Chapter 502: with translation of chapter title

Brooklyn Nets became the biggest winner on this draft night, because within three minutes of unexpectedly obtaining Fan Xi's signing rights, they announced a trade that had already been agreed upon.

They sent out Gerald Wallace, Humphries, Joseph, Bogans, Marshon Brooks, the 2014 first-round pick, the 2016 first-round pick, the 2017 first-round swap rights, and the 2018 first-round pick.

They received Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, and DJ White.

This move directly locked up the Nets' future cap space, but they gained immediate impact. Although Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are older, they still possess elite skills and have rich playoff experience.

At this point, the Nets formed a super five-star lineup, adding Garnett and Pierce to the existing Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, and Brook Lopez.

If we also add the soon‑to‑join Fan Xi, wow!

This is practically a galactic warship.

Many Knicks fans in the arena let out desperate cries.

And the ESPN broadcast channel also began to lament, the Eastern Conference in the new season is going to go crazy. Will Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, under the leadership of Jieke Fan, fight their way back to the Finals? They had originally been completely dominated by Le Bu Lang Zhang Si.

At the same time, Fan Xi had already walked backstage.

The Nets' general manager approached him proactively, shook hands with Fan Xi, and expressed respect and appreciation for Fan Xi. He emphasized: 'This new season we will surely make a big splash, Jieke, the Nets' Finals MVP is waiting for you to raise it.'

He was friendly, expressing the team's sincerity that it would be led by Fan Xi.

Fan Xi gave a polite smile, shook hands, and embraced him.

He didn't say much more, unsure what would happen next. Because even while still on stage, he received a text from Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan, who in broken English told him: 'I am sparing no effort to get you.'

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan is undoubtedly a man of strong feelings.

If he weren't a man of strong feelings, he wouldn't have become a New York City‑sized spendthrift in his youth. Moreover, his indulgence of Isiah Thomas back then was simply unfathomable; he spent a huge amount of luxury tax yet never made the playoffs, and ultimately paid Isiah Thomas over ten million dollars in sexual‑harassment settlements.

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan did not want to repeat the mistake, regretting that he had not shown enough sincerity to Fan Xi during his rookie season.

Now, he has made all preparations.

The Russian oligarch was greatly surprised, and he countered Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan: 'What price are you willing to pay for a one‑year usage right of Jieke Fan?'

'What do you hope to get?' Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan asked him.

They were engaged in a tug‑of‑war at the limit.

'I need to sum it up.' The Russian oligarch hung up the phone.

He now holds the initiative.

He quickly met with the club members to discuss this matter; for him, he really didn't want Fan Xi that badly, after all, it was only a one‑year usage right. Fan Xi would leave immediately after playing that year… although the Nets are now frantically chasing a championship, sacrificing future flexibility.

But if he could snatch something from the cross‑town team, he would do so without hesitation.

The club's executives split into two factions.

One faction, led by general manager Fan Deweiqi, believed they should acquire Fan Xi, because Fan Xi together with Garnett, Pierce, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams would be enough to shake Miami's dominance in the Eastern Conference and even have a good chance of becoming champions.

However, the Nets' new head coach, Jason Kidd, had a different view.

Old Kidd said: 'Jieke Fan might not have chemistry with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Paul Pierce. One year is hardly enough to build a strong team culture; if the New York Knicks are willing to send out Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, or Tyson Chandler, why not trade with them? Trade veterans for a superstar in his prime.'

'We will win the future. Meanwhile, New York merely gets a one‑year usage right of Fan Xi.'

Jason Kidd did a simple math problem.

His idea convinced the boss.

The Russian quickly thought about how to execute it, and what price New York could bear.

Although Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan said he was willing to pay any price, everyone knows that the so‑called 'any price' is just talk; when the actual bill comes due, it becomes real.

'Tyson Chandler must be obtained; he is a top‑tier interior defender.' Jason Kidd said: 'If we can get Carmelo Anthony, that's best; if not, we'll take Amar'e Stoudemire. Even better, add Steve Nash.'

'But who would we give up for them?' Fan Deweiqi said.

'Joe Johnson, Lopez, Garnett… their salaries are comparable, and Deron Williams can work too.' Jason Kidd said.

'Can we also ask for two more draft picks? Our draft picks have already been overextended in the previous trade.' The Russian said.

Fan Deweiqi furrowed his brows and said: 'Boss, are we being a little too greedy?'

The Russian remained silent.

Then he quickly had Fan Deweiqi draft a trade proposal.

They used Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, plus Fan Xi's signing rights as chips to propose a trade to the New York Knicks, targeting Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Steve Nash, plus the 2014 first‑round pick.

This proposal was given to Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan.

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan didn't even think; he directly called Fan Xi.

Fan Xi was completely stunned; he never expected Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan to actually do this, to actually be willing to put up Carmelo Anthony, such a franchise cornerstone, an active NBA superstar, for a trade. I'm only here to play one year.

'I thought they would also want Amar'e Stoudemire.' Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan's plain words moved Fan Xi deeply.

Fan Xi suddenly felt a strong sentiment: treat me like a gentleman of the state, and I will repay you as a gentleman of the state.

