The first-round draft order of each team is as follows: 1. Hawks, 2. Trail Blazers, 3. Grizzlies, 4. Celtics, 5. SuperSonics, 6. Bobcats, 7. Bucks, 8. Bulls (swap with Knicks), 9. Warriors, 10. Kings, 11. Philadelphia 76ers, 12. Hawks (Pacers swap), 13. Lakers, 14. Hornets, 15. Pistons (Magic swap), 16. Washington Wizards, 17. Clippers, 18. New Jersey Nets, 19. Timberwolves, 20. Miami Heat, 21. Philadelphia 76ers(Nuggets exchange), 22.Bobcats (Raptors exchange), 23.Knicks (Bulls exchange), 24.Suns (Cavaliers exchange), 25.Spurs, 26.Jazz, 27.Pistons, 28.Suns, 29.Philadelphia 76ers (Mavericks exchange), 30.Rockets.

Second-round picks: 31. SuperSonics, 32. Celtics, 33. Spurs, 34. Mavericks, 35. Supersonics, 36. Warriors, 37. Trail Blancs, 38. Philadelphia 76ers, 39. Magic, 40. Lakers, 41. Timberwolves, 42. Lakers, 43. Hornets, 44. Bobcats, 45. Clippers, 46. New Jersey Nets, 47. Wizards, 48. Lakers, 49. Bulls, 50. Mavericks, 51. Bulls, 52. Trail Blazers, 53. Trail Blazers, 54. Spurs, 55. Jazz, 56. Bucks, 57. Pistons, 58. Suns, 59. Mavericks, 60. Rockets.

'07 was also a big year for the draft, the first round picks were particularly precious, and the Bobcats were not bad, getting two picks, No. 6 and No. 22; The 76ers got three draft picks in order to rebuild; The Pistons also have two draft picks. Even second-round picks have attracted attention, and the Lakers have put their hopes on second-round picks.

Some words were unclear on the phone, and in order to better discuss the formation of the team, Jordan flew to Los Angeles and had a secret meeting with Hayes in the hotel.

In addition to the draft, the head coach of the Bobcats has finally been decided, and that person is not Jeff Van Gundy.

At this point, Jordan is also very helpless. Jordan wanted to ask Van Gundy to be the head coach, but Van Gundy refused. The reason is that the pressure is too great, he no longer wants to stand on the sidelines and direct multimillionaire players, he doesn't want to experience the cruelty of the NBA, and if Jordan is willing to give him a position as a team consultant and assistant coach, he is a little interested, mainly to help the Bobcats transform their defense.

Hayes expressed understanding of Van Gundy's decision to step aside. If it weren't for him, Van Gundy would have gone to work as a commentator at the TV station, which was both glamorous and decent, and could earn a good salary. Barkley and Kenny Smith, who have made huge names in the NBA, both have annual salaries of 7 figures, which is much more comfortable than being a coach. Van Gundy was the best coach and got a championship ring, and he has no regrets.

After the two met, Jordan smiled and said, "Chuck, you came here to practice, and the outside media thought you were going to join the Lakers." The news is about to be turned upside down. ”

"I just like to add a bit of conversation to the fans. Still, someone guessed where I was really going, didn't they? Michael, how did you talk to Mike? Hayes laughed.

The "Mike" that Hayes is talking about is Mike D'Antoni.

After D'Antoni was swept away by the Suns, he was immediately contacted by four teams, all of which were underdogs. These underdogs don't believe that they can win a championship, and only hope that D'Antoni can use small-ball tactics to bring the team to the playoffs. D'Antoni was dismissive of the team that sent the invitation, but reached out to Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins, who then secretly met with Jordan and offered himself to be the head coach of the Bobcats.

Jordan was surprised. D'Antoni said: "As far as I know, Azubuke and Weaver are the two best connected little brothers with Chuck Hayes, and now they are running to you. If I'm not mistaken, Chuck transferred, and it was the Bobcats who were selected, right? I'm here to coach him, and if I work with him, I'm sure I'll get the Bobcats to win the championship!" ”

Hayes attracted not only the players, but also D'Antoni, and Jordan knew his luck had come. D'Antoni has also been voted Coach of the Season, along with Jeff Van Gundy, a super advisor and assistant. Bobcat is equivalent to having two best coaches joining, and it is an offense and a defense!

He immediately called Hayes. Hearing that D'Antoni was coming, Hayes certainly wouldn't object, and he wanted to know what the two coaches could do if they got together. Maybe it's both offensive and defensive, maybe D'Antoni and Van Gundy will fight because of disagreement...... Hopefully not the latter.

"Chuck, you're really my lucky star. I just told him the truth and said you're coming to Bobcats, and he immediately agreed to come as head coach and the salary he asked wasn't very high. Without you, he and Jeff wouldn't have been able to come to the Bobcats at all. I now believe I'm going to make the playoffs next season! Jordan laughed.

"Michael, when you were a player, you were very ambitious. Why is it that after becoming a boss, the goal is so low? What else are you talking about? Hayes asked.

"D'Antoni wants me to trade a couple of players who are good for running and hitting. When drafting, you should also choose players who have speed and can shoot the basketball, and tear down the Bobcats' existing lineup and rebuild. Jeff said that the Rockets traded last season all by you, and you can be an assistant coach and manager in addition to being a player. Now that you and D'Antoni are almost on the same page, I'm starting to take his word for it. Jordan laughed. He handed a copy of the document to Hayes and took one himself.

