Chapter 190 Never agree!

   shook his head, Colangelo said with a smile: "Of course not, this lineup is very good now, whether it is you or Kevin Johnson, both are still playing.

   In addition, I have contacted Dan Marley's agent, Marley's four-year rookie contract is over, and the team will keep him.

   So we will not dismantle the current lineup, we will only strengthen it. "

   "So what do you mean?" asked Buckley.

   Colangelo said: "I mean, the inside line will increase the tactical position of the old K, and the traditional center tactics will be the main."

   "Sure enough."

  Barkley was mentally prepared.

   He doesn't want to leave the Suns for the time being. There is still a chance to win the championship here. He still wants to continue to win the championship. Jordan has two rings, and he wants to get another one.

   But at the same time, he doesn't want to lose his core position. Once his tactical status declines, it will have a great impact. For example, his commercial value will definitely drop sharply.

   In the second half of this season, many of the team's tactics were played around the old K. His tactical status has declined, but that's okay. He hopes that the old K can grow up faster and help him compete for the championship.

But now that he has won the championship, and even won the four hard honors in a single season, his career is already perfect, and he is still in his peak state. If he wants to assist Old K, and completely focus on Old K, it makes him a little uncomfortable. Willing to.

   Colangelo said at this time: "The Bulls have an iron triangle. I hope you, old K, and Kevin Johnson can also form an iron triangle to help the team achieve consecutive championships."

   Although he said that, he actually understands that it is very difficult, or even impossible, for the team to win consecutive championships.

The reason is very simple, the team's perimeter is already aging, Kevin Johnson's state has been declining, and it is difficult to find a replacement for such a first-class or even top point guard, so even if the Suns retain the current lineup , In the case of the Bulls strengthening, it is also very difficult to win the championship next season, and the chance is too small.

  Because of this, he decided to take the initiative to make a major lineup adjustment, and complete the replacement of the old and new cores when the team's strength has not really dropped significantly.

   A superstar traded like Barkley has no sense of belonging to the Suns. He will stay if he has the chance to win the championship, and he may leave if he does not have the opportunity to win the championship.

So he wants to build his own superstar. What he wants is the kind of superstar who defends one city by one person. Whether the Suns are at the peak or at the bottom, they are willing to fight for the Suns. Barkley can't be such a person. And the old K is.

After the old K has established himself on the inside, he can support the team, and then slowly find opportunities to rebuild the outside. Otherwise, once Kevin Johnson really ages, even Barkley can't, the team can only carry out real reconstruction.

   Now, by actively adjusting in advance, it can still retain a good competitiveness.

   Of course, this requires the cooperation of Barkley. If Barkley chooses not to cooperate, then use Barkley to exchange some chips and directly complete the reconstruction of the team.

   In the end, the team has already won the championship, and now he is thinking about the construction of the future team the most. As for defending the title next season, it is not his most important goal.

   As long as the old K grows up, at that time several super centers are old, Jordan is also old, and the Suns have a lot of chances to win the championship.

  Buckley has been thinking about this issue for a few days, and now he is officially facing the problem, and he can't make a decision quickly for a while. He can only say: "Sir, I need some time to think about it."

   Colangelo could only nod his head, saying yes.

  After lunch, the two separated, and Colangelo rushed to the airport with his assistant.

   "Maureen, you are right, the management has decided that my tactical position on the team will be adjusted downward." Back home, Barkley said.

   "Do you have any decision?" Maureen asked with concern.

"No…"

  Barkley shook his head hesitantly and said, "Old K is my brother, but I think I can still play. I'm only thirty years old and still at my peak."

   Maureen said with a smile: "You decide for yourself, talk to David first, anyway, I will support you no matter what you decide."

   "Thank you, dear." Buckley laughed.

   Next, he notified his agent, Jordan's agent, David Frank.

   "Really, are you sure that the Suns want to lower your tactical status and support the old K?"

When    received his call, there was obvious joy in David Frank's tone.

At this time, David Frank was sitting in the large living room of Jordan's luxury villa, clutching the speaker of his mobile phone, and looking at Jordan next to him with joy: "Listen, Michael, a great opportunity, Barkley may will leave the sun."

"what?"

  Jordan jumped up immediately, unable to sit still.

   "Hey, are you listening, David?" Buckley urged over there.

   "I'm listening, of course I'm listening. Go ahead, I've been listening." David Frank said quickly.

  Jordan sat down again, sitting next to him, his ear close to Frank's phone.

"David, I don't know what to do now, I'm not old, I just won the MVP, Finals MVP and championship, and was selected to the best team, I can last at least a few years at the top, what do you think I should do? ?" Barkley said in annoyance.

"Listen, Charles, since they don't take you seriously and would rather go for a young guy with no defense, then you should make your own decision. You're not selling to the Suns, and you're not a rookie vassal of old K, ya. You should have your own thoughts, your own interests, and you must have them.”

   David Frank said in a very positive tone.

"did you mean?"

   Barkley was hesitant, he didn't want to leave the Suns.

  David Frank exclaimed: "Charles, you are a superstar, how can you help a second-year rookie when you are at your peak?

