Los Angeles, after a rare heavy snowfall, Lakers headquarters.

Kobe Bryant met with management again, Jerry Bas also came this time, and Lakers management made a last-ditch effort to persuade Kobe to stay.

But Jerebus himself stepped out and failed to retain success.

Because he did break his promise, Jeribas could only nod in the end: "Since Bryant wants to go, let him go, but he is a top three superstar in the league, and the players he gets back can't be bad, at least to ensure that the team can maintain a certain combat effectiveness without Bryant." ”

Jerebus spoke, and Mitch Kupchak couldn't continue to insist, he had to make compromises.

He went straight to Qiao Hai and began trade negotiations about Kobe.

……

Joe Hai received a call from Mitch Kupchak, and he knew that the Lakers were relieved and now Kobe Bryant could leave Los Angeles.

Well, the opportunity for the Bobcat has come, but the specific offer still needs to be negotiated.

"Mitch, our bid has been sent to you a long time ago, Michael Ridgar 76ers first-round pick in '07, and Bobcats first-round pick in '08."

As soon as the phone was connected, before they could talk for a few words, Qiao Hai repeated their offer, and with an explanation: "Michael is already a two-time All-Star, only 27 years old, one year younger than Kobe, the 76ers' first round will be a lottery, and this offer is already our highest offer." ”

Mitch Kupchak was silent for a while, he obviously wouldn't be satisfied with the Bobcat's offer, and a certain bargain was still there.

Moreover, Qiao Hai is also ready to have some more chips.

However, the bargaining between the two began, and Mitch Kupchak opened his mouth to ask for Danny Granger: "Add one more Danny Granger, and the deal is complete." ”

Danny Granger's potential and quality is already visible to the naked eye, and he is the young player that many teams want because of his All-Star potential.

If the Lakers can get Danny Granger, plus Michael Reed and they already have Pau Gasol, for the Lakers, at least the playoffs are not a concern.

But for Mitch Kupchak's asking price, Qiao Hai directly shook his head: "No, Mitch, Danny Granger definitely can't." ”

Kupchak didn't dwell on it, and he came up with another name: "Then add another Josh Smith." ”

This season, with the addition of Garnett and Andre Biedrins, Josh Smith's role has been replaced.

Also because of Josh Smith's outstanding performance in the past two seasons, Josh Smith, who can only play as a substitute now, also seems to be a bit wasted in the Bobcats.

So, Josh Smith can still be traded, but the problem is that if Michael Reed adds Josh Smith, Qiao Hai feels that the 76ers' first-round pick is not necessary, because Josh Smith's value is much higher than the 76ers' first-rounder.

Qiao Hai was also silent for a while, he was thinking, and after thinking, he also bargained again: "Josh Smith can join, but if you join Josh, the 76ers' first-round pick can't be given to you." ”

This time, Kupchak didn't pause at all and went straight back: "No, Joe, Michael Reed plus Josh Smith plus the 76ers' first-round pick, we only accept this offer." ”

Joe Hay continued to think, and he thought of Shaquille O'Neal's trade, and there was a good chance that Shaq's trade would not work out because the Celtics' offer was slightly better than the Bobcats', and if Joe Hai was Kichi Van der Verch, he would have chosen the Celtics' offer.

If the trade doesn't go through, they can have more high-quality chips such as Anthony Parker and the Bobcats' own two first-round picks.

Thinking about it this way, Qiao Hai quickly made a decision to temporarily shelve the negotiation of Kobe's deal and wait for the final result of O'Neal's deal.

"Mitch, our final bid, Michael Reed plus Josh Smith plus the Bobcats' '08 first-round pick, and the next two second-round picks, you think about it, and in a week, we'll restart negotiations."

Qiao Hai suspended Kobe Bryant's negotiations on this deal, and Kupchak also agreed to Qiao Hai's proposal, and he also said that Michael Reed, Josh Smith, plus the 76ers' first round, Qiao Hai should also consider it.

……

After pausing Bryant's trade, Joe learned from Hoop Sports that Shaq's trade talks seem to be in the final stages.

The Nets' idea of borrowing the Bobcats and Celtics to raise the price was shattered, and on the Bobcats' side, Qiao Hai directly gave a final offer, do you like to sell or not.

On the Celtics side, Danny Ainge also bit his bottom line, even if he didn't come out of El Jefferson, even Tony Allen was unwilling to play.

Even if the price is raised, Anji is only willing to add two more second-rounders, so the Nets have little room to choose.

While the two trades were suspended, the Bobcats played two more games, one on the road against the 76ers and the other at home to the Trail Blazers.

After two consecutive wins, the official announcement of the Nets' Facebook is finally here.

……

"The Nets officially announced that they sent Shaq to the Celtics in exchange for Ryan Gomez, Theolatliffe, Sebastian Telfe, and the Celtics' first-round pick in '08."

The Bobcat got the news as soon as possible, and Kevin Pritchard and Sam Singki were gathered in Qiao Hai's office again.

Qiao Hai knocked on the table: "Shaq's trade failed, we can move forward with Kobe's trade, and now we have two options, one is to use Anthony Parker, find a third party, get more draft picks, and the other is to directly add our own first-round pick." ”

Kevin Pritchard proposed: "Let's talk to the Lakers first. ”

Qiao Hai nodded, and he quickly dialed Mitch Kupchak's phone and made a new offer.

"Mitch, we have a new offer and hope to close the deal as soon as possible."

The new offer made by Qiao Hai is Michael Reed plus Josh Smith, plus the two future first-round picks of the Bobcats, and it stands to reason that this new offer is already very sincere.

But Mitch Kupchak's reply to Joe Hay was: "Sorry, Joe, you have contenders now, the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers are already in contention, and you may need to step up further." ”

With a snap, Qiao Hai didn't think about it and hung up the phone directly.

He looked angry, and then glanced at Kevin Pritchard and Sam Sinki, who were sitting across from him, looking very surprised.

After slowly calming his anger, Qiao Hai slowly explained: "The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers joined the competition, and Mitch Kupchak asked us to step up. ”

"Then I just hung up."

Qiao Hai raised his head again and glanced at Kevin Prince: "Kevin, go and send a final offer to the Lakers, Michael Reed, Josh Smith, plus our two first-rounders, agree or not, it's up to them to choose." ”

Qiao Hai always felt that his bid was already the highest and could not be higher, and Michi Kupchak still wanted to raise the price, which was a bit of a fool for Qiao Hai.

But obviously, Qiao Hai is not a fool, he sticks to his bottom line.