The data shows Bobcats' players' salaries and regular season stats from last season, as well as their contracts for the next season.

Jordan is now the majority shareholder of the Bobcats, and although the nominal manager is Rod Higgins, the actual decision-maker has always been Jordan, and the manager just does what Jordan instructs. I came to Los Angeles this time mainly to divide the work. Jordan is in charge of team trades, waiving players whose contracts are expiring while managing to trade some unwanted players out of the team. Hayes and D'Antoni are in charge of the draft!

Hayes looked at the table, and the Bobcats' total salary this season was only $39.35 million, far below the league's salary cap of 53.135 million. Now there are also a number of players whose contracts have expired, and if they don't sign all of them, the remaining players' salaries are 27.67 million, and the Bobcats' salary is too abundant. Don't worry about triggering the luxury tax at all!

"Well, our team wants to buy people, no problem at all. After signing you, you can also find a good player. It's just that we need to keep some of the funds because next season Okafor's contract expires and a high salary is needed to stay. Jordan smirked.

"The Bobcats are the easiest team to rebuild, and that's the main reason I chose the Bobcats," Hayes said. We're going to have a big purge and I'm going to say it straight away, Jeff McGinnis, Matt Carroll, Aaron Anderson, Walter Herrmann, Kevin Burleyson, these players just give up and don't renew their contracts. ”

Hayes said five names in one go, all of them players whose contracts have expired. Jordan was stunned for a moment and said, "Chuck, this is equivalent to giving up half of the team, you are sure you want to do this." If we all change the new players, it will be difficult for us to run in next season, and the regular season results will be affected! ”

"The playoffs are key, and the regular season is a great time to develop rookies. I'm thinking about the future of the team and D'Antoni will certainly agree with me. Hayes laughed and said that none of the names he had ever given were useful.

"But, Matt Carroll, who averaged 12 points per game last season and shot 41 percent from three-point range, is a good shooting guard, so he should stay?" Jordan said.

"He's done with the numbers in his contract year, but how much do we have to sign him? At least close to the middle class. He's just a shooter, barely defensive, not much better than the Rockets' Hyde, and I'm sure Azubuuk and Weaver are better than him. Their positions overlap, and if you sign this person, it will become a garbage contract after one season, and it is not easy to sign and then change. So give it up. Hayes said.

"That's up to you." Jordan smiled. As soon as I heard Hayes's explanation, I didn't feel sorry for it, thinking that this kid really saw far away, and he could really be a manager after retiring.

"One more thing, Gerard Wallace offered to jump out of the contract, his agent offered a six-year, $57 million contract, and I felt like I had to keep him." Jordan said.

'Yes, Gerrard has to be signed. Earned 57 million in six years! I even think he deserves a higher price. Playing against the Bobcats last season, he made me feel bad! Hayes laughed.

"Michael, the next thing is key, you have to trust me! There are a couple of guys who have to trade out of the team. The first, Adam Morrison! Hayes said, looking at the form.

"He was the third rookie we selected in the first round last season, and he focused on developing him. The surname-to-price ratio is very high. Chuck, I can't promise you this. When Jordan heard this, he immediately exclaimed.

"Michael, don't get excited, listen to me analyze the situation, although he averaged 11.8 points per game last season, he only shot 37.6%, he can't run fast, he can't jump high, but he's good at grasping the rhythm. If D'Antoni arrives and introduces run-and-gun tactics into the attack, Morrison will not be able to adapt to the tempo. And I'm going to be a small forward next season, how much playing time do you think he'll get? Now, if you trade him away, it's in the interest of both parties. Hayes looked into Jordan's eyes and said seriously, "I know you admire him, but for the sake of the championship, we have to make a trade-off, and it is a good thing for him to trade." Otherwise, he will delay his future because he will not get playing time. ”

"Are you sure he can't run and shoot? Let me think about it. Jordan sighed. He was also a little worried that Morrison would not be able to adapt to the shelling.

Hayes nodded, he knew that Morrison was really a piece of waste. In another life, except for the first season, he failed to score a double-double and became a fringe player, but he was lucky to mix two championships with the Lakers.

"Also, Blevin Knight is also going to be traded, for the same reason that he is not suitable for running and shooting, he was injured last season, and he can still deliver 9 points and 6.6 assists, maybe it will attract some team attention." Hayes laughed.

There are not many objections to this Jordan, Knight is already old, and his form is not as good as it is year after year.

Hayes continued to look at the form, frowned, and said: "Ryan Hollins, his salary next season is actually higher than Okafor and Wallace, is there any mistake, this guy is good for nothing but height, trade it out." ”

"But as a result, we are short of big man replacements, and what the league lacks most now is a high school forward." Jordan questioned again.

"When I come to the draft, I'm going to find a big man who is a hundred times better than him, I promise!" Hayes said.

The two then discussed, with players such as Altaïr Harrington, Jack Wascur, Sean May and Primoz Breczec also on Hayes' trade list. Jordan felt a little dizzy. He originally thought that he would change half of the team, but in the end, except for Wallace, Okafor, and Felton, Hayes suggested that the whole team be replaced...... This is the real "Great Purge"!

(To be continued)