At this time, the draft had reached the fourth pick. The Suns used their draft pick to select Domantas Sabonis from Gonzaga University. He is the son of international basketball celebrity Avidas Sabonis. After Morris was traded, the Suns obviously needed a potential inside player to strengthen.

"Ship Tang, is it okay?" Gong Luming got up from his seat at this time, walked to him and asked with concern.

"It's okay, Director Gong, this won't affect me." Tang Shuai said with a smile, barely pushing out a smile.

"It's fine." Gong Luming stopped talking, and finally nodded, walked back to his seat.

"Is it okay?" Li Muhao and Zhao Dapeng, who were beside him, also asked with concern one after another.

Tang Shuai shook his head and indicated that it was okay, so they turned around.

The draft continued, but Tang Shuai's attention was no longer on this, so he turned around and started communicating with Duffy.

Being traded is not the result he wants, but he has been traded, so he can't complain about himself. He is not in the United States now and can't do more, but he must also have some basic understanding of the Lakers.

Unlike the Clippers, the Lakers are a team with a long history. The achievements they have achieved are incomparable to other players. The championship flags hung over the stadium have already made other teams feel ashamed.

However, 30 years from the east to the west, no matter how brilliant the past is, it is impossible to ensure that the team will continue to flourish. Since Gasol left the team and Kobe was injured, the Lakers have completely become the bottom team. This is their second consecutive season record in the West, and even had only had a pitiful 17 games last season, ranking second to last in the league. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are the most embarrassing team in the West.

When glory retreats, the Lakers' light is gradually replaced by the Clippers in the same city. By the time Kobe retires this season, the Lakers can be said to be the most dangerous period. If they cannot rise within the next one to two years, they will be completely replaced by the Clippers.

Duffy kept talking to Tang Shuai about the current situation of the Lakers.

The new TV broadcast contract will take effect next season, the salary cap will rise sharply, and the players' salaries will rise higher. Moreover, there is no shortage of big names in the free market this year. Durant and James' contracts will expire, Wade and Howard also chose to give up the player option. Whiteside, DeRozan, Barnes and other players will enter the free market, not including strong functional players such as Conley, Rondo, and Batum.

It can be said that the next free market will definitely not be calm, and the Lakers have also ushered in a crucial opportunity.

The contract signed by Kobe and the Lakers was as high as 25 million. After Kobe announced his retirement, it means that the Lakers will receive 25 million in salary space. This is not considered the expiration of the contract, and Hibert will basically not be renewed. Hibert's original contract had more than 15 million, which combined with the increased salary cap. If everyone is willing to come, it is no problem to sign James and Durant's maximum salary contracts nakedly.

Of course, this must be just a one-sided intention, but the importance of this offseason to the Lakers is self-evident. It is best to sign a big brand. If you can't sign it, you can only sign a premium contract if you can't sign it.

One step at heaven and one step at abyss depends entirely on the performance this offseason.

Kupchek is obviously not the kind of person who is patient in reconstruction. He trades Gasol and Paul but failed. These big deals all show that his team-building method is to buy, buy, buy.

This time he put the bet on Tang Shuai, a Chinese man, and a crazy big bet.

"The Lakers have salary space this season, and Walton, who just signed with the Warriors, is the new head coach of the team. The desire to do something big has been revealed. If you get a deal, you are trained as the absolute core. And you don't even have to move in Los Angeles." Duffy said at the end.

Tang Shuai didn't say anything. What Duffy said was indeed a favorable aspect, but after being traded to the Lakers, it means that he would be in the same city as his former teammates in the future. This feeling is indeed not so comfortable.

"22nd pick in the first round of 2016, Charlotte Hornets choose"

Just as Tang Shuai and Duffy were communicating, the draft pick had already reached the 22nd place, and the players were now focusing their attention on TV.

According to previous interest teams, the Hornets expressed interest in Zhou Qi, with the highest mid-term ranking and the most likely team to choose Zhou Qi.

"Will the Hornets choose Zhou Qi?" Ke Fan's slightly excited voice came from the TV.

Tang Shuai also stopped communicating with Duffy and turned his gaze to TV.

"Malik Beasley, 19, is from the big Florida shooting guard."

Xiao Hua's subsequent voice disappointed the players, and the Hornets finally chose a shooting guard.

"What did the Hornets think? They already have Walker, Li, and Jeremy Lin. Now they actually chose another defender, which is really hard to understand." Ke Fan said with some complaints, and it could be seen that the more he went back, the more impetuous he was in his mood.

In fact, it’s not just Ke Fan, but also all domestic basketball fans are paying attention to this draft.

After taking the photos, Xiao Hua turned around and entered the backstage again. He went in and out thirty times on the talent show night, which was really tiring.

