NBA: No. 1 Forward

You must know the height of this guy, but he looks more like an inside player than Draymond Green.

Although both are older rookies, Festus Ezeli has a height of 2.11 meters.

And historically, the Warriors also used this draft pick to select Festus Ezeli.

Although afterwards, Festus Ezeli's performance was not very satisfactory, especially as a 'glass jadeite'.

But that is the future, and not everyone can see it.

As far as the current situation is concerned, Festus Ezeli is more reliable than Draymond, whether it is the selection of players with immediate combat power inside, or in terms of future talent and potential of players.

But…

"I was intercepted...sickle, what should I do now?"

Donnie Walsh was also a little dumbfounded. He didn't expect to be intercepted, but the Knicks only prepared this one spot.

With the feeling of being in control, they don't even have a backup plan.

However, now the staff of the NBA League will come to collect the Knicks' draft envelope soon.

The most important thing now is to quickly choose a player.

In this regard, everyone in the draft team is looking at Lian Dao, and Donnie Walsh is no exception.

Looking at the expectant eyes of this group of people, Lian Dao felt very speechless.

"Isn't this **** supposed to be your job?"

"Why do you always push me to be the fire chief in the end?"

"I didn't get an extra salary for the general manager."

Of course, if Lian Dao is willing, I believe James Dolan will definitely be willing to give it.

Lian Dao rolled his eyes helplessly, but he really had two candidates in mind.

Khris Middleton and Jae Crowder!

Both are players who came back from the second round.

Especially Jae Crowder, his growth trajectory in history moved everyone.

It can be called a dick's successful counterattack!

From the beginning of college, it has been counterattacking from the second-tier league to the first-tier league.

After entering the NBA, Jae Crowder was often used as a bargaining chip by various teams.

Throughout his career, Jae Crowder has lived a life of ups and downs.

Even from the moment he was selected, he began to experience a trading career.

But he never gave up on himself.

In one transaction after another, he kept himself angry all the time, and turned this anger into a motivation for improvement.

Evolve, evolve, evolve...

Finally, in Salt Lake City, he completed the transformation from offense to defense, and truly became a qualified 3D player.

From James to Durant, from Antetokounmpo to Butler, Jae Crowder almost defended the league's top 3 players that year.

What is the effect of defense?

The Jazz's data tells everyone the answer:

In the 2017-18 season, the Jazz's defensive efficiency was 102.9, ranking first in the league!

However, when history changes, can he still maintain his anger?

Can he still bloom like in his previous life?

Can he still become an indispensable ultimate puzzle on the road to the championship?

In the past, Lian Dao felt that under his leadership, there should be no major problems.

However, today's changes let him know that there are some things he can't decide...

"Khris Middleton!"

Lian Dao heaved a sigh of relief and said the name of another player he was optimistic about.

Some people may be born suitable for growing up in wandering.

Suffering is not worthy of praise, but sometimes it is a catalyst for a player to complete his transformation.

"Khris Middleton? But in the scout report, his talent is not very good, and he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during college, so there is a great potential for injury!"

Donnie Walsh has also learned about this older rookie who is suitable for the third position.

Creative mid-range scorer, but lacks explosiveness and aggression.

But if that's the case, his draft pick won't fall to the second round.

The main reason is the hidden dangers of injuries during college, which made this older rookie fall to the second round.

If it is not for injury reasons, Middleton should be between the 15th and 20th picks in the first round.

But it was also due to injuries, which made some teams not want to bet on Middleton's future.

"There are potential injuries, but the problem is not too big. Besides, do we have other options?"

"At least Middleton still has potential. If he can grow up smoothly, with his shooting ability, he will become an excellent wing scorer."

"Of course, if you have a better choice, you can also choose other players!"

Lian Dao is also very helpless. If Middleton says he has no talent, it is pure nonsense.

The future second head of the Bucks, the man who helped Antetokounmpo win a championship, three-time All-Star player...

