Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 418 Trading O'Neal

Tang Sen did not make a clear statement.

Aldridge and Bynum's mother naturally dared not announce that Townsend had decided to train Bynum.

They told the truth, but clearly overestimated the journalists' bottom line.

Media reports directly claimed that Townsend had his eye on Bynum, and even stated that the 05 number one draft pick had already been decided.

However, some media outlets still have some integrity.

For example, the Los Angeles Times.

They not only reported the facts truthfully, but also contradicted them.

They believe that Townsend did not actually have his eye on Bynum.

This situation is the same as Howard's situation before.

But two years ago, Townsend took a liking to Howard on the spot and had him come to New York to report directly.

This time, after watching the game, they also gave Bynum a test.

Then they left directly.

This precisely illustrates that it wasn't that they had their eye on someone, but rather that they hadn't.

Therefore, the Los Angeles Times believes that Bynum lacks talent and has been abandoned by Townsend.

They even analyzed the reasons.

It's clear that Bynum is aiming for the path of a heavy-weight center like O'Neal.

However, Bynum has injury concerns and is at great risk of gaining weight.

They believe that this is why Tang Sen chose to give up.

Jackson saw the Los Angeles Times report.

All the teams in the league are paying attention to Townsend's movements, so how could Jackson not be?

In the office, Kupchak approached Jackson to discuss Bynum.

Despite the Times' analysis, Kupchak still believes that Townsend will intervene and train Bynum.

There's only one reason: I didn't choose Bynum, and since I was bored, I went to watch Bynum's games.

Since they went to watch the game, they must have acknowledged Bynum's talent.

At least Bynum has a very good chance.

“Mickey, you want... to get this brat?” Jackson understood the implication in Kupchak’s words.

Kupchak didn't deny it, so that was an admission.

Jackson was startled and quickly said, "You're overthinking it. If this kid can train with Tang, he's guaranteed to be the number one draft pick."

"But if Tang isn't willing to take over his training, then what's the point of having him, a 17-year-old brat?"

Jackson watched the television broadcast of Bynum's game footage.

Honestly, I think it's just so-so.

You definitely have talent, but if you don't meet a good mentor, it could take several years to see if you can make it big.

Kupchak said, "I know, but if Don is really willing to take on the kid's training, then I think we might as well give it a shot and see if we can get the number one pick."

He didn't finish his sentence, but a strange glint appeared in his eyes.

But Jackson was a very clever man. After a moment's thought, he suddenly widened his eyes.

"Fuck, Mickey, you wouldn't be thinking of... trading Shaq, would you?" Jackson asked in a low voice, shocked.

Given the Lakers' record, it's impossible for them to get the number one draft pick, or even a lottery pick.

The only option then is to trade.

But they're not stupid. Why would they trade away a top draft pick when another cornerstone player personally trained by Tang Sen is already on the team?

Unless they have a bargaining chip they have no choice but to accept.

The Lakers have two such assets.

Kobe is absolutely out of the question. He's a guard, a guaranteed ticket to the Lakers, and Jerry Buss's favorite player.

Kobe won't do, it has to be Shaq.

Trading Shaquille O'Neal for the number one draft pick might actually find a team willing to do it.

The problem is, that's Shaquille O'Neal. The most dominant center in the league, who would be willing to trade him?

Kupchak raised his hand to signal Jackson to calm down, then said, "Phil, don't you think Shaq is really getting old?"

“He’s 33 years old, and injuries have started to take their toll on his body. You have to admit, he’s starting to go downhill.”

Jackson remained silent, that much is true.

Kupchak continued, "If he's willing to train hard every summer, like going to Don's training camp, then I think there's no problem. He's still the best center in the league."

Tang Sen clearly has a knack for maintaining his physical condition.

Hill is still playing.

Weber's patient has also been doing well this year.

Tang Sen has the ability to compensate for a serious injury and maintain your athletic ability even if you lose it, he can find other ways to help you maintain your strength.

Putting everything else aside, sending O'Neal to the Townsend training camp would at least help him lose some weight.

“But Shaq doesn’t want to go. You were turned away last year too, so you know his attitude.”

Last summer, Jackson personally tried to persuade O'Neal, but it was no use.

Indulging in the offseason and recovering from injuries during the regular season, O'Neal is now too shrewd.

Kupchak continued, "Also, Shaq's salary is too high. He's locked up any possibility of us strengthening our roster. You know, his contract for next year is a whopping 30 million."

“There were no substitutes before, so there was nothing we could do. In order to win the championship, we had to accept it.”

"But now there might be an alternative. Do you think a $30 million contract is better, or a rookie contract is more suitable?"

Jackson thought to himself, "Nonsense, who wouldn't want to benefit from the rookie bonus?"

The key question is whether Bynum can replace O'Neal.

Kupchak advised, "Think about it, Shaq is only at a 20+10 level right now, while the interior players that Tang trains start at 20+10."

"Shaq wasn't willing to cooperate with Kobe tactically, and they never really worked together. If we had a rookie, even if he was the number one draft pick, he would have cooperated with Kobe willingly."

"We gave Kobe such a big contract, seven years, and from now on our team can only revolve around him."

According to Kupchak, if only one of Kobe and Shaq could stay, it would have to be the younger Kobe.

"And Phil, you have to admit, even if we keep Shaq, it might be difficult to win a championship in the short term."

"Leaving aside the Knicks, let's talk about the Spurs, Mavericks, and Suns. It won't be easy for us to break out of the West."

"The landscape of the league has changed. With the Knicks' current strength, it would take at least three star players to compete with them."

"Trade Shaq for the number one pick, get Bynum, free up salary cap space, and then send two more players over during summer training camp, so we'll have four stars next season."

"Only in this way can we continue to remain competitive."

Kupchak and Jackson analyzed.

Jackson didn't speak, but crossed his arms and fell into deep thought.

He was surprised to find that what Kupchak said actually made a lot of sense.

The main problem is that the competition in the West is too fierce now.

Because of Townsend's million-dollar training camp, every team has good players, making it easy to slip up unexpectedly.

Just a few days ago, it toured the West Coast, challenging the Texas Trio.

We lost to the Spurs.

With Duncan now playing center, he can step out and dominate, which is very effective against O'Neal.

They narrowly lost to the Mavericks.

Nowitzki is a monster, he scored a whopping 51 points, he's inhuman.

They won against the Rockets, who were weak in the paint.

The top five teams in the Western Conference are now very close in terms of wins; a single victory could result in a drop in the rankings.

In this situation, it's easy for a team to unexpectedly falter in the playoffs.

Even after a difficult fight their way out of the West, they still have to run into the invincible Knicks.

As Kupchak said, the chances of winning the championship are really slim.

It would be better to reduce salary expenditures, try to capitalize on the rookie bonus, and wait for the Knicks to disintegrate.

(End of this chapter)