"I think the next week should be selected." At this moment, Duffy turned his head and whispered to Tang Shuai.

"Yes" Tang Shuai looked at Duffy in confusion.

"There are several teams in the trial week, Phoenix has 28 picks left, the Clippers have 25 picks left, and Boston has 23 picks and 35 picks left. These teams are very interested in Zhou, and the Celtics have the most draft picks. Once other players make moves, he will make an early choice without hesitation. And Danny doesn't get you, maybe he will have some different ideas." Duffy explained.

"If you really go to Boston, it will be a very good choice for Zhou Qi." Tang Shuai nodded and said.

At this moment, Xiao Hua walked out of the backstage for the 23rd time, and the iconic three-leaf clover icon of the Green Shirt Army began to appear on the scrolling screen behind him.

"23rd pick in the first round of NBA in 2016, Boston Kate people choose"

Xiao Hua paused a little long this time, and the team members held their breath and looked at the screen with all their eyes wide open, as if the words followed were not spoken from Xiao Hua's mouth, but from the screen.

"Zhou Qi, from China, is a 20-year-old power forward." Xiao Hua continued to recite.

"Zhou Qi and Zhou Qi were selected." The moment Zhou Qi's name was pronounced, Ke Fan's voice instantly exploded from the TV.

"yeah"

Immediately in the room, the team members jumped up excitedly, picked up the champagne that had been prepared long ago, and sprayed it directly at Zhou Qi.

The room suddenly fell into a crazy celebration.

Tang Shuai and Duffy stood in the outside circle of the player, smiling at the crazy scene in front of him.

It is hard to guess whether Anji missed Tang Shuai to win Zhou Qi at this position, but the 23rd place was selected by the Celtics, which is not very good but definitely not bad. For Zhou Qi, it is already a pretty good result to take advantage of the Celtics with a deep foundation.

And what is more profound is that from this moment on, the scene of Chinese competing on the NBA stage will once again appear, which is definitely a great news for Chinese fans.

The crazy mood lasted for a long time, and in the end it was almost lifted Zhou Qi up and turned to the sky. Even Gong Luming was also laughing and laughing.

Zhou Qi is the disciple he focused on training. It is definitely something worth celebrating for this old coach to achieve such achievements now.

When the players celebrated the whole team, the first round of drafts was almost done.

After recovering from excitement, the team members smiled and began to clean up the endgames all over the ground after the celebration.

At this time, Xiao Hua had finished his journey in the 2016 draft, and the next second round of draft will be handed over to his assistant Mark Tetum.

"We will have a meal to celebrate Zhou Qi's selection in the evening." At this moment, Chai Wensheng announced.

With this announcement, the team members cheered excitedly. Their diet was strictly controlled during training, and they were really greedy.

"A deal was reached, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers reached a deal, and the Lakers sent 32nd picks to Katangi Lo Russell and Brandon Bass, and the trade was won by the 76ers Norrens Noel and Callandri, as well as the first round draft pick in 2018." At this moment, Tatum said.

When he heard that it was the Lakers, Tang Shuai looked up.

"Kupchek really has to make up his mind to take a gamble." Duffy said with emotion.

Russell was the second pick selected by the Lakers last year. Although his performance was not satisfactory before, his performance in the second half of the season was still remarkable and even showed outstanding potential. However, after the transaction was obtained by Tang Shuai, his trade was expected.

The 76ers chose Simmons again. By the time Joel Embiid returns this season, it is equivalent to having four inside players who need to start. It is imperative to trade one or two of them. This is different from before last year's draft. At this time, the transaction is a win-win situation for both sides.

However, after such continuous transactions, there are few valuable players left on the Lakers. As Duffy said, Kupchek is preparing to bet on the free agent market in July.

After coming out of the room, Tang Shuai received a call from Kupchek.

"Don, I'm very excited that we have the opportunity to trade you. I've seen many games in Los Angeles, and you're definitely worth our efforts." Kuppchek is a passionate general manager. He said excitedly as soon as the phone was answered.

"Mr. Mickey, I am also very happy to join the Lakers. This is a very honorable team." Tang Shuai said politely. People are all emotional animals. Until now, although reason has accepted the fact that they are traded, it is still difficult to give up their Clippers teammates.

"You will be excited. We fully support you in playing the national team. I heard that the Clippers did not buy insurance for you before. I will ask someone to deal with it immediately. Just play happily. When you arrive at the Lakers, you will definitely find that this is a warm home." Kupchek said bluntly.

After listening to Kupchek's words, although he hadn't seen the general manager yet, he couldn't help but feel moved. Regardless of the truth or falsehood of these words, with Dave Wall as a comparison, the warmth brought to him in his heart seemed to be very important. To be continued.
Chapter completed!