In Los Angeles in February, standing on the balcony, you can still feel the cool breeze. But because of this, the balcony was empty and there was no one. People naturally prefer to stay in a warm hall rather than run out to blow the wind. Of course, this is undoubtedly a very business-friendly environment.

Hammond lit a cigarette, while Henson pulled a humidor out of his pocket and lit a cigar. He took a deep breath, and neither man spoke. Henson knew that Hammond wanted to wait for himself to speak first.

"The Milwaukee Bucks," Henson said, flicking the soot off his clothes, "need a No. 1 position that can handle the ball and shoot." ”

"Coach Henson's news is as good as ever." Hammond didn't deny it, after all, the news had already spread. Superfluous denial will seem very meaningless.

The Bucks are willing to send out Doron. Lamb, Tobias. Harris and Benno. Yudri, J.J. Reddick, Ismael, J. Redick from Magic. Smith and Gustavo. Ayon. And the subject of this deal, in fact, is J.J. Reddick.

In addition to Jean Monta. Ellis and Brandon. In addition to Jennings' free play, the Bucks also need a bench scoring point to help them.

In fact, the Bucks have been salivating over Redick before. Since the team already has Jennings and Ellis in the backcourt, Judri, who needs to hold the ball in his hands, will not be able to play as well as he should. Redick, on the other hand, as a pure shooter, can ambush outside the three-point line, and use the duo's breakthrough points to shoot the ball steadily and increase the efficiency of the offensive end.

And Redick's annual salary of 6.19 million this year is undoubtedly a big burden for the Magic team that has been determined to rebuild, and his style cannot become the core of the team. And Udri's expiring contract will free up a lot of salary space for the team in the summer, and the Magic are naturally very interested in sending him away.

It stands to reason that this deal should have been done long ago, after all, both the Bucks and the Magic can take what they need from it. But the reason why there are less than 24 hours left before the trade deadline is that the transaction has not been completed at this node, and the problem is mainly with Bucks forward Tobias. Harris.

Tobias. Harris, the 2.06-meter-tall forward, was drafted by the Bobcats with the 19th pick in the first round in 2011 and was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. During his two years with the Bucks, he never got any decent opportunities. Averaging just four points per game this season, it doesn't look like it has any potential. But in the middle of the season, when the former Bucks coach Scott. After Skels resigned due to a breakdown in his relationship with the player, he replaced Jim Skels. Boylan, changed the fate of Harris.

Jim. Boylan first brought Harris back to his favorite No. 3 from the No. 4 position and gave Harris more playing time. Tobias. Harris has also lived up to Boylan's expectations, and in the last five games, Tobias has also lived up to expectations. Harris suddenly rose to prominence, averaging 17.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game!

As a forward with the height, the physicality, the shooting and the talent that has finally been realized, Hammond is certainly reluctant to let Harris go. But in the same way, J.J. Reddick is very seductive. And the Magic have also made a statement if there is no Tobias in the trade. Harris, they won't agree. And just like that, the deal was at an impasse.

Just when Hammond didn't know what to choose, Henson. Joe showed up.

"It's not well-informed, the world knows that the Bucks have a trade before the trade deadline. And one thing I do know is that you don't want to pay Tobias. Players like Harris. He's really good, Jim. Boylan played to Harris's strengths. But on the contrary, the Magic team is eyeing Harris's potential. Henson sorted everything out, and he also observed Hammond's expression. Seeing that the other party did not smile but frowned slightly, Henson knew that he had guessed correctly!

"I have to admit it," Hammond shook his head, "you impress me, Coach Henson." So, do you have any better proposals? As far as I know, there's no reason for you to disrupt your existing roster. What kind of deals do you have to do with us? Monta. Ellis? Or Brandon. Jennings? ”

"No, I'm not going to fight you guys with the idea of 'two guns in the back'." Henson waved his hand, unless he wanted to kill himself, he would ask for those two players who didn't know how to take a shot. Of course, he didn't say it, "Actually, I don't even need you to give any player, Mr. Hammond. You don't need Monta, you don't need Brandon, and you'll even leave Tobias to you. Let me tell you this, I don't want anything out of you, you just need to help me digest this player. ”

"Which player?"