   They also have Kevin Johnson, the old boss, who has more influence on the Suns than you, and you're not even the second boss.

  You continue to stay there and can only be the third-in-command. Ba Laosan, you are not even better than Pippen, is this the result you want? No, I won't allow it.

   There is no superstar in his prime who is willing to be the second and third. You must not do stupid things. Their choice is extremely disrespectful to you. They are humiliating you. You should not have any concerns. get out of there, understand? "

   "Ba Laosan? Alas!"

   Buckley sighed and said hesitantly: "Okay, let's talk about it today, I'll think about it first, and we'll talk when we find time."

   "I will find you tomorrow, you are my most important superstar, this is my most important job right now." David Frank said.

   "OK." Buckley said.

   "Oh hoo!"

   hung up the phone, and David Frank and Jordan screamed with excitement.

   There is no doubt that Barkley has been tempted to leave the Suns, otherwise he will decisively refuse.

   Regardless of whether the Bulls can get Barkley or not, at least one thing, the Suns are finished, so even if the Bulls maintain their current lineup, they will have a strong championship competitiveness in the new season.

   "I immediately informed Mr. Reinsdorf that Barkley's contract was small, and it would be good if he could be traded in," said David Frank.

  Jordan nodded and said excitedly: "I must let that guy from Barkley leave Phoenix, I don't care where he goes."

   Having said this, he quickly changed his words and said: "But you can't go to New York, Houston and the Spurs."

  David Frank thought for a while and said: "I can't arbitrarily decide on Barkley's trade, he definitely wants to go to a strong team that can win the championship.

  Michael, the Bulls still need to trade, and now what you most need to strengthen is not the 4th, but the 5th, and the need for Barkley is not particularly large. "

   Jordan nodded and said, "If the Suns chose Barkley and gave up the old K, it would be fine."

   Having said this, he couldn't help but froze, and so did David Frank, and the two couldn't help but smile bitterly.

   A few minutes later, Reinsdorf understood the matter and notified the general manager Jerry Krause, and the two discussed it on the phone.

Jerry Krause only thought about it for ten seconds and said: "Boss, although Barkley's contract is not big, it is actually very difficult for us to trade him, we have no bargaining chip, even with the draft picks in the next few years. Same.

   Also, the Suns probably wouldn't want to trade Barkley to us at all, maybe absolutely not, we're their main championship contender. "

   "Since that's the case, then you can figure it out."

Reinsdorf still believes very much in Krause's ability. This Bulls team, from head coach Phil Jackson to the player's lineup, is all built by this general manager. Two consecutive championships are the best. prove.

   On the afternoon of the 29th, David Frank arrived in Phoenix to visit the Barkleys.

   The two chatted for a long time, and finally he left with a smile.

   But he didn't leave Phoenix because he was going to have a conversation with the Suns management next.

   This evening, in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the 1993 NBA draft begins.

   The Suns have their own No. 27 pick at the end of the first round, and the Bulls’ No. 25 pick in the first round. That second-round pick is basically worthless, and he will not easily give a contract to anyone who is selected.

Colangelo's original plan was to choose a small forward, or a swingman, to make up for the lack of perimeter, but after talking with Barkley, he decided to choose a defensive-oriented forward to prevent Barkley from there problem appear.

   He has to choose between Barkley and the old K, which is nothing to think about.

   Even if Barkley is a superstar, even if he is still in his prime, his choice is still K, who is ten years younger than Barkley, so after the final decision is made, he is ready to lose Barkley.

  Old K's performance in the playoffs, especially in the finals, was not inferior to Barkley's, which made him make his final determination.

This determination is not good. After all, he is giving up a superstar like Barkley in his prime, but he is focusing on the future. If K can stay healthy, the Suns will be the most competitive in the league in the next five to ten years. Championship level team.

   As for Barkley, he is very clear that although he is still in his prime, he has many injuries. This season, he has been fighting with injuries for the championship. There are great hidden dangers in choosing him.

   And Barkley has been in Philadelphia for so many years, except for his rookie season, he has not even scored in the Eastern Conference finals, and his ability to lead the team has also been doubted by him.

   He actually wants Barkley to stay, as long as he reduces some tactical low positions, but he is not sure whether a superstar like Barkley is willing to agree and whether he is willing to assist Old K.

   At the same time, more importantly, since the old K is to be cultivated as the new core, if the old core is unwilling to cooperate, it can only be cleaned, and there is no second possibility.

  He wants to clear all obstacles for the old K's upper position.

   At half past eight, the draft begins.

The No. 1 pick belongs to the Orlando Magic. This team had the ninth record in the East in the past season, but it couldn’t match their bursting luck. Draw the champion lottery.

   This year's rookie, the most likely to be No. 1 is Chris Webber, a very good guy who can play center and power forward.

But the Magic didn't want to draft him, because the Magic already had one of the best big men in history, and they were looking at swingman Anfernee Hardaway, a guy who went from one to three. .

  The management had reached an agreement with the Warriors before the draft. The Warriors wanted Chris Webber most, and they were the No. 3 overall pick.