How could such a player have no talent, he is just not very talented.

But Middleton is a very hard-working player.

Although Middleton's current shooting is excellent, it is only limited to mid-range.

In history, he really completed the transformation. After developing a stable three-point shooting, he became a wing scorer.

The most important thing is that in history, after Middleton received a big contract, he still maintained his focus on basketball and continued to improve his own shortcomings.

Even from 18-22, in four seasons, Middleton worked **** three-pointers, and increased the proportion of three-pointers in the game to 40%.

Moreover, taking on more difficult positions and single-handed hard solutions made up for Antetokounmpo's shooting shortcomings.

The most important thing is that his shooting frequency with the ball reached 50%, and his effective shooting rate exceeded 50%.

This is the efficiency achieved when the proportion of ball-holding three-pointers has nearly doubled, which can be said to be a huge improvement.

Completed the transformation from a wing point shooter to an all-around scorer.

The Knicks can win him with the 30th overall pick, whether it is kept for their own use in the future, or used for trading in exchange for a higher bargaining chip, they will not lose money.

It's just that the Knicks can't give him much room for growth.

At the third position, although Gallinari will choose to leave this summer, Jimmy Butler is still there.

If Middleton wants to show his talents in the Knicks, he must work harder and perform better than in history.

No way, the championship team is so cruel.

Especially in a team as talented as the Knicks, the competition is even more brutal.

In the end, Donny Walsh followed Lian Dao's advice.

That's not to say that Donnie Walsh is a manager who doesn't have any ideas.

Instead, he really went through the list of players for trial training in his mind, and found that there was really nothing suitable.

The most important thing is that the Knicks' 30th pick is really embarrassing.

It's impossible for a player with great talent and potential to fall into this position.

The remaining players are a bit tasteless for the Knicks whose goal is to be a dynasty next season.

In terms of feeling: it is tasteless to eat, but it is a pity to discard it!

Simply, Donny Walsh listened to Lian Dao's opinion, wrote Middleton's name, and then submitted it.

After selecting Middleton, the Knicks still have a pick in the second round.

However, Donnie Walsh really felt that he couldn't find any treasures, so he simply traded the second-round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers.

…

After the draft, it has nothing to do with the Knicks.

At this time, Donny Walsh also brought up the matter of contract renewal with Lian Dao.

In terms of contract extensions, James Dolan and Donnie Walsh were not stingy, offering a five-year contract extension of 103 million.

From the amount of the contract, it can be seen that James Dolan is indeed sincere.

The 10-year contract offered by the Heat to James is only 110 million in 6 years.

But that was still James' third contract, and Lian Dao was just a rookie contract extension.

Although there is a "Liandao Clause", Liandao's second contract is bigger than some stars.

But in fact, Lian Dao's second contract can only get one at most, which accounts for 30% of the team's salary cap.

And within this range, James Dolan showed the greatest sincerity (amount).

Lian Dao has no opinion on the contract amount, but further negotiation is needed on some contract details.

Lian Dao also handed over this point to the broker team to communicate.

However, Liantao and the Knicks have reached an agreement on the initial contract extension A preliminary contract extension agreement with Liantao was reached, which also made Donnie Walsh secretly relieved.

You know, there are quite a few general managers and owners of major teams who have contacted Lian Dao overtly and secretly.

Donnie Walsh is not worried that any team will offer a higher amount than the Knicks.

It's not that James Dorlando is rich.

It means that if Lian Dao's second contract does not choose to renew the Knicks, his second contract can only sign a contract that accounts for 20% of the team's salary cap.

Of course, the amount is one aspect. Who knows if these team owners secretly used other methods to confuse Lian Dao.

Although Lian Dao did not make a clear statement on the offer of some teams.

But even so, Donny Walsh is still worried about his boss's cash cow being poached.

The cash cow has been poached, so will New York still have a place of its own?