On May 22, the league draft was drawn, and the Rockets didn't have a lottery pick, so they didn't need to travel to the draw site in New York for the draw.

The process of the draft draw was broadcast live, and the results were released quickly.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished last season with the Nuggets, were selected for the No. 1 pick, and they had a chance to draft LeBron James.

Then there was the Detroit Pistons, who were selected by the Magic through a draft pick.

The Nuggets drew the No. 3 pick, followed by the Raptors and Heat.

The Clippers, Bulls, Bucks, Knicks, Wizards, Warriors, SuperSonics, Celtics and Jazz are the No. 6 and No. 14 picks, respectively.

The Rockets, who were not in the lotto, drew the 21st pick in the first round and the 15th pick in the second round.

Qiao Hai also got a draft report compiled by Sam Presti for the first time.

"This year's draft is a big year, not only for talented players like LeBron James, but also talented players like Carmelo Anthony who led the team to the NCAA championship in their freshman season, and big Daco Milicic from Europe."

"In addition, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kirkcinrich, T.J. Ford, including Chris Kaman, who has German roots, are also rookie players with excellent strength and potential."

"So, Joe, if you want to trade to get a lotto, it's still very difficult, almost impossible."

Sam Presti found that since March Madness, Joe Hai has been keeping an eye on two players.

One is Dwayne Wade and the other is Carmelo Anthony, both of whom are talented players who can only be selected with the top five picks, and Sam Presti feels that it is very unrealistic for Joe to set his sights on these two players.

Qiao Hai smiled: "Sam, what we need is not just a lottery pick, we need a draft pick that is at least in the top five picks of the first round!" ”

"Top five? That's impossible! ”

"Anything is possible!" Qiao Hai swore that he quickly set his sights on the Pistons who had the list of eye signs!

The Cavaliers can't trade the No. 1 pick, and they need that pick to select the chosen one, LeBron James from Akron.

The Nuggets, Heat and Raptors are also unlikely to trade their draft picks, as they need that pick to pick their future cornerstones.

So, the only one who could trade draft picks is the Pistons.

In the 2002-2003 season, the Pistons finished second in the East, made the playoffs to the Eastern Conference finals, and have yet to split the game with the Nets.

For the Pistons, the roster signing is a windfall, but at the same time, they also need to consider whether a team that already has a mature system needs to select a potential talent to develop.

In fact, Larry Brown, the current Pistons head coach, is leaning towards trading the draft pick in exchange for a star of his playing year that he needs.

What is the piston missing now?

They have two star players, Ben Wallace, who was named to the All-NBA team three times and All-Defensive Team for one and won the Defensive Player of the Year, and Richard Hamilton, who is averaging 20 points per game this season.

Their lack of players is obvious, a point guard who can dominate the ball, and a scoring power forward who can partner Ben Wallace.

And both types of players, the Rockets have both!

One is Steve Francis, and the other is Carlos Boozer!

A deal has already taken shape, if it is two for one, Qiao Hai will even feel that it is a loss, and Steve Francis should be able to exchange for that list sign with a single exchange......

Qiao Hai didn't say much, he only instructed Darryl Morey: "Darryl, email Pistons general manager Jo Dumas to inquire about the No. 2 pick." ”

Darrell Morey didn't have any doubts, he did so, but Sampresti had doubts on his face, but for now, he could only wait for the results of Qiao Hai's inquiry.

……

Qiao Hai's schedule is already full.

In late May, he will travel to Chicago for a trip to the Chicago Joint Tryout, and then, in early June, he will return to Houston for a solo tryout with the Rockets.

In mid-June, he will travel to New York to prepare for the NBA's expansion bid, including some canvassing.

Then, at the end of June, the draft and the expansion bid were officially voted.

Then, in early July, free agency opened, and the Rockets needed to complete a series of contract extensions, trades, and transfers.

Although the season is over, Qiao Hai's busyness has just begun......

……

……

At the end of May, two games had already been played in the Eastern and Western finals, with the Nets winning two games in a row, one by 2 points at 76-74 and the other by 2 points at 88-86.

In the West, the Lakers, who had managed to get through, faced the Spurs, who were strong this season, losing 82-87 in the first game and 95-114 in the second.

In the two games, Shaquille O'Neal was completely confined to death by the Spurs' twin towers, and Kobe Bryant was alone, and it seemed that Rick Carlisle's defensive strategy against the Spurs was completely helpless.

