As the draft season approaches, Popovich has yet to make a decision for this year.

Originally, the Spurs, who won the 29th pick in the first round, were planning to pick out the all-around guard Corey from the University of Texas. Joseph. Joseph may not be the next superstar, but he can definitely make a great "Spurs" role player.

A 29th pick, it stands to reason that there is nothing to worry about. But Popovich's assistant coach Budenholzer, famous shooting coach Ingold and the team's general manager Fulford made Popovich uncertain.

"We've got to make this deal, pop! Think about it, do you want a good player, or a great player! At this point, across Popovich's desk, Budenholzer was still trying to convince Popovich.

"Kawaii. Leonard may indeed be good, but it costs George. Hill's words, isn't the price too great. "Popovich with one hand on his head, George. Hill is a young player that Popovich likes so much that he doesn't want to cut his ways.

George. Hill's value to the Spurs goes without saying, as he was drafted by the Spurs in the first round in '08 with the 26th overall pick and averaged 13.4 points per game in the playoffs the following year. For the Spurs, who are in the midst of a transition between the old and the new, Hill may be the most reliable rookie they can develop.

Hill's style of play is incomparably compatible with the Spurs, and San Antonio fans have even decided that he is Tony. Parker's successor, the future master of the Spurs!

"No, we can't make this deal. It's too risky and Leonard isn't Tim. Duncan, he's not worth giving up such an important asset. We have Duncan, are we going to call this rookie to the No. 4 position in the future, and then let Duncan play center as an older general? No way! Or, giving up Hill and letting Leonard top the spot? In terms of Leonard's shooting level, this is obviously not reasonable either! For us, Leonard's strengths are simply rebounding aggressiveness and defensive ferocity. But is this advantage enough for us to replace Hill, who has a promising future? ”

Popovich waved his hand, he had read Leonard's scouting report.

"Great physicality, excellent defensiveness, a certain ability to attack in the low post. But he has obvious shortcomings, poor dribbling, poor shooting, and poor team awareness. ”

Scouts' assessment of Leonard was clearly difficult to impress Popovich. He was well aware that Leonard was a malleable talent, but even Popovich was not sure that he would be able to develop this gem. The San Antonio Spurs have never been the kind of team that plays on athletic talent.

"We can let him play the number three position! I promise, I'll train him to shoot! If we could have a No. 3 with the size of him, Manu wouldn't have to go to the No. 3 position. Shooting coach Ingold patted his chest and seemed very confident in transforming Leonard.

"That guy was just like Tim, he was taciturn and all he thought about was how to play basketball. Even labor negotiations will not let his training fall behind. Leave it to me and I'm going to make a difference in Leonard's shooting and make him a true No. 3 player. ”

"That's it, George. Hill is excellent, but I don't think his odds are as high as Leonard's. We had to give it a try, while everyone else was not interested in him! ”

Budenholzer and Ingold almost convinced Popovich, and Popovich was actually a little moved. If Leonard can develop a shot, combined with the great qualities he already has, that guy can certainly be a standout forward player.

But just then, the phone in Popovich's office rang.

Popovich knew that only General Manager Forbud would call him at such times. With the draft just around the corner, conversations between the general manager and the head coach are becoming more frequent.

"Hey, what's the matter? What the!? Well, I think about it, well, goodbye. ”

With just a few words, Popovich hung up the phone and looked up at his assistant coach and shooting coach.

"What's wrong? Is it Forbud? Budenhozer couldn't help but get nervous when he saw that Popovich's face was not quite right.

"Well, Forbud. The Pacers offered us a trade in which they offered to trade Holiday and McRoberts for George. Hill. Popovich held his forehead, and it seemed that George. The value of Hill's deal has to be re-evaluated.

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The day before the draft, each team published its thoughts on the rookies in the media and gave a slight hint of their draft intentions.

There are generally two purposes for revealing intentions, one is to reassure the rookies, and the other is to tell other teams, don't come and grab me, if you want, then take out the chips.

Of course, a team will only publicly express this intention if they are very confident that they will acquire the rookie. After all, if someone else cuts off your beard in advance and then forces you to put out your chips, it will be more than worth the loss.

Henson also expressed his intention in an interview with the media, "Reggie. Jackson is a very good defender and I'm sure at Indianapolis he can play his worth. I was very happy with his tryout, and every coach would want a player like that to play under them. ”

After the tryout, Henson used all the compliments on Reggie. Jackson. So in ESPN's predicted draft rankings, experts all believe that the Pacers will pick Reggie with the 23rd pick. Jackson.

As for Leonard, Henson didn't say a word about it, and didn't even invite Leonard to try out. So no one is going to associate Leonard with the Indiana Pacers.

For now, it seems that only the San Antonio Spurs are interested in Leonard, because Spurs general manager Forbund only said a few days ago that he was satisfied with the results of Leonard's trial.

Therefore, Leonard's predicted pick has also become the 29th pick in the first round.

The prospect of the draft seems to be becoming clear, and each team has found their goal. But for Henson and the Pacers, none of the media outlets or experts have predicted their right choice so far. Reggie. Jackson? It was just another Henson's to cover people's ears.

"Look, this guy's draft template is really interesting." In his hotel room near the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Henson looked at the scouting reports of this rookie and beckoned Vogel and Silas.

For the draft, Henson and his team set up a nest in New Jersey three days early. He needs to convince people as much as possible that the Pacers are interested in Reggie. How much Jackson takes it.

Vogel and Silas leaned over and found that the rookie Henson was looking at was a rookie named Nikola. Vučević's USC Montenegrin center.

"His draft template is Wang Zhizhi and Memet. Oku. Henson smiled, seeing the scout take a template of a Chinese player as a rookie, which made Henson feel a little kind.

"So what? You're suddenly interested in this white center again? Vogel spread his hands, knowing that Henson liked this kind of interior shot, and Vucevic's height and physique could make up for Horford's lack in that regard.

"I don't have much interest in him, but the Philadelphia 76ers seem to like the big guy. Templates like Wang Zhizhi and Memet. Oku's inside line, we seem to have it too, right? And he's proven to survive in the NBA's muscular jungle compared to rookies. ”

Looking at Henson's confident smile, Vogel and Silas were confused.

"Tell the Philadelphia 76ers that we're willing to give them the 23rd pick and an inside McRoberts who can also shoot. The premise is that they are going to be the 15th pick and take Leonard for me. ”

After Henson finished speaking, he closed the rookie report book in his hand. In a few days, the show is about to begin.