Chapter 395: Draft Night

Fan Xi knows nothing about Lillard; in fact, he has no interest at all in this year's draft because he doesn't want to invest too much in it, feeling the team already has enough players to develop and that biting off more than one can chew.

But Ku Pu Qie Ke is eager to introduce this currently underrated hidden gem, believing Lillard will fall to the sixteenth pick.

Because Lillard is an older rookie and not tall.

Fan Xi watched Lillard's highlight reel for a while; he is a guard with extremely strong ball‑handling and shooting, an offensive type.

Fan Xi thinks he doesn't suit Kuaisuan, because Kuaisuan doesn't need a guard with a strong scoring desire.

Fan Xi now needs a guard like Jason Kidd—low offensive drive but very strong defense and excellent playmaking.

Yet in today's league such players are few; he asked Ku Pu Qie Ke where such a player could be found.

Then Ku Pu Qie Ke said: What do you think of Lubbio?

Lubbio?

Fan Xi hadn't processed it yet.

Ku Pu Qie Ke added: He's the European Golden Boy, drafted in 2009, only came to the NBA last year. A Spanish team's prodigy guard. His offensive ability is average, his penetration is ordinary, but his court vision is very strong and his playmaking is excellent.

"But now he's probably the Timberwolves' rebuilding core; the Timberwolves may not trade him."

Ku Pu Qie Ke started to back off.

Fan Xi said: Not necessarily; you call the Timberwolves' GM and ask how we can get Lubbio.

Ku Pu Qie Ke frowned, thinking that asking that would get him scolded by the Timberwolves.

Yet under the boss's order, he still dialed the number.

After the line connected, Ku Pu Qie Ke made his trade request, which left the other side silent.

But after twenty‑ or thirty‑seconds of silence, the other side didn't scold him; they said they would study it.

To study it means there is hope.

At that moment, Fan Xi seized the chance: "After the lottery portion of the draft is finished, we will terminate the trade. Our trade package can be all four of our draft picks to you."

Fan Xi gave the other side no time to think or retort; he hung up.

Ku Pu Qie Ke stared dumbfounded; he hadn't imagined such a trade, and it was clean and decisive.

It's probably because desirelessness makes one firm.

Fan Xi doesn't have to get Lubbio at any cost, even though Lubbio is the European Golden Boy and had a huge reputation before the draft. Fan Xi had heard of Lubbio's name back then. At that time, Lubbio was regarded as Europe's basketball hope; he turned pro at a very young age, made the best lineup, and even recorded a super quadruple‑double in an international tournament. At 18 he represented the national team and played a close game against the Dream Team at the Olympics.

But after the draft Lubbio lingered in Europe for two more years; when he entered the NBA he was already 21, older than Fan Xi.

Moreover, his style is very seasoned, so his upside is limited.

His whole career can only aim for an All‑Star; no chance to become a star, let alone a super‑star.

The Timberwolves understand this as well.

Kuaisuan has four draft picks this year, which is very tempting. Especially in this year's draft climate—a weak draft year—many teams are picking randomly, so the difference between early and late picks is small, and there is a high chance to snag the best player of this class later on.

After the Timberwolves' GM hung up, they quickly discussed and reported the matter to the boss. The boss took it seriously, convened a meeting, and then asked Kevin Love for his opinion.

Kevin Love agreed with this split‑up approach; his chemistry with Riddno is better.

Moreover, he said he needs someone to do the dirty work in the paint for him.

Who is it?

The answer points to Kuameibulang.

Trade Lubbio for Kuameibulang, plus four draft picks.

Even they think the lion is opening its mouth wide.

Kuameibulang's performance last season was too tempting; he even scared the Beast, and his efficiency was very high.

However, based on the team boss's request and their craving for Kuameibulang, they quickly called Kuaisuan, and negotiated.

Fan Xi heard that the Timberwolves want Kuameibulang.

He was instantly troubled.

Although Kuameibulang is destined not to stay, trading him like this still makes him sad. He hasn't yet the iron heart of a businessman.

So he told the Timberwolves' GM: "You need to persuade Kuameibulang and his agent; I can give you their phone number."

Fan Xi acted swiftly.

And the Timberwolves were delighted; they quickly contacted Kuameibulang's agent.

It went smoothly, because they promised that after the trade they would immediately complete a three‑year, $33 million early extension with Kuameibulang.

Then the trade moved into the actual execution stage.

Ku Pu Qie Ke was haggling with the Timberwolves.

The final result: Kuaisuan sent Kuameibulang, Rashid Wallace's remaining contract that had been bought out, plus this year's four draft picks, to acquire the Timberwolves' Ricky Lubbio, a $1 million cash exception, and the Timberwolves' next year's first‑round pick.

The trade is reasonable.

Both sides get what they need.

Only Fan Xi hadn't expected Kuameibulang to leave so quickly.

Yet they part on friendly terms; Kuameibulang got fame, money, and a championship. Kuaisuan owes him nothing, and his effort received abundant reward.

Seeing Fan Xi a bit down, Ku Pu Qie Ke couldn't help to comfort him: "It's okay, Jie Ke. At least we solved the point‑guard issue now. Besides, a team can't have two water‑goods at once. One water‑good #2 came, losing a water‑good #1 is reasonable."

Ku Pu Qie Ke's words made Fan Xi snort a laugh; it was a cold joke.

David Stern announced on TV that after the New Orleans Pelicans used the first pick on Anthony Davis, the trade was quickly revealed: Kuaisuan traded Kuameibulang and four draft picks for the Timberwolves' Lubbio, a cash exception, and next year's first‑round pick. (Top‑five protected, meaning if the Timberwolves land a top‑five pick, the pick rolls over to 2013, and then becomes top‑three protected; if they land a top‑three in 2013, Kuaisuan gets the Timberwolves' 2014 pick, even if they get the #1, it must go to Kuaisuan. The Pistons got the 2003 second pick this way. In the end they selected a water‑good.)

