Chapter 285: Crazy Clippers?
At the suggestion of Li Cai at the beginning, Da Yao contacted the Bucks and prepared to exchange Jordan Jr. for Brother Alphabet.
If it is a single exchange, it is naturally impossible, after all, the salary does not match, and it is natural to need draft picks to add to it.
Although Jordan Jr. is in a contract year, he is a top blue-collar after all, and he is the rebounding king of last year's 13-14 season, which is naturally not cheap.
But the Bucks are very crowded on the front line, and half of the positions on the front line are in the squad of more than a dozen, how to play.
Even Brother Alphabet, who is suitable for playing the small forward position, could only play point guard last season.
This also led to Antetokounmpo's performance terrible, he can break through, he can pass, he can't shoot, he can't open up space, the opponent can shrink in the penalty area, completely useless.
It's just that Brother Alphabet has strong physical fitness and potential for all to see, and the Bucks will not let him go easily, if it weren't for the Clippers trading Jordan Jr., they would still plan to spend time cultivating Brother Alphabet.
It's just that the Bucks, like the Clippers, have been acquired and changed hands, although they are not as rich as the Clippers, but they also want to enter the playoffs and become a strong team.
After all, in 12-13 years, I finally entered the playoffs, but I didn't get into it last year, and after changing the new owner, the team naturally wants to enter the playoffs, so Jordan Jr.'s interior power is naturally the first choice, not to mention that the Bucks' interior line is not strong.
It's just that there is a problem with this deal, and it can be said that the only obstacle is Jordan Jr., because the Bucks are worried that Jordan Jr. will not renew his contract next season, because at the end of this season, Jordan Jr. will be completely free.
The management of the Clippers communicated with Jordan Jr. again, and Jordan Jr. weighed the pros and cons and found that the Bucks lineup was not bad, and he could get more playing status, play better data, and even become the boss of the team, after all, in the Clippers, Jordan Jr. is the third, not even two or two, so he is willing to go to the Bucks and renew his contract in the coming year.
It's just that in Li Cai's view, the Bucks are expected to suffer a big loss next year, and with the title of "Joe Shouxin" in Jordan's previous life, this kind of verbal contract is easy to backlash.
However, what does this have to do with the Clippers? Anyway, it's not themselves who are pitted, and the Bucks are pitted, and they can only blame Jordan Jr., after all, he promised it.
So, on January 7, in this trade, the Clippers got Antetokounmpo, as well as Zaza Pachuria, John Henson and a second-round pick, while the Bucks got Jordan Jr. and Jarred Dudley.
John Henson and Zaza Pachulia can be considered additions in this trade, John Hansen played 70 regular-season games for the Bucks last season, averaging 26.5 minutes per game, 11.1 points and 7.1 rebounds, similar to Jordan Jr., a blue-collar player, poor jump shot and free throws, but not bad.
As for Zaza Pachuria's mid-range range, bounce affects finishing, can pass the ball in the high post, and has excellent defense in the low post, but he won't block, and he is balanced offensively and defensively, which is completely different from John Hansen, the final year of the 15-16 season is a team option, and the Clippers can choose to cut him.
But the Clippers' real target was Brother Alphabet, who had a mess of stats last season, and he got his wish.
After this deal appeared, other teams thought that the Clippers were crazy about the trade between the Clippers and the Bucks, and they would actually trade Jordan Jr., one of the big three on the team.
Although the Clippers still have the "white side" Whiteside, who was signed on the floor salary in the summer free market, and Zaza Pachulia and John Hansen, who have just been traded, can they compare with Jordan Jr.?
In the eyes of outside fans and media, the Clippers are digging their own graves, after all, Jordan Jr. has proven himself last season, and he has won the honor of rebounding king, and the "white edge" Whiteside signed by the Clippers can only mix with China's CBA last season, which can be said to be a marginal figure.
As for Zaza Pachulia and John Hansen in exchange, the outside world is even more unoptimistic, thinking that it is similar to Whiteside, who signed with a base salary, but the price is a little higher.
In the eyes of the outside world, this transaction is that the Clippers want to bet on the talent of Brother Alphabet, and use Jordan Jr., who has proven his strength, to exchange for Brother Alphabet who has not yet played.
Many people are not optimistic, Brother Alphabet does have potential, but many people have not played in the NBA, even if Brother Alphabet has the possibility of becoming an all-round playmaker like James and Durant, and even some of his talents are better than James.
The monster can dunk under the basket in three steps from outside the three-point line, and few people have been able to do it since the NBA existed.
It's just that the Bucks are now playing him as a point guard, you must know that Brother Alphabet has grown to 208CM now, and next season it will rise to 211CM in shoes, and his arm span will be close to 225CM, and his figure is similar to Durant.
THE 211CM HEIGHT TO PLAY POINT GUARD, CAN BE SAID TO BE THE LEAGUE'S TALLEST POINT GUARD, PLAYING MISALIGNMENT IS BASICALLY UNSOLVABLE, BUT THE KEY IS THAT NOW THE NBA POINT GUARD BASICALLY HAS A THREE-POINT SHOT WITH ONE HAND, WHILE BROTHER ALPHABET'S THREE-POINT SHOT IS MISERABLE, BASICALLY RELYING ON LUCK.
So playing small forward is the most suitable for Brother Alphabet, but the Bucks have Jabari Parker, who is also a talented young player, although he entered a year later than Brother Alphabet, but Parker is a showman, much higher than Brother Alphabet's rank, not to mention that Brother Alphabet's regular season data in the first season is very poor, although he is a substitute, but he only averages 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, which also gives the Clippers an opportunity to take advantage of and exploit loopholes.
In Li Cai's view, the overall strength of the Bucks is average, and if Brother Alphabet goes to a strong team as the core, it is entirely possible to become the MVP of the regular season.
Dig him into the middle of the lineup, and the Clippers' position at small forward is secured, at least much better than Matt Barnes.
In Li Cai's eyes, when this season is over, Brother Alphabet and White Edge have been practiced, as long as he enters the Clippers this year, the Clippers' lineup will be very terrifying, and it is not a dream to impact the championship, Paul will even be able to touch the floor of the West Finals this year.
After all, the Clippers' starting lineup this year includes center "White Wing" Whiteside, power forward Griffin, small forward Antetokounmpo, shooting guard JJ Redick and point guard Chris Paul.
The Clippers' starting lineup this year is not very strong except for the scoring guard JJ Redick, and the other four positions are all stars with All-Star strength in the eyes of future generations, not to mention that the bench depth in the Clippers is very strong, which can be said to be the first in the league.
In Li Cai's view, although many people feel that this transaction is not worth it and cannot be worthwhile, after two years, they will know how perfect this transaction is.
Li Cai saw that the people he wanted came to the Clippers, and he thought it was very good, and when he entered this year, he would definitely be able to win the championship next year.
Although the Cavaliers in the East have the so-called Big Three, but with James, although not as unique as the Los Angeles Iron Kings, the Cavaliers really can't, if it weren't for the help of the league, the Warriors would defend their title next year.
It's just that now with Li Cai's change, it will be very difficult for the Cavaliers to win a championship.
The changes in the Clippers are as Li Cai expected, but with the strength of the Clippers, they will definitely not be able to get a top first-round pick, so they have to make a trade in exchange for a top first-round pick to prepare for this year's draft.