The Magic will select Chris Webber, then the Warriors will select Penny Anfernee Hardaway at the 3rd position, and use him plus the Warriors' three future first-round picks to trade Webber, so that the Magic can make a lot of money from it, the Warriors are better than the Magic. Crap, their three first-round picks are worth a fortune.

   Soon, most of the first round of the draft has passed, and gradually it is in the second half of the first round.

   Colangelo took forward Corey Blunt at 25 and Malcolm McGee at 27. Both are forwards, and McGee can play a dozen centers.

   But he doesn't have much hope either. When he falls into this position, he's all things with little potential.

   This year's draft is actually very strange. Many meat shields that were not in the market in previous years are all in demand this time.

  The draft is over, and the NBA's trading window has opened, and the management of each team has entered the busiest stage.

   At two noon on the 30th, Colangelo returned to Phoenix.

   "Sir, David Frank, Barkley's agent, wants to see you." Back at headquarters, Assistant Tom reported.

   He nodded, which was expected, and asked, "Have you made an appointment?"

   "In an hour," Tom said.

   "OK."

   He nodded and waved his assistant to leave.

   I was alone in the office and smiled wryly. After hearing the news, I feel very tired now after continuous long-distance flights.

   But in order for the Suns to maintain a strong strength in the next few years, he has to adjust the current lineup, which is impossible.

  If Barkley chooses to leave, the Suns are likely to lose their competitiveness for the championship in the new season, but he has made up his mind and will not change.

   In fact, he can also wait another year or two, wait until the first contract of the old K is finished, and then let the old K take the hand of Barkley.

   But even so, it is difficult to win the championship with the current basic lineup.

   The reason is very simple. The Bulls will definitely strengthen the inside line. Once Jordan gets a more powerful inside helper, it will be difficult for the Suns to win the Bulls now, so they must make major adjustments.

  If Barkley really wants to leave, then try to use his trade value as much as possible to make up for the loss of his departure as much as possible, and hope to remain strong in the new season.

   An hour passed quickly, and he met David Frank in the office, currently the top agent in the league.

  This agent has a lot of stars and has a great influence in the NBA.

   In addition to the biggest Jordan, there are also big superstars such as Barkley, Ewing and Stockton.

   In addition, there are also many rookies, such as last year's rookie Mourning, the previous year's rookie Mutombo, etc. They are all promising rookies.

  So when David Frank faced Colangelo, his momentum was not weak at all.

   "David, long time no see, nice to meet you, welcome to Phoenix."

   "Jerry, nice to meet you, congratulations on winning the championship."

   "Thank you, please take a seat."

   The two chatted for a while, Colangelo left the desk and asked Franco to sit down on the single sofa next to him.

   “Good coffee.”

   "Yes, cat **** specially prepared for you, you like this."

"thanks."

  Assistant Tom went out after serving coffee. The two became silent, drinking coffee and chatting a few nonsense while observing each other.

   As the master, Colangelo was the first to break the silence and said, "David, are you here today for Charles?"

   "Of course, my player is the only one on the Suns." Frank laughed.

   The two put down their coffee cups almost at the same time and stepped into the topic.

   "Jerry, I don't agree with the Suns' lowering Charles' tactical status. He must be the core and leader of the Suns. I absolutely disagree."

   David Frank's first sentence, he said it directly, which made Colangelo feel very bad, then Frank said again:

"He is the biggest star of the Suns and a superstar in the history of the league. He won the MVP, Finals MVP, Finals, and the best first team in one season. No management team would dare to do this. No one dares to abolish the core position of a superstar in his prime."

   He stared hard at Colangelo, and said in a very serious tone: "Jerry, are you planning to rebuild? Is it worth it for a rookie, a sophomore who doesn't even have a defense?

  You know, you are humiliating Charles, you are humiliating a historical superstar for a Chinese who is nothing.

   So neither I nor Charles would endure such humiliation. "

   Colangelo smiled bitterly, and was speechless for a moment.

   He is indeed very bold and dares to give up Barkley, who just won the MVP and FMVP. You must know that once the news is announced, the whole world will be shocked.

   "Want to take my advice?" David Frank said at this time.

   "You said." Colangelo nodded.

David Frank stared at Colangelo with oppressive eyes, and said word by word: "Jerry, my advice to you is, don't give up on Charles, he can help you get the second president. Championship trophies, even dynasties.

   And what you have to do is give up the Chinese who is nothing, put him on the shelf, he can get you some good chips, and you can use these chips to build a stronger championship lineup. "

  Colangelo for a while, do you think I'm a fool?

   Even if I don’t give up Barkley, I can keep my current lineup and play style, do I need to trade old K?

   With just this sentence, he completely understood David Frank's intentions.

  This guy is helping Jordan and wants to destroy the Suns. Even if the Bulls can't trade the old K, the Suns will withdraw from the championship competition.

  As for winning the championship with Barkley, don’t be ridiculous, what has Barkley done in Philadelphia for so many years? He couldn't even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, and he didn't even make it to the playoffs in the 1991/92 season. Otherwise, how could it be abandoned by Philadelphia?

   And, if he hadn't picked up the old K this season, would the solar have won the championship? Not very likely.

   (end of this chapter)