NBA: A collection of super busts

Chapter 121 I want Rasheed! Then I want O'Neal!

With a meaningless defeat and improved abilities, Ye Feng and Kidd returned to New Jersey to prepare for the second half of the season.

It's worth mentioning that shortly after the All-Star Game comes another incredibly important milestone in the NBA regular season.

Trading deadline!

Each team will make final roster adjustments before the deadline, deciding whether to strengthen or weaken their roster, strive for a better record or completely tank to chase the number one draft pick.

At the same time, the deadline is not only a test for the management of each team, but also a challenge to the players' mentality.

Many players who are the subject of rumors or whose status is not so secure will tremble with fear and have a bad mentality before the deadline, which will lead to poor performance.

In short, if All-Star Weekend is a celebration for elite players and fans, then Deadline is a major day that will influence the direction and trend of the entire league.

The New York Knicks were the first to make a move!

The Knicks have been making some big moves lately. After being thrashed by Ye Feng and the Nets, owner Dolan fired the general manager and hired league legend, "The Smiling Assassin" Isiah Thomas. Thomas made headlines shortly after taking office.

He used Howard Eisley, Maciej Lampe, Antonio McDiez, Milos Vujanić,

Charlie Ward, along with two first-round draft picks in 2004 and 2010, were traded to the Phoenix Suns for Anfernee, Hardaway, and Stephon Marbury.

From a purely statistical standpoint, the Knicks made a huge profit from this trade.

The strongest players they traded were just regular rotation players. Considering that Marbury, although not an All-Star, is quite capable with a stable output of 20+8 per game, trading only two first-round draft picks and a bunch of spare change for this "Son of New York" was definitely a steal.

But the Suns weren't stupid. They did sell Marbury for a very low price, but they also managed to sell Hardaway along the way!

Years of injuries have turned Hardaway into an unremarkable role player, averaging only 8 points and 4 assists per game this season.

But he also has a huge contract worth nearly 5000 million over the next three years.

By trading away the mediocre Hardaway, saving $4-5000 million in expenses, and also sending away Marbury, who had a poor relationship with the team and mediocre coaching record, the Suns definitely didn't lose out.

They can now embark on the reconstruction journey with peace of mind.

Then, with their rising star Randolph developing rapidly this season and becoming a reliable big man averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, the Trail Blazers finally decided to trade Rasheed Wallace to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Rasheed Wallace, Ratliff, and Dan DiCau.

Meanwhile, in Dumars' office in Detroit, Ben Affleck frowned, somewhat disgruntled, and said, "Didn't we agree to get Rasheed on board and have him come play for us?"

"I've been trying my best," Dumas said with a smile. "I just don't understand why you insist on Rashid. Is it because you found out he's a distant cousin?"

"No!" Ben shook his head. "But I'm sure we need him. He'll be our final piece of the puzzle, our best partner, and the one who will allow us to evolve again."

"What makes you think that way?" Dumars still didn't understand. Ever since the All-Star Game, Ben Wallace had inexplicably become obsessed with Rasheed. Every time Dumars asked him how the team needed to strengthen its roster, Wallace would call out that name.

"I want Rashid."

"Portland won't sell. Listen to me, I'll find you an even better power forward."

"I want Rashid."

"Rashid has a bad temper, you'll fight."

"I want Rashid."

"How about I find you a backup center and a great power forward? You take a look..."

"I want Rashid."

"With Rashid around, you're no longer the team leader."

"9

"I want Rashid!"

Dumas really doesn't know what's wrong with Ben Affleck.

Actually, even Ben Affleck himself didn't know.

He had forgotten what Ye Feng had said to him before the All-Star game: "Will Rashid be angry?"

His limited memory prevented him from recalling that casual remark, but the name Rashid remained firmly etched in his mind.

Then, for some inexplicable reason, Ben thought: This is a gift and hint from God, and we need Rashid.

He was determined to have it.

"Alright, alright, Rashid Lashid! I'll go ask the people in Atlanta, okay?"

Fortunately, Atlanta is also a rebuilding team, and they are not interested in a second-tier star like Rasheed in his prime, nor are they prepared to include him in the team's long-term development.

They bought Rashid because his contract was smaller than Ratliff's and Rahim's combined, which would save them a little money.

And now that Detroit has made another offer, they agreed without much hesitation.

Soon after playing only one game for the Hawks, Rasheed was traded to Detroit in a three-team deal.

The Hawks acquired Rebraza, Sura, and a 04 first-round draft pick from the Celtics.

The Pistons essentially acquired Rasheed Wallace, a star player in his prime, with just one draft pick, which can be considered a huge win for them.

After all, Rashid has two major problems.

1. Short-tempered.

But the whole of Detroit is known for its fiery tempers, so he might not necessarily be unable to fit into the team.

