In fact, the last sentence of Jenny Buss is the real point.
If the Lakers have a chance to acquire James, what's the point of overdrawing their future? The attention and market James can bring to the Lakers is definitely worth the price the Lakers will pay for their future in the next few years.
The real problem is that Wang Feng is unwilling to compete with James on the same stage.
After the All-Star Game, Wang Feng clearly expressed his attitude through his agent.
Want James? Well, trade with me.
There is him without me, there is me without him!
When it comes to this, there is absolutely nothing to talk about.
Therefore, there are actually two options before the Lakers. Wang Feng, who is now 26 years old and is still in the period of rising strength.
Or should we choose James, who is about to turn 35 and is at the end of his prime, but the market and strength are currently better than Wang Feng?
After a long period of struggle, the Lakers made a choice, or in other words, Jenny Buss and Earvin Johnson chose Wang Feng, who is younger and has more potential.
The reason why they chose Wang Feng was after many considerations.
Wang Feng's strong performance this season is the most important factor.
A player who only turned 26 in November this year can average 36+10 per game in the regular season. He definitely has a bright future!
As long as they can retain Wang Feng, the Lakers are equivalent to acquiring a superstar who will be at the top of the league in the next ten years.
Secondly, as a phenomenal superstar, James is still too uncontrollable. Inviting James to the Lakers is equivalent to inviting a god or an uncle. The Lakers must satisfy any request made by the other party as much as possible, just like
James was like that when he was with the Cavaliers.
Furthermore, if you want to trade James, young players such as Ingram and Ball may become trading chips, and you will inevitably have to pay first-round draft picks in the next few years. The price is still a bit too high...
From the perspective of a team manager, Wang Feng is obviously the wiser choice.
Hearing his sister's words, Jim Bass couldn't help but look at Wang Feng, who had a dull expression, and said: "Wang, you should also understand what the team looked like when they faced the Warriors in the playoffs this year. Do you really think so?"
Are you satisfied with this Lakers team? You should know that with the current lineup alone, we cannot win the championship!"
Wang Feng looked at Jim Bass calmly.
"I'm quite satisfied."
There was a brief silence in the conference room.
Everyone's eyes turned to Wang Feng.
"Why, aren't you all satisfied?" Wang Feng shrugged and said easily. "What was the Lakers' record last season? 26 wins, and this year? 52 wins! And they also made it to the conference semifinals. Isn't that enough?
Or do you think that if I were replaced by LeBron or another player in the league, would the Lakers be able to achieve such a record?"
Wang Feng's words touched everyone's heart.
The Lakers, from the management down to every staff member and player, believe that the Lakers have achieved great success this season.
But it is precisely this that gives them great confidence, and they urgently hope that the Lakers can take a further step and directly become a first-line team competing for the championship.
"As for the team's reinforcements... LeBron is not the only star in this league, and you should also realize that in the past five years, LeBron has only won one championship, and with my help."
Wang Feng said calmly: "As for the issue of team reinforcement, I have submitted a list of my intentions to the general manager and head coach. I also hope that the team can strengthen the contract renewal transaction according to the list. If we can gather the players on the list, I am more than 80% sure that the Lakers will win the championship next season!"
Next season, are you 80% certain to win the championship?
Everyone in the conference room looked at Wang Feng as if they were looking at a madman.
What is the signing list he is talking about? It won't let the Lakers sign Durant and George at the same time this season, right? Then they can indeed win the championship next season. The question is is this possible?
"Ahem..."
General Manager Earvin Johnson coughed slightly to attract everyone's attention, and then said. "As for the signing list provided by Wang, I can announce it now. It involves many players, and it is basically feasible. Yes, I think Wang has truly considered the current situation of the Lakers and made a reasonable judgment."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but said: "To be honest, after seeing this list of signings, I even had the urge to retire and let Wang Feng be the general manager of the team. He is more professional than me."
…
After a while, everyone in the conference room was lost in thought, including the two bosses, Jenny Bass and Jim Bass.
This signing list contains many players, which really exceeded many people's expectations.
"I don't quite understand. We already have Ball, so why do we need to sign two point guards, Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose at the same time? Especially Derrick. Although it is only a basic salary, signing one of them is completely incompetent. What’s the point of guarding the ball?”
Wang Feng glanced at the staff member who asked the question.
What's the significance? The significance is that Wang Feng, as a time traveler, knows that Rose can average 18 points and 4 assists in 27 minutes of playing time with the Timberwolves next season, and even have a superb performance of 50 points in a single game.
Is it a waste to sign a point guard who averages 18+4 per game to a low-salary contract?
As for Lonzo Ball, his personal data will only remain at the 13+6 level until 2022, and he will not be able to perform at the All-Star level. He should give it away as a trading chip as soon as possible while there is still trade value. The best choice.
According to Wang Feng's plan, it will be enough for Rondo and Rose to share the playing time equally at the Lakers point guard position next season.
As for the signing target at the forward position, Wang Feng focused on Paul George. If possible, there is no need to pay any price this summer. Signing George as a free agent is the most perfect result.
But if he can't do it, and George chooses to sign with the Thunder like he did in another time and space, Wang Feng's second choice is the Timberwolves' small forward, the toughest player in the league, Jimmy Butler.