Chapter 625: The Draft (2)

Because this was the only way to overthrow the tyrannical rule of Su Xi and the Knicks.

Things were tough for the Knicks, who could only bring in reinforcements through the draft.

Following their championship win last season, the Knicks’ current roster was about to see some changes.

Gary Payton decided to retire. Having fulfilled his wish of winning a championship, he was off to enjoy life.

Jerome James, who had been brought back as a last-minute reinforcement last year, was also retiring again. He was ecstatic to have another championship ring.

In addition, Trevor Ariza’s contract had expired.

The Knicks were hesitant to re-sign him. For one, his agent was demanding an exorbitant salary, and for another, he complained that the Knicks hadn’t given him enough playing time.

The Knicks’ attitude on the matter was: If you have a better place to go, you’re welcome to leave.

Jamal Crawford had one year left on his contract, but it was basically time for them to part ways.

So, all things considered,

the Knicks’ core roster now consisted of Kyle Lowry, Su Xi, Stephen Jackson, David Lee, Zach Randolph, and Milicic.

Therefore, if they wanted to ensure the five-year plan was completed on schedule, this year’s draft was extremely important.

Su Xi flipped back and forth through the rookies’ handbooks.

After a working dinner, the draft officially began.

Just as everyone had expected,

David Stern enthusiastically announced the start of the draft, then quickly brought out the envelope from Atlanta.

They didn’t hesitate at all, even though they had been claiming they wanted to build a lineup of forwards.

But faced with Oden and Durant, they didn’t hesitate for a second.

Their choice was Greg Oden.

No matter the era, a center was always the more valuable choice.

Over the past several decades, the number of centers selected as the top pick far surpassed that of any other position.

Greg Oden’s old-looking face was wreathed in smiles. He happily walked onto the stage wearing a Hawks cap and shook hands with David Stern.

Many people were saying a new era had arrived.

They expected Greg Oden to be like Duncan and O’Neal, to immediately change the league and become a phenomenal superstar right from the start.

This expectation also seemed to imply something else: that no one in the current league could stop Little Sheep Su Xi.

So, they could only pin their hopes on this college player who had never played a single game in the NBA.

Perhaps he was really that talented.

But would the Knicks really be afraid?

Atlanta’s roster was decent, but could they really take off just by adding Oden?

Could they achieve anything brilliant in the East?

As Oden shook hands with David Stern and walked off stage to be interviewed by reporters, the media announced some explosive news.

The first trade of this year’s offseason.

The Boston Celtics and the Seattle SuperSonics had reached a deal. Ray Allen was headed to Boston.

As part of the deal, Boston’s fifth pick was sent to the SuperSonics.

When Su Xi saw this news, he wasn’t surprised at all. The entire Knicks war room was calm because they already knew about it.

But for many others around the league, it was a huge shock.

They anticipated that something big was about to happen.

At that moment, someone came to ask for the Knicks’ selection.

The Knicks didn’t hesitate. Following the Seattle SuperSonics’ request, they selected Kevin Durant.

When David Stern announced the Knicks’ selection on stage, the reaction at Madison Square Garden Arena was lukewarm.

The fans knew that the Knicks definitely wouldn’t be keeping Durant; this was just a temporary measure.

Although Durant was great, since Isaiah Thomas had said he didn’t want to pursue a superstar strategy and Goat Su Xi wasn’t keen on teaming up with another superstar… well, so be it.

As soon as the Knicks made their selection, the hot line from the SuperSonics Team rang. They were asking who the Knicks wanted them to select with the third pick.

Su Xi was torn between Horford and Joakim Noah.

The two were college teammates.

Joakim Noah’s defense and passing were better, while Horford was more well-rounded.

Su Xi hesitated for about thirty seconds.

Finally, he made his choice. “Joakim Noah! We’re picking Joakim Noah.”

Meanwhile, Durant was being interviewed by the media.

“I don’t know if I’ll report to the Knicks, but if I do, I’ll still have my questions. Why isn’t Goat Su Xi with Scarlett? Why did he have to betray Scarlett!”

Durant was as eccentric as ever.

Then a reporter asked him, “If you join the Knicks, will you do everything in your power to help Jack complete his five-year plan?”

“Of course. Basketball is basketball, and life is life. Just because I don’t like his personal life doesn’t mean I don’t respect his basketball skills.”

Just as he said that,

David Stern walked onto the stage and announced the Seattle SuperSonics’ selection. They chose Joakim Noah.

This completely stunned Noah, who had been projected to go around tenth.

He never expected Seattle to pick him.

He shared a close hug with his mother, then hugged his famous tennis player father and his stepmother, before happily walking onto the stage wearing a SuperSonics cap.

A moment later, the Grizzlies, who held the fourth pick, made their choice. They picked Mike Conley with almost no hesitation!

Greg Oden’s right-hand man from his college days.

Conley was thrilled.

Then, it was time for the fifth pick, and the phone from the SuperSonics rang again.

At this point, Horford, whom Su Xi had favored earlier, was still on the board.

But at this point, the Knicks already possessed Milicic, Zach Randolph, Joakim Noah, and David Lee—four frontcourt players with distinct styles.

‘Horford is really good, but if he comes too, will we have enough spots for all of them?’

Su Xi wanted a guard.

Su Xi thought for a long time, then decided to pick Horford.

‘Why?’

‘The reason was simple: pick the best player available.’

‘Of course, there was another reason: there really weren’t any guards this year who caught his eye.’

‘Should he pick Nick Young?’

The SuperSonics’ two big draft picks were made.

Just as the commentators were still speculating about why they would choose two big men, the trade was announced.

The Knicks and the SuperSonics completed a trade: the Knicks traded Durant in exchange for the two college teammates, Joakim Noah and Al Horford.

They would be teammates once again.

This move left everyone completely dumbfounded.

Were the Knicks lacking big men? Their frontcourt was already strong, so why would they trade Durant for two more?

What kind of move was this?

It didn’t make sense.

And if you didn’t understand, that was the point.

When Horford arrived at the interview spot, a reporter told him, “You can take off that SuperSonics cap now. You’re a Knicks player.”

“What?”

Horford cried out.

He was completely shocked. He asked, “What happened?”

“There was a trade. The Knicks traded Durant for you and Joakim Noah. You two get to be teammates again with the Knicks.”

“Oh! My god! This is incredible! We’ve always wanted to play with Jack Su. In our minds, he’s the GOAT! This is amazing! This is the most perfect thing that could have happened tonight.”

Horford was ecstatic.

But at that moment, Su Xi was rubbing his temples.

He looked at Isaiah Thomas, and Isaiah Thomas looked back at him.

The two stared at each other, at a loss for words.

Then, Su Xi said, “With us grabbing so many big men, are the other teams going to curse us out? They’ll definitely think we’re hoarding assets.”

“Hahahaha.”

Isaiah Thomas let out a hearty laugh. And sure enough, his phone started ringing. Someone was calling to propose a trade.

But he wasn’t in any hurry.

Meanwhile, the Bucks used their sixth pick to select Yi Jianlian.

This was beyond anyone’s expectations.

Even Yi Jianlian himself looked bewildered.

Because he had never worked out for the Bucks. He had originally wanted to join the Warriors, and the Warriors had even given him a draft promise.

But now…

He walked toward the stage in a daze and shook hands with Stern.