In the 0:2 duel between the two groups, Qiao Hai arrived in Chicago.

……

In the United Center, a large number of rookie tryouts were carried out at the same time, and Qiao Hai stood in the stands on the second floor, with a camera in his hand, constantly holding it in his hand to shoot.

Accompanying Joe on the tryout were Sam Presti and Sam Sinki, two of the Rockets' scouts, and Darryl Morey didn't come because he had more important things to do (following up on the No. 2 pick deal, and contract extensions for players like Ron Artest).

Sam Xinki got a physical test and handed it to Qiao Hai, while explaining: "LeBron James only participated in the physical test in terms of height, weight and speed, and did not participate in strength and jumping, but the physical test data shows that LeBron James' physical fitness is indeed a once-in-a-century ......"

Although there is no chance to select LeBron James, the Rockets still pay a lot of attention to LeBron James, after all, this is a rookie player who may rule an era, and everyone can't help but pay attention to it.

Qiao Hai was a little puzzled by LeBron James' inconsiderate strength and bounce, but Qiao Hai didn't care too much about a rookie he was destined to choose.

Joe continued to look down, and he saw the draft reports of Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade.

"Cameron Anthony, 1.99 meters tall, 2.02 meters in shoes, 233 pounds, 2.13 meters in reach, 2.68 meters tall in standing, 3.53 meters in maximum touch, 10.1......1 seconds in 100 meters sprint"

"Dwyanwade, 1.92 meters tall barefoot, 1.95 meters in shoes, 96 kilograms in weight, 2.10 meters in reach, 2.59 meters tall in standing, 3.48 meters in maximum touch, 3.08 seconds in 3/4 sprints."

Comparing the two sets of data, whether it is speed or bounce, Wade, as a defender, has better physical fitness.

In the free trial session, LeBron James came on first.

On the court, he took the ball and dunked two baskets first, showing his outstanding physical fitness, and in terms of shooting, LeBron James didn't show much, obviously, that was LeBron James's shortcoming.

But even if he doesn't shoot, it's not a big deal for LeBron James.

"The Chosen One, a natural leader, a great ball handler, probably the best physical talent in NBA history, he's a combination of Big O and Magic Johnson, such a player, I can't think of any other options than the champion!"

Sam Presti exclaimed.

And he also made comments on Wade and Anthony, whom Qiao Hai has always valued.

"Cameron is going to be a great scorer, he has a lot of scoring tools, maybe one of the best scorers in the history of the league, and he could be another Paul Pearce."

"Dwyane Wade is a very fast guard player with a lot of scoring means, but he is very physical, he can play point guard or shooting guard, and overall, Dwayne Wade could be another Steve Francis."

Hearing Steve Francis's name, Qiao Hai was stunned for a moment, crying and laughing: "Steve Francis? ”

Sam Presti also nodded seriously: "That's right, Steve Francis, almost all scouts think so, of course, some people say that he may be the next Tim Hardaway." ”

Qiao Hai quickly shook his head: "No, just the ball quotient, Steve Francis can't compare to Dwyane Wade." ”

Sam Presti looked puzzled, where did Qiao Hai see Dwayne Wade's ball quotient, and just as he wanted to ask, Qiao Hai had already made a decision.

"I decided, if we can trade for a top-five pick, we're going to pick Dwayne Wade!"

Wade can be selected with the top five picks, and in the draft predictions given by ESPN and Hoop Sports, Wade's predicted pick was only the seventh pick in the first round and did not make it to the top five.

In fact, even in the previous life, when the Heat selected Wade with the No. 5 pick, the draft scene was full of surprise, and no one thought that Wade could make it to the top five.

In the prediction, in front of Wade, in addition to LeBron James, who is a combination of Big O and Magic, and Anthony, who won the NCAA championship in his freshman season.

There are also Tim Duncan, Dako, Milicic, who can shoot three-pointers, Kevin Garnett Crisbosh on the left, Iverson T.J. Ford, who is a pass-enhancing version, and Mazzie Lampe, who is known as Alonzo Mourning, who is known as the white man......

Sam Presti shook his head, still not believing Johi could trade for a top-five pick in the first round.

Take a look at these top five players with prediction picks, each template name is so loud, how can a team with a top five pick trade such a precious draft pick?

Sampresti shook her head and turned directly to the second page of the physical test data.

"Joe, I think you'd better look at these players from the middle of the first round......