2. Expensive.

However, as we all know, expensive players often only have one drawback: they are expensive.

Of course, what made Dumars decide to sign Rasheed was that his offensive and defensive styles were a perfect match for Detroit and Ben Wallace. He was indeed, as Wallace said, a great fit to be the final piece of the puzzle for the team.

Although Ben Wallace was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, he lacked height, defensive skills, and one-on-one ability. Duncan, O'Neal, and even Yao Ming could easily defeat him every time they faced him.

Rashid's top-notch defensive skills and sufficient height and size perfectly compensate for Ben Wallace's defensive shortcomings, allowing Wallace to roam freely, assist in protecting the basket, and showcase his top-notch positioning and judgment on the defensive end.

In addition, he also possesses the offensive firepower that the Pistons desperately need. Rasheed's addition will give the Pistons, the team with the poorest offense among all the top teams in the league, a more balanced and powerful offensive force.

Furthermore, the Atlanta residents were only interested in saving money and didn't actually want to keep him, which is why the deal was completed so quickly.

As for the Celtics as the third party, they received Atkins, Hunter, and a draft pick from the Pistons, while trading Mills and Mike James.

They gained immediate impact, improved their roster, and traded away players outside the rotation, giving them a stronger chance to make a playoff push.

Aside from these few transactions, the rest were just insignificant side deals.

Top championship contenders like the Timberwolves, Lakers, Spurs, and Pacers all chose to remain quiet during this deadline, making no trades.

Meanwhile, Nets general manager Rod Thorn called Ye Feng and Kidd into his office several times after the All-Star Game.

He wanted to talk to the two of them to understand their needs.

"The team can make some changes. We have some draft picks that we can trade, and if needed, we can also trade some players. We have big contracts that we can send out."

"Achoo!" Antonio Davis sneezed while training, instinctively feeling a bit cold.

He has been sent to new teams twice as a junk contract and a catch-all player, and this time, he is ready for it too.

"I think we're missing a true center, a tough and aggressive one. If we can fill that position, our roster will be perfect!" Kidd said confidently. "I happen to know someone who's having problems with the team, and they'll almost certainly trade him."

"Who? I'll make a call and ask." Thorne smiled, waiting for Kidd's recommendation. This was one of the ways for the management to build a good relationship with the team's core players—more communication and discussion.

"Shaq O'Neal!" Kidd said confidently and seriously, uttering a name.

Thorne almost wanted to smash the guy to death with the ashtray next to him.

Shaquille O'Neal, is he someone we can get our hands on?

"Stop talking nonsense, Jason. The Los Angeles team won't trade Shaq this year." Ye Feng said righteously, "If they're going to form the Big Four, they only have one goal: even if Kobe and Shaq are pointing guns at each other's heads in the locker room."

"The management team won't make any deals."

"Yes!" Thorne immediately nodded and denounced Kidd, "I didn't call you here to joke around!"

"I think we can't just look at reputation; we need to be more pragmatic." Ye Feng stroked his chin, deep in thought. "If we can poach a few key players from our competitors, it will not only strengthen our roster but also effectively weaken our opponents."

"That makes sense!" Thorne nodded, feeling that Ye Feng was really going to help him come up with a solution: "Perhaps the loss of a role player could cause a strong team to collapse directly. What's that saying again? The New York sewers are destroyed by an ant hole."

"How about Reggie Miller?" Ye Feng followed up, "He can fill the gap in our perimeter offense, which is severely lacking because some of our core players can't shoot. And without him, the Pacers' chemistry will definitely collapse immediately!"

"Do you even want to hear what you're saying?!" Before Thorne could even begin to yell, Kidd slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "I won't allow you to criticize Richard's shooting! He's been working hard on his three-pointers too! We don't need Miller! That's a betrayal of Richard!"

?

Thorne's eyes widened in surprise.

Is that the reason?

Besides, this kid is obviously mocking you, okay?

Then Thorne slammed his hand on the table. He had figured it out: what's the point of getting entangled in this?

Those two are unreliable.

"Get out of here, you two! I'd rather draw lots to decide who I recruit than ask you two!"

"When you draw lots, remember to put O'Neal's name in the draw." Kidd still couldn't forget O'Neal in his heart.

"roll!"

Kidd and Ye Feng stood up, laughing and joking. Then Ye Feng turned to him and said, "Relax, Rod. We all know you want to help the team. But don't rush things."

"We are confident that we can contend for the championship with our current roster," Kidd said. "We had already discussed this before we came here, and we don't want any big trades that would ruin our perfect chemistry. We don't really need any new players."

97

These two people... Thorne grinned.

They weren't causing trouble; they were helping me relax!

"Of course, if you can handle O'Neal..."

'

Thorne completely lost his patience, all traces of goodwill vanished, and he pointed at the door, cursing loudly.