The Godfather of Basketball

But it's easy to understand. The Nets are a New York team. It's really much better than the Knicks next door, and they just lack a super giant.

Irving's application for a trade caused a shock in the league and made the free market more lively.

Not only Irving mentioned those interested teams, but other teams are asking the Cavaliers.

At this moment, Jones also made new progress.

Paul is more inclined to join the Nets. If possible, he can choose to execute the contract and then trade with the Nets. This will allow the Nets to have more room to operate in the free market.

Mountain darkly, vista.

With two top point guards interested, the Nets have turned around this time.

But this also threw Tang Tian a difficult problem, he had to choose one.

Although the Nets have the space to eat these two point guards together, it is a waste to sign two top point guards when there is only one ball.

This time Tang Tian only chatted with Jones alone.

The two analyzed the advantages and disadvantages, and it was basically clear.

The advantage of Irving is that he is younger and has potential to be tapped, and the contract is relatively cheap, and there are still 2 years of cheap contracts available, which will give the Nets more room to operate in the future.

His shortcomings are also obvious. Defense seems to be a problem, and his experience is almost there.

Paul has more experience and stronger combat power. If Irving is a quasi-superstar level, then Paul is a real superstar.

His weakness is that he is too old, and it is easy to lock up the future reinforcement space of the Nets.

At the end of the chat, the two people had basically reached an agreement.

If you want to beat the current Warriors, the Nets lineup may not be something that can be done in one season. It will take a process, but signing Paul obviously cannot wait. It is very likely that it will not be successful in one or two seasons. It becomes a garbage contract.

In contrast, Irving, Booker and Jokic will have a higher degree of overlap in their peak periods, and the possibility of defeating the Warriors will be higher.

Unlike the Rockets in the previous life, the Rockets already have a super giant like Harden, but the Nets don't.

If Irving can be traded, it will be a more beneficial choice for the Nets.

And Paul has always insisted on signing and changing. Even if he doesn't jump out of the contract, the Nets will have to send Yi Jianlian or Tucker in order to balance the salary. It is not worthwhile to sacrifice competitiveness in order to fulfill Paul's reputation.

After making the final decision, Tang Tian asked Jones to contact the Cavaliers first.

They and Irving are interested in each other and there is no guarantee that the deal will be formed. It may even be because Irving's designated team has the Nets, the Cavaliers are likely to refuse to trade Irving to the Nets.

Naturally, I can't fulfill your wish for the transaction you proposed.

After initial communication between Jones and the Cavaliers management, the two sides agreed to meet at a coffee shop in New York.

The Nets are interested in Irving, and the Cavaliers also need to make changes in order to retain James, and the Nets also have players that the Cavaliers want, which is why the two sides can sit down and negotiate directly.

There were six people in total.

For the Nets, Tang Tian brought Jones and the deputy general manager Joseph.

On the side of the Cavaliers, the former general manager David Griffin failed to reach a contract extension with the team. It was the Cavaliers' deputy general manager Kobe Altman, his assistant Charles, and another person who had some problems. Unexpectedly, Cavaliers owner Gilbert also came.

Tang Tian had some entanglements with Gilbert before, but after all, five or six years have passed, and he has long since forgotten it.

At this moment, the two met again as business partners, and when they shook hands, they smiled tacitly, more like two old acquaintances.

After the simple greetings, the two sides quickly got to the point.

"Irving is a very capable player and is also very important to the Cavaliers. If he hadn't applied for a trade, we would not have considered putting him on the trade shelf." Altman said.

Both Jones and Tang Tian nodded. These are some official words. Although David Griffin was the one who wanted to trade with them in the draft, it is impossible for Altman not to know. Get more bargaining chips in the transaction.

"Let's make a price directly." Tang Tian said, and he didn't want to make more circles.

Altman is only 34 years old. According to the news, he is likely to become the new general manager of the Cavaliers. If he succeeds, he will become the youngest general manager in the league together with Joe Horst of the Bucks.

He glanced at Griffin at this moment, saw the latter nod, and then said: "We hope to trade Jimmy Butler and Rondae Hollis Jefferson with Irving."

Irving traded for Butler and Jefferson Jr., with the same chips as in the draft.

Butler is a swinging forward, whether he is playing 2 or 3, he can play with James.

As for Jefferson Jr., he has potential both offensively and defensively. This is the young player the Cavaliers want.

"Jimmy is not for sale." Jones had communicated with Tang Tian before he came, and he knew the bottom line very well, so he said directly now.

"I know you are chasing Gordon Hayward. If the pursuit is successful, do you want to let Devin Booker play as a substitute? I think this deal is the most suitable for both of us." Altman He hadn't officially taken office yet, so he naturally wanted to show off in front of the boss, and there was no intention of giving in in his words.

"Devin Booker is perfectly capable of playing the role of the sixth man. Mr. Altman doesn't need to worry about this. Our proposal is to use Deron and Jefferson Jr. as the main body, and we will switch from front to back." Jones continued. .

"Deron?" Altman obviously did not expect so many Nets, he turned to look at Gilbert.

Gilbert nodded, motioning for Jones to continue.

"Deron's immediate combat power is better than Irving's. He also proved that he can kill the Warriors very well in the playoffs. We can persuade him to sign a slightly lower than the maximum salary, or a long-term player with a player option. John, then add Jefferson Jr., trade for Irving."

"Deron is so good, why don't you stay by yourself?" Altman asked.

"Our lineup, even if we keep Deron, proved last year that we can't beat the Warriors, but you are different, you have LeBron." Jones said a little skinny.

"Deron's salary is too high, we can't afford it." Altman waved his hand.

"We can consider accepting a garbage contract from you, but you have to send us a first round." Jones replied.

Deron's salary will be more than 30 million, Irving's is more than 19 million, and there is a difference of about 11 million in the middle. The Cavaliers have a lot of junk contracts, including Shumpert, JR Smith and Tristan Thompson.

The proposal that Jones said is equal in salary, and the Cavaliers have already exceeded the salary cap. This is the only way they can sign Deron.

Altman didn't speak anymore, he turned his head and looked at Gilbert, the boss is here, so naturally it's not his turn to make a decision.

Gilbert seemed to be thinking about it and kept silent.

"Daniel, let's keep it simple. Deron will be a good reinforcement for the Cavaliers and the key to keeping LeBron. We are also old acquaintances. I can make some concessions. I don't want the first round that Case said just now. It is." Tang Tian said at this time.