The announcement left many teams stunned.

Did Kuaisuan just finish their draft conference like that? They had four picks and gave them all to the Timberwolves? The Timberwolves get Kuameibulang, so they'll definitely make the playoffs next season; then isn't that just an ordinary first‑round?

Kuaisuan has Fan Xi, Nash, Bilupusi, Arenas, and even trades for Lubbio—why?

Speculation erupted instantly.

Everyone originally thought Kuaisuan would go all‑out at this year's draft, after all they harvested two star prospects last year; this year they just didn't play.

Jieke Fan's thinking really is hard for ordinary people to grasp.

After the trade was officially announced, Fan Xi stretched lazily; he wasn't interested in the televised draft at all.

Fan Xi is extremely focused; his mind doesn't waste on things he isn't interested in. Therefore, he can always accomplish great things.

Next, tonight Kuaisuan has only one job left: to send Wen Si Ka Te to the team he wants—Orlando or Dallas.

Ku Pu Qie Ke had already been in contact with them beforehand.

Fan Xi stood up and left, letting Ku Pu Qie Ke handle it.

When Fan Xi drove home, he turned on the TV and saw the news: Wen Si Ka Te was sent to Dallas, exchanged for Deng Tai Qiong Si.

The deal doesn't affect Kuaisuan much; it merely fulfills Wen Si Ka Te's wish. Deng Tai Qiong Si is a bit younger than Wen Si Ka Te and not as versatile, but his defense is stronger; he's a ferocious‑dog type defender who makes his NBA place through defense. He has a good reputation in Memphis and Indiana—like stepping on Kobe, elbowing Anthony, flipping Roy, and so on.

Deng Tai Qiong Si's whole career is basically that of a defensive workhorse, wandering everywhere and ready to plug in anywhere. (The two biggest news items of his career involve two men: one is the Kobe‑stepping incident, the other is his 2016‑17 stint with the Cavaliers, where he worked diligently, played few minutes on a minimum salary, earning just over nine thousand dollars. Yet because he served as James's armed guard, he often drew technical fouls, resulting in fines of dollars. James promised in the media to cover them, but ultimately didn't.)

With these two trades completed, Kuaisuan's roster for next season is taking shape.

Center: De An De Lu Qiao Dan, Da Ke Mili Xiqi, Ha San Huai Te Se De.

Power forward: De Ke Nuo Wei Si Ji.

Small forward: Ji Mi Ba Te Le, Ke Huai Lun Na De.

Shooting guard: Gilbert Arenas, Deng Tai Qiong Si, Han Mi Er Dun.

Point guard: Fan Xi, Li Ji Dai Wei Si.

There are currently eleven. According to NBA rules, a team can sign up to fifteen players, but only thirteen can be activated per game.

After draft night, the media added more voices of pessimism.

Because Kuaisuan announced that same night that Mili Xiqi and Huaiti Seda each signed three‑year contracts.

And the news that Si Di Fen Na Shi joined the New York Knicks was also released, plus Ge Lan Te Xi Er and Yao Ming retired, the key interior player Kuameibulang was traded, and the wing addition Wen Si Ka Te also flew away.

People think Kuaisuan's strength has declined.

【71】 Whether the paint, the wing, or the arc top, it's weakened across the board.

Whether it's the forbidden zone, the flank, or the arc top, everything is comprehensively weakened.

American media even seem to take perverse pleasure in the disaster.

…

Fan Xi is accustomed to this media tone; it can't affect him, let alone his morning trip to Si Jia Li's mansion and his afternoon movie with Sai Lin Na at a hotel.

His schedule is packed.

His current focus is the national team; he needs to submit a player list before this weekend. His opinion will be very important, even could be said to become the final outcome.

Because Fan Xi will also be the biggest person responsible for this team. (Reading a book.)

If the national team performs poorly in London, the high‑expectation fans won't blame others; they'll only criticize Fan Xi.

So Lu Yuan even said there's no need to gamble on this. They're already NBA champions; playing for the national team, a win is taken for granted, a loss would hurt commercial value.

But Fan Xi choked him with a single sentence: "You don't understand."

After next weekend in the U. S., Fan Xi will head to Asia; in Lu Yuan's words, it's the start of a money‑making trip.

But for Fan Xi, there's a more important task: he must stay in South Korea for a week, after all, he has a close female confidante there.

Moreover, South Koreans have been looking forward to him representing the Korean men's basketball team, after all he's a national son‑in‑law, right?

When Fan Xi entered training camp, Yao Ming asked him, "Yesterday you didn't pick a single rookie; you really kept your cool!"

Fan Xi smiled and said, "How about Lu Bi Ao? You faced each other at the Olympics."

"You have to ask Lao Liu and Xiao Chen," Yao Ming said, pointing at Liu Wei and Chen Jianghua.

They both gave very high evaluations.

Fan Xi laughed, "That's good, that's good."

Later, Yao Ming went to the corner and asked Fan Xi, "Do you have a list in mind now?"

Fan Xi nodded and said, "Got it."

However, he was a bit uneasy. He said, "It might differ somewhat from the public consensus."

Then, he whispered his list to Yao Ming.

Yao Ming was indeed startled.

He hadn't expected it.

It's revolutionary; many veteran contributors didn't make it, nor did current‑age stars.

"No changes?" Yao Ming asked.

"Probably not any more," Fan Xi nodded.

Yao Ming fell silent.

"Or, you could drop me too," Yao Ming suddenly said.

Fan Xi said, "That won't do; you're a key asset, we can't let you go."

Yao Ming remained completely silent.

…