In the Bobcat Training Hall, the sky is slightly bright outside the window.

On the court, Li Ke held two solid balls and ran around in a circle.

Tim Graver, who was on the side, was a little distracted. He pinched his watch and stopped after half an hour: "Okay, Sheldon, let's get to this."

With his feet heavy on the floor, Li Ke stopped slowly and put his hands on his waist.

Tim Graver handed over a clean towel and suddenly mentioned: "The season is over, Sheldon, you don't have to work so hard anymore."

Li Ke took the towel, wiped his sweat all over his body, and nodded: "I know, I'm going to go out and swing after the talent show."

"No, I think you have to rest now. This season, you have been maintaining high-intensity training and high-intensity competition. Your body has reached a critical point and your spirit is already quite tired. In this state, no matter how much you practice, you can't practice anything."

"Is this what..."

Li Ke trusted Tim Graver very much, so he hesitated for a moment and nodded: "OK, Tim, then start tomorrow, and suspend the training of the breakfast club..."

Tim Graver smiled, but Li Ke turned aside: "But your vacation has not started yet. Emmm, I need you to stay and continue to help me with some intensified training."

"I know." Tim Graver looked like he had seen through everything long ago: "Tell me, what do you want to practice?"

"penalty."

"Free shots? This thing needs to be practiced? However, the 66.5% free throw shooting percentage is indeed a practice."

"Do you have any good ideas?"

"Please adjust the free throw posture first. Generally, the mid-range shot is good, but the free throw is bad. The free throw posture is the free throw posture."

“…”

"OK, then let's go here, see you in the afternoon."

After chatting about the free throw, Li Ke remembered Boss Qiao in the office next door, waved his hand and left first.

...

After a while, Li Ke, who had been rinsed and sweated, became extremely refreshed, appeared in the Bobcat's office.

Here, he met the leader of Boss Qiao, the team's basketball operations president Rod Higgins, and General Manager Rich Joe...

The three cores of the Bobcats' management were all sitting in front of Li Ke, and with Li Ke, the four of them began to discuss plans for the new season.

Li Ke knew very well what the scene in front of him meant.

This means: Li Ke has become the kind of player who can interfere, interfere with team transactions and sign and operate.

But in fact, since Lao Ai's transaction, Li Ke has already had the basis to interfere with the team's operations.

After winning the championship, the foundation was solid, and Boss Qiao became increasingly willing to follow Li Ke's advice, because almost every Li Ke's advice was correct.

Li Ke is the rookie season, and it is recommended to trade Lao Ai. Although Lao Shark is the free play of Boss Qiao, Li Ke's analysis is indispensable.

The success of Li Ke was proved by winning the O'Brien Cup in 2008.

This season just ended, Li Ke also suggested that the team defeat DeAndre Jordan in the second round.

DeAndre Jordan, who averaged 6.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in the rookie season, also proved the success of the Bobcats' choice.

There are also some failed transactions, such as Lagarondo, who was once listed as the first choice for point guard recruitment by Li Ke, and after transferring to join the Thunder, he almost scored Jason Kidd-like All-Star point guard data.

And Kyle Lowry, although he has few chances after joining the Rockets, he can see the potential of defense, organization, and three-point shooting with his eyes.

So, at the end of the season, Boss Qiao brought Li Ke with him, who was very interested in Li Ke's suggestions on the draft.

"Almost all draft experts, most NBA executives, and data analysts believe that this year's draft is a young New Year."

Riccijo actually doesn't agree to focus on the draft, and he even believes that the Bobcats should start from the free market.

After all, they expired a large contract of $20 million from Lao Ai, and instantly cleared out a huge amount of salary space.

Although there are no big fish in the free market this year, in Richjo's opinion, the Bobcats do not need to introduce any big fish. For some locations, the Bobcats will still be one of the league's strong players next season.

"We already have Jared Jack on the point guard, the shooting guard is Sheldon, the small forward Gerald, and the center forward, Shaq and DeAndre, so we need to focus on signing power forwards. My suggestion is to explore the possibility of Carlos Boozer jumping out of the contract, or to win Rashid Wallace with all his efforts to win the contract that has expired."

"Or we need a sixth man, and Ben Gordon would be a good choice..."

Ricky Joe talked freely, but Li Ke suppressed his hand: "The free market and the draft are not in conflict. A lottery rookie takes up only three to four million US dollars in full swing, which will not affect the signing of the free market at all."

"And, I have different opinions from those draft experts. This year's draft is an absolute big year, and it can even be compared with the draft in 1996 and 2003."

Li Ke's words were a little hilarious to Riccijo and Rod Higgins.