After thinking, he told Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan: 'I am grateful for everything you have done for me. I can only tell you that if I do not help the New York Knicks win a championship, I will never return to Los Angeles.'

Worth it!

Upon hearing those words, Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan's hot tears were about to spill over.

His throat tightened a bit; this is what a true buddy is like.

He quickly said: 'Alright, I'll go work on Carmelo Anthony's mindset right away.'

Because Carmelo Anthony has a trade veto, he has the power to choose which team he likes.

The next day, Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan met with Carmelo Anthony.

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan got straight to the point; when he announced the trade, Carmelo Anthony flared up on the spot. He questioned Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan: 'You actually want to trade me for a one‑year usage right of Jieke Fan?'

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan was quite taken aback, and he countered Carmelo Anthony: 'Isn't it worth it?'

'Fine, I agree to this trade!' Carmelo Anthony agreed on the spot, and he added fiercely: 'I will definitely lead the Nets to win the championship first.'

Carmelo Anthony left Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan's office fuming; he had originally come here to listen to Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan's future plans, but instead he got a plan to trade himself away, and moreover to swap himself for the old timer next door and Fan Xi's one‑year usage right!

Anthony felt he had been trampled upon.

The superstar stormed off in a rage.

Three hours after he left.

A major trade announcement was made.

The Brooklyn Nets traded Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, and the signing rights to Fan Xi for Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, JR Smith, and the 2014 unprotected first-round pick.

This news literally dropped everyone's jaws.

Brooklyn actually had such audacity; they even traded Fan Xi without first contacting him, and it was with the same-city team.

And the Knicks went even bigger, directly trading their cornerstone Carmelo Anthony and defensive core Tyson Chandler to the Nets.

This trade was too shocking; its scale could be called the greatest in NBA history.

So, for a while the media dared not use any evaluation except explosive words.

This is merely a shocking trade; as for who profited and who lost in the trade,

the answer is still far off. Even fans of both teams don't know how to describe this trade.

From any angle, it looks like an equal-value trade.

"I'm very angry."

Kevin Garnett was the first party to speak up, saying: "The Nets didn't show the respect they should have; they traded me without ever communicating with me."

Garnett also had a trade veto as a superstar, but it was revoked after the previous trade was completed. So the Nets don't have to follow his opinion.

For Garnett, who still calls himself a superstar, this is a humiliation.

Garnett's joining the Nets was carefully considered, yet now he isn't even attending the Nets' press conference and will go straight to New York's press conference.

Although, from every angle, the Knicks are a better team than the Nets.

The Knicks are too rich, and their fan base in New York is excellent. Even if they've operated chaotically for ten years, they remain the league's most profitable team, even without making the playoffs.

Madison Square Garden is also considered the Mecca of basketball.

Any superstar wants to play at Madison Square Garden.

This brings many intangible benefits.

Garnett's anger now is essentially the petulance of a faded star.

So, rumors even surfaced that Garnett was seeking a buyout of his contract.

Interestingly, shortly after Garnett spoke up, James Dolan appeared in front of his own TV camera, still wearing that carefree, nonchalant expression, and said: "This trade was personally directed and supervised by me, so I controlled all the details myself. I'd give my own operation a 150 out of 100."

"What else could be criticized? We got Jieke Fan! The greatest NBA player of all time. Moreover, I thereby gained his friendship, which is already worth everything."

James Dolan spread his hands, saying proudly.

He seems like someone who speaks off the cuff, but he didn't reveal Fan Xi's private promise to him, nor did he say that Fan Xi promised not to leave if he didn't help the Knicks reach the Finals. Although saying that would make fans happier.

But, damn it, I'm friends with Jieke Fan—how could a friend do something that makes a friend uncomfortable?

Righteousness.

This is the creed of that prodigal son.

By the way, James Dolan also talked about other issues, saying: "Carmelo will be angry, but there's nothing to be done. He indeed hasn't accomplished anything remarkable with the Knicks; I wish him success with the Nets."

"If Kevin Garnett feels angry, that's none of my business. I merely accepted the Nets' list; if he doesn't want to play for the Knicks, I can understand. But I won't pay him a high buyout price, because I won't bring it up myself—I'm not a foolish person who just wastes money."

"I've heard of Joe Johnson; he's like a modern Jordan. I hope he becomes Scottie Pippen next to Jieke. Brook Lopez, I don't know much about him, but I hope he's doing well. Also, welcome them."

"If Jieke is willing, I'll certainly hold a grand press conference. But I probably won't be like Miami in 2010, which held a grand arena Three Giants meet-and-greet. After all, since then Miami hasn't had any celebrations."

James Dolan exerted his wealthy and carefree nature to the fullest.

In short, he revealed a mindset: "I'm just Jieke Fan's lackey; I made this trade for Fan Xi, and everyone else can go to hell."

No matter if you're a wolf king, a rising-star center, or a contemporary Jordan.

One must admit, once a person has money, they just do as they please.

Moreover, others still don't know how to criticize him.

A wealthy person full of flaws can instead gain unconventional respect.

At least, he is sincere toward Fan Xi.

New York fans think so.

New York media also thinks so.

Of course, Fan Xi also thinks so.

James Dolan, indeed is a good person.

No matter what others say about him, he is genuinely good to himself.

…