"A player who can handle the ball and shoot threes, I don't need but that's exactly what you need, D.J. Augustine! Let's be honest, Augustin is a good player, but his style doesn't quite suit us. I need a defender who can defend and be tall, but obviously Augustin isn't. So, this season we really only have Chris. Paul is a point guard available. With such bench depth, it is naturally very dangerous in the playoffs. So, I fell in love with Sean, who had just been cut by the Wizards. Livingston. That's right, it's the former high school genius. He's tall and defensive, which fits my vision of a backup point guard. ”

Henson said, taking a drag on his cigar and slowing down. The essence of fooling people is to make what is false as true as possible, so Henson himself cannot be in a hurry. If you are in a hurry, there will be a flaw.

"So, I was ready to sign him. As a result of my boss, Stephen. Mr. Simon told me that he wouldn't spend those millions more for a replacement. It's okay to sign Livingston, unless I can get Augustine out. As soon as he came and went, he didn't have to pay another salary. What a bastard, you know, if Herbert were still in power, he couldn't have said such a thing! ”

After Henson finished speaking, he secretly apologized to Stephen in his heart. The above are all made up by Henson, in order to fool Hammond. But for the sake of the team's future, the only way to take the boss out is to take the blame first. Of course, what Henson said above is not all false. For example, the part where he was going to sign Livingston was true.

Fiction and reality are the most unpredictable.

"So, you're going to trade Augustine to me, and then you're going to sign your Livingston before the free signing deadline?" Hammond wasn't stupid and quickly understood what Henson wanted him to understand.

"yes, I know you're aiming for the playoffs, and I know Augustine is hungry for a chance to perform. I'll admit that Augustin may not be as good off the three-point line as Redick. But think about it another way, accepting a weakened version of Reddick will save you a Tobias. Harris. That's what I propose, and the choice is yours, Mr. Hammond. "Henson has put out his chips, come to Stud!

"This is unreasonable, and the alliance does not allow unilateral transactions. You say you don't want my players, so what do I trade with you? ”

"Take the draft picks to make up the numbers, anyway, this year is a draft year. We don't even know where to go with the bad teams, let alone the ones we're outside the lotto zone. Henson pretended not to care, in fact, this summer's draft pick from the Bucks is the heart of Henson's deal!

What deliberately got away with Augustine, what Stephen . Simon is reluctant to spend money, these are all disguises! The Bucks could continue to play like this, even without a lottery pick, and get a pre-20th pick. And for Antetokounmpo, who is still unknown, the draft pick before the 20th pick is enough to safely take him down!

Henson is not afraid that Hammond will see through himself, because the '13 draft is indeed a recognized draft year. How small? It can be said that up to now, there has not been a "competent" champion. Not to mention, the low-pick rookie after that.

Hammond thought for a while, in the banquet hall, Kobe Bryant had already taken the stage, and the charity event was about to officially begin.

"No, I'm not going to use my first-round pick, Coach Henson." Hammond waved his hand, and although there was a good chance that the '13 draft would not pick any good players, he still didn't plan to use the draft picks so hastily.

"Don't let you spend your draft picks for nothing, I'm willing to sell Augustine, plus my two picks this summer! That way, you still have one first-round pick, one more second-round pick, and D.J. Augustine. Most importantly, it can be Tobias. Harris stayed. Help, Mr. Hammond. I really need Livingston, you know, we're aiming for the championship and we can't afford to go wrong. Picks don't matter to us, I'll give them to you. I won't let you suffer, and I owe you a favor. Henson continued to fool around, trying not to let Hammond think about the draft pick.

Instead of smiling and shaking his head in refusal, Hadmund hesitated for a moment. Henson didn't know if the deal would work out in the end, but he was sure that Hudmund was thinking about it!

"Let's go, Coach Henson, the master is going to start talking." Hammond did not rush to answer, but extinguished his cigarette and prepared to return to the hall.

"Please, Mr. Hadmund." Henson respectfully opened the balcony door for Hudmon, and this matter should not be rushed, and Hadmund must be given some time to think about it.

Anyway, there are no more hours left for him to think about it.