Boss Qiao became interested and said, "So, Sheldon, who do you think this year's draft can be Kobe, LeBron, AI, Dwyane Wade?"

"The No. 1 pick Blake Griffin, he will definitely not be a squad. Of course, we can't choose him. The top three picks in the draft, Russell Westbrook, James Harden will also be the future superstars, and the popular rookies in the lottery area. Stephen Curry also has the strength to become a super giant."

"In addition, there are also potential for becoming a star player such as Demar DeRozan, Terry Evans, Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, Ju Holiday, Tylawson, Jeff Teague, etc.."

"You're optimistic about so many players?"

"Yes, Michael, believe me, just need a lottery pick and we have a team that can create a dynasty."

Li Ke brags very well. He knows that Boss Qiao is very good at this, especially, he yells: "Think about it, Michael, player career, you have a Bulls Dynasty, team boss career, you can also have a Bobcats Dynasty..."

After yelling at this point, Boss Qiao had already made up his mind.

"Is a lottery pick? Considering that this year is the young year of the draft, it should not be difficult."

Indeed, as Mr. Qiao thought, although the lottery is valuable, if it is a lottery for the New Year of the draft, the Bobcats still have a chance to get it.

Of course, before the draft was drawn with lots, saying these things were empty talk.

"Tell me about AI, is the team really not going to renew his contract?"

Li Ke suddenly mentioned Lao Ai, emmm. To be honest, he was a little unsure whether to keep Lao Ai.

But there must be discussions that should be there, so Li Ke brought this matter to the table again.

Rod Higgins knocked on the table:

"Have he finished his divorce lawsuit?"

"It's over."

"Without the impact of off-field events, he should still be able to show his answers, right?"

Rod Higgins said half-speculation and half-analytical: "Plus with his poor performance at the end of the season, if the contract is renewed, the offer price of the new contract should not be high?"

But, Boss Qiao shook his head: "I have decided to give up on AI."

Then, he gave a reason: "First of all, his problem is not just an off-court divorce lawsuit. Sam told me that this season, he has violated the team's tactical arrangements many times. Secondly, his position in the team is very awkward, less than 1.8 meters tall, there is no organization to play the point guard, and no defense to play the shooting guard..."

"In the end, if he is left behind, he will most likely not be the starter in the new season. I asked him and he said he would rather leave if there is no guarantee of starting."

The reason is very good, and Boss Qiao has obviously made a decision.

So neither Richjo nor Rod Higgins expressed opposition.

However, Li Ke, he felt that he should talk to Lao Ai.

"Then let's make a summary. The focus is on the draft. We need a draft pick with a lotto, preferably the top five in the first round. We can't give up on the free market. As Rhodes said, Rashid Wallace is a good player. His asking price should not be high, so we can try it."

...

It was the second day after the Bobcats management talks, and Tim Graver finally took a vacation, because Li Ke contacted Lao Ai and learned that as soon as he was eliminated in the playoffs, Lao Ai left Charlotte and is now in New York.

Li Ke called, and Lao Ai was still very enthusiastic and invited Li Ke to New York to have fun.

Li Ke hesitated for a moment and accepted the invitation.

At noon the next day, he appeared in New York and appeared in front of Lao Ai.

This is a nightclub located in New York, dedicated to serving celebrities and has excellent privacy. Although the sky is still white, the dim interior is already full of excitement.

Li Ke walked into this nightclub, and the noisy heavy metal music made him feel harsh and he couldn't help but frown.

Under the guidance of a follower of Lao Ai, Li Ke sat in front of Lao Ai.

"Sheldon, I have been looking for you to drink countless times, and you finally came once!"

A cup of spicy and pungent whiskey was stuffed into Li Ke's hand. With a tingling sound, Lao Ai forced a cup of Li Ke and then drank it all.

Li Ke hesitated for a moment and took a sip slowly.

Lao Ai didn't care, and hugged Li Ke: "Do you want to find a few girls?"

"No, Allen."

"Don't call me Allen, call me Ezel..."

"Ezel?"

"Yes, Allen is my father's name, Iverson is my mother's surname, and Ezel is my real name."

Li Ke seemed to hear a prompt in his mind: Lao Ai's friendship is full...

He drank the whiskey in his hand in a big mouthful, and Li Ke listened to Lao Ai and continued:

"I know why you're willing to drink with me. Are you trying to persuade me to stay in Charlotte?"

Li Ke nodded. He really had this idea. Lao Ai still had oil in the fuel tank. As long as he was willing to play as a substitute, a person with a sixth place would not be able to escape.

"Don't think about it, Sheldon, my Charlotte career has ended since we lost to the Magic without any fighting back in the playoffs."
To be continued...