December 31st, the last day of 2013.

At the Staples Center, there will be a game today, and the Lakers' opponent this time is the Bucks from Milwaukee.

As a Chinese fan, my understanding of the Bucks is largely due to Yi Jianlian, who was drafted with a first-round No. 6 pick in '07. Although this choice later proved to be a bad one, the Bucks have more or less entered the field of vision of Chinese fans.

This season, the Bucks' record can only be described as miserable, and they are extremely stable in the bottom two of the East. Obviously, in such a situation, they will undoubtedly be able to get a very high draft pick.

And the general manager John Hammond's management attitude this season is also very obvious, that is, to put it badly. Therefore, all the games of the Bucks this season will be aimed at developing young players.

In other words, the Bucks hope to tap into a few young players with development potential before selecting a core player in next year's draft. So to complete the rebuild, to rely on these players to rise.

Obviously, the Bucks' rebuilding plan is very similar to the original Thunder. However, not every team will have the same luck as the Thunder. And it's a long process to rebuild with all the young players coming in.

And judging from this season, the Bucks do have several young players within the team that can be developed. However, the team's poor record also shows that there is no one among these players who can take on the big role. Therefore, for John Hammond, almost all players can be put on the shelf as long as the chips are reasonable.

"Mitch, you're perfectly fine, but, you know, I need a good deal to make sure I don't lose money."

On the day of the match, the general managers of both teams were on the phone.

"John, we're old friends. Of course I understand your situation, and I will give you the chips that will satisfy you. Even, I'm willing to suffer a loss. Before that, though, can I hear what you want? Kupchak's voice was unhurried or impatient, as if everything was under his control.

In fact, the current situation of the team has made him lose the pressure and panic of the previous two years. The whole person has become wise again because of this. And in his usual style, how could he make a loss-making business.

John Hammond was cautious and knew how the Lakers had been successful several times this season.

"Mitch, I'm sure you've looked into it too, and you definitely know Giannis's value. He's only 19 years old, and the sky is the limit for him. We've been working on him and he's the star of the future for our team. It's really hard to accept the loss of him......"

"Alright, alright, man, stop. Even if he's your future star, I'd love to hear your asking price right now. Kupchak scolded in his heart, this John Hammond is really shameless enough to be a future star who averages a few minutes per game? Sorry for what he said.

John Hammond smiled on the other end of the phone: "Just a chip equal to the value of the first five picks next year." In that case, I will be able to hand Giannis over to you. ”

"John, do you think Giannis is Cameron, Dwayne, Chris? The top five picks in the draft? You're a lion with a big mouth. Kupchak's voice couldn't help but raise a little.

"Mickey, it's not a lion's mouth. Giannis' potential is known all over the world. Maybe my asking price is a bit exceeded, but that's acceptable. As I said earlier, to make this deal, you have to let me make money. "This time it was John Hammond's turn to be unhurried.

"No, if that's the case, I'd rather not Giannis. I just want a battery that can be elevated, not the core of the future. You know, the Lakers' frontcourt is enough. The guard has Kobe Bryant again, unless Giannis can play point guard ......"

"What's impossible?" John Hammond laughed dryly.

"Hey, man, seven-foot point guard? Are you funny? I have Reggie Jackson right now, I've got Jeremy Milling, I've got Steve Nash, and I'm not short of a point guard. I think we can talk about it seriously, I want Giannis, just because I like his age and plasticity, and I want to train him to be a shooter. ”

"But it turns out that he doesn't have that potential, he's the kind of 3-or-D striker type, he can attack, he can defend, he can organize, he has the possibility to become a taller LeBron, even if it's just a little bit of a possibility, I think it's worth the risk." John Hammond said.

"Oh, damn it. I just need a big shooter, even if it's a weakened version of Peja...... "Kupchak frustrated, "Man, we can't always struggle with that. I don't have a draft pick, but I can provide the players you want. ”

After a pause, Kupchak's voice was also a little helpless: "Except for the three fronts and Robert, you can pick what you need." ”

"Mitch, what if I really want Robert?" John Hammond chuckled.

"Man, can you talk about it seriously? I just want to get this deal done quickly...... Jeremy Lin and Reggie Jackson if you need, I can give ......"

"Well, they have some potential, but I don't want it. Well, man, it looks like you're serious. Well, I'll think about it and call you back in five minutes......"

*******

"Steve, what do you think of Norris?"

Before the game, the Lakers warmed up, with Noll, Whiteside, Thackeray and Green playing two-on-two, Chu Xuan and Nash and others watching from the sidelines.

Hearing Chu Xuan's question, Nash replied without hesitation: "He will become a star player." And when he's fully grown, he'll show his dominance in the paint area. As a big man, he has so much athleticism that he will make the game so easy. ”

Chu Xuan was slightly surprised, he didn't expect Nash's evaluation of Knoll to be so high.

"Steve, there's nothing wrong about you. He will be the most important piece of the puzzle for our championship team. So, I hope you can help him grow up as soon as possible. ”

Nash nodded, at his age, the championship was already the only thing that could make his heart move: "No problem, Chu, I understand the importance of this task." I will do my best to help all the young people, and I will pass on my life experience to them. ”

In today's Lakers, there are more and more young players, and the role of veterans is obviously greater. Therefore, Chu Xuan felt that Nash's return was indeed a very good signal.

At the very least, his nearly 20 years of professional experience is the greatest asset, and it will undoubtedly help all of the Lakers' young players grow up quickly.

In Chu Xuan's view, Nash's ability to read the game will bring a qualitative change and improvement to the Lakers.