, Lin Qi. Congratulations on winning four championships." Colangelo's voice carried an old-fashioned calmness and authority. He clearly knew Lin Qi's current predicament. "However, calling me at this time, you're not here to celebrate, are you?"
"Good afternoon, Jerry. You're one of the most respected seniors in the league, so I'll cut to the chase," Lin Qi said, getting straight to the point. "I'd like to make a trade with Phoenix."
"Tell me about it," Colangelo said cautiously.
"I sent Grant Hill to Phoenix."
On the other end of the phone, even Colangelo, who was used to seeing all sorts of things, couldn't help but pause for half a second.
Grant Hill! He's the Finals MVP who just dominated Game 7 and proved his Achilles tendon is fully recovered! The Suns need a perimeter star like him to pair with Tracy McGrady. If this trade goes through, the Suns will definitely have the strength to contend for the Western Conference title next season.
" Lin Qi, I know you're under pressure from the league office right now, and you have to get rid of some key players to quell public anger." Colangelo quickly regained his composure, revealing his shrewd side. "However, we, the Suns, don't have any players who can match Hill's trade value. Besides, our salary cap space can't accommodate his contract."
" Jerry, if I insisted you offer an equivalent star player, I would have called the Dallas Mavericks right now," Lin Qi said calmly. "I know you don't have enough cap space. To balance the trade, I'll take on Penny Hardaway's contract."
With a "clang," something seemed to fall onto the table from the other end of the phone.
Colangelo completely lost his composure. "You're going to take over Penny Hardaway?!"
In the summer of 2002, Anfernee Hardaway's situation with the Suns was not much better than that of Vin Baker. The former " Jordan successor" had his explosiveness completely destroyed by a series of knee surgeries. His salary for the following season was over $12 million, and he still had many years left on his long-term contract, making him the heaviest boulder in the Suns' salary structure.
"Trading a healthy Finals MVP for a completely ruined contract." Colangelo's tone was filled with disbelief. " Lin Qi, are you crazy? Or is the pressure Stern is putting on you really that much?"
"This is my sincerity, Jerry." Lin Qi went along with it, displaying his "compromise" to the fullest. "Once this trade is completed, Boston's strength will be greatly reduced, and the 'balance' the league wants to see will be achieved. And you will not only get rid of a heavy burden, but also gain a superstar who can lead you to contend for the championship."
"State your terms, Lin Qi." Colangelo was a decisive man; he knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. Lin Qi's offer of immediate combat power was clearly motivated by ulterior motives.
"First," Lin Qi said seriously, "If the New York and Los Angeles clubs try to bring up 'bribery' against me at the league's board meetings in the next few years, I need you to stand up and speak for Boston."
"Deal." Colangelo agreed without hesitation. As long as he could get Grant Hill, get rid of Hardaway, say a few fair words for Boston, and suppress Dolan, it would be a piece of cake for him.
"Second," Lin Qi stated his real demand, "I want the Suns' four unprotected first-round draft picks from 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.
It's another extremely demanding seven-year span, with four unprotected first-round picks.
But in Colangelo's view, the logic behind this trade is completely different from Seattle's. Grant Hill is a top-ten superstar in the league, and the Suns are aiming to "win now." In Colangelo's calculations, with Hill and McGrady, the Suns' record for the next few years will definitely be among the top in the Western Conference, and those first-round picks will most likely be late first-round picks after the 20th pick, which are not very valuable.
"Four first-round picks are too many, Lin Qi. You're hollowing out Phoenix's future," Colangelo countered habitually.
" Jerry, you know better than I how bad Hardaway's contract is," Lin Qi retorted. "Two of these four draft picks are used to offset bad contracts, and the other two are traded for a healthy Finals MVP. That's already a rock-bottom charity price."
After a brief but intense exchange lasting a few minutes, Colangelo finally succumbed to Hill's immense temptation and gave in.
"Alright, Lin Qi. Deal. I'll have the uniformed staff start drafting the transaction documents immediately."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Qi leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.
On the surface, he suffered a huge loss by trading a rising Finals MVP for a wasted Hardaway in an attempt to quell the league's anger. But in the long run, he won the game through sheer luck.
Not only did they receive the political endorsement of bigwig Jerry Colangelo, greatly alleviating external pressure during the offseason, but more importantly, they got four first-round picks.
Others may not know the Suns ' future, but Lin Qi knows it all.
In the coming years, Patrick ( Lin Qi's agent) will use a large sum of money to acquire the State of Arizona- based team.
Grant Hill is essentially just a player who moves between his own team and his own; this team will be under his control in the future.
At the same time, these first-round picks have become the fuel for Boston to maintain its dynasty in the future.
Lin Qi opened the drawer and locked the memo that had just recorded two earth-shattering transactions into the bottom safe.
[Transaction Summary]
Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns:
Celtics sent:
Grant Hill
Obtained from the Suns:
Anfernee Hardaway
2003 first-round draft pick
2005 first-round draft pick
2007 first-round draft pick
2009 first-round draft pick