Chapter 767: Chapter 767

Just like Curry would choose to stand with Green, Malone also understands the concept of merit basketball.

"What do you think of George Hill?"

But Griffin’s sudden question made Malone pause for a moment.

After coming to his senses, he immediately understood the implication behind Griffin’s words.

Griffin wants to trade JR for George Hill.

Hill is an all-around guard, capable of organizing, hitting threes, and defending, with a tenacious personality and strong execution—exactly the type of player a coach would love.

Currently, Smith has been squeezed out of the Cavaliers’ rotation, but he still earns over 15 million dollars, and now he’s causing trouble. If the Cavaliers can use him as the main piece to trade for Hill, that would undoubtedly be better for the team.

"Would the Kings agree?" If it were Lue, he would probably oppose it due to his emotional nature, but Malone is more rational.

This season, Hill is averaging 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists with the Kings, with a career-high three-point percentage of 45.3%. Smith alone can’t match that.

Yes, Donovan Mitchell’s growth is much faster than anticipated, and Buddy Hield also needs playing time. Of course, they’ll ask for Dejounte Murray to be included in the trade.

After hearing Griffin’s words, Malone understood.

This essentially means swapping Murray for Hill, with Smith just balancing the contracts.

With Ross absent, Murray has gained some time on the court and performed well, especially scoring in double digits against the Suns.

Hansen’s recommendations for the team’s rookies have indeed been full of potential.

If Hansen continues to stay with the Cavaliers, trading away Murray isn’t a good choice, but Hansen will leave in the summer, and building a dynasty is his only objective before leaving. Content orıginally comes from 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍

So sacrificing some future for the present is worth it.

"I think we should still seek Han’s opinion on this matter." After contemplating, Malone offered his suggestion, curious why Malone would discuss trade matters with him.

"Han doesn’t oversee trades, and consulting him on this matter would only trouble him." Griffin spoke frankly.

What Malone thought of, Griffin also thought of. Smith is part of the merit group, and trading him would inevitably upset veteran members, perhaps even causing trouble for folks like TT.

But for strengthening the team, someone has to bear the blame. He made the decision to take responsibility himself; involving Hansen would be shifting the blame onto him.

Moreover, there was a tacit understanding between Hansen and him that draft decisions should be discussed with Hansen, but he wouldn’t be consulted on other player signings and trades.

"I still insist on my suggestion; Smith has a special relationship with Han." Malone remained rational.

Griffin eventually accepted his suggestion.

The next day, he found an opportunity to discuss the matter with Hansen near the training court.

After some thought, Hansen gave Griffin his answer: Give the kid another month.

This year’s NBA trade deadline is moving up to before the All-Star Game, but it’s only early December, leaving nearly three months.

After talking with Griffin, Hansen found JR.

"Be at the training center by 6 o’clock tomorrow morning."

35-year-old Wade is naturally declining with age, but for 32-year-old JR, it’s more about state issues.

And to regain form, the best and only way is naturally through practice.

JR certainly knows about Hansen’s Breakfast Club, and just thinking about it gives him a headache, about to speak up.

"If you don’t show up, don’t come to me for anything in the future." But Hansen didn’t give him a chance to speak.

The next morning, Hansen, along with Jokic, Kuzma, Coningham, and Wade, were in the weight room training, and JR appeared at the door yawning.

He really didn’t want to come, but with Hansen’s tone, he didn’t dare to skip.

Hansen’s Breakfast Club training is intense; when Jokic first joined, he trained until he was pale-faced.

JR was even more direct, he directly puked.

But this also revealed the real reason for JR’s underperformance this season—he probably hadn’t been practicing much.

After finishing training and going for breakfast, JR admitted he couldn’t withstand this.

"Then prepare to be traded." Hansen was straightforward.

"They want to trade me? How dare they trade me?!" JR suddenly got agitated hearing this.

He had won two championship trophies for the Cavaliers; is this how they treat a champion contributor?

The Cavaliers traded Irving before; now they want to trade him?

Is it inevitable to be traded as soon as your form isn’t right?

That’s really cold-blooded!

His volume wasn’t low, and the others who had been chatting stopped to look at him.

"Your current form can’t even get you on the court." But Hansen’s next words deflated JR instantly.

Lies won’t hurt, truths are like sharp knives.

Seeing JR’s reaction, Hansen softened his tone: "If you want to prove them wrong, don’t say you can’t endure."

This is the NBA, and the NBA is a commercial league; has the team paid you any less money?

Business is business; that’s how the NBA operates.

Unless you’re Kobe or Nowitzki, a one-city player with team success, don’t expect to lay on a bed of laurels forever.

Moreover, that mutual accomplishment; thinking about merit basketball only blocks the team’s future.

The next morning, when Hansen and the team arrived, JR wasn’t there.

Just as Hansen thought he wouldn’t come, after about ten minutes, he appeared.

When Hansen saw this, he was also relieved; the kid showed up, indicating there’s still hope.

Time quickly passed, and it reached late December.

With Christmas approaching, Cleveland was filled with Christmas vibes.

This year, the Cavaliers will continue to participate in the Christmas game, facing the current Eastern Conference’s first-place Celtics.

Irving hasn’t caused any trouble this season, and the Celtics are surging ahead.

In fact, with Irving, Bradley, Durant, Horford, and Towns, their lineup strength is almost as good as last season’s Warriors.

"Let’s charge towards the franchise’s 18th championship!"

That’s the season motto for Boston.

The latest TNT show before Christmas also discussed the Celtics’ championship chances this season.

As the season progresses, it indeed seems more and more possible.

However, that topic quickly veered off.

Because if the Celtics win the championship, it means the failure of the Cavaliers’ dynasty. Then a new topic arises: If Hansen fails the Cavaliers’ dynasty, does it mean he can’t surpass Jordan?

On that topic, including Ernie Johnson, four people expressed their views.

O’Neal: After Hansen helped the Cavaliers with a successful title defense, he’s already surpassed Jordan because he won five championships in the first eight seasons of his career, already the best in history;

Barkley: Hansen had already surpassed Jordan when he won the Cavaliers’ first championship because Jordan couldn’t have led the Cavaliers to a championship;

Johnson: Jordan has not only six championships but two dynasty periods and retired for two years at his peak, if Hansen can’t achieve that, he’s destined not to surpass Jordan;

Smith: One must admit that the competitive environment Jordan faced was far less intense than what Hansen faces now, only by dominating contemporaries can you be in the discussion for the best ever. Hansen needs this championship to end the debate, and he needs his name on every list.

This episode of TNT also sparked a heated debate among fans on social media, making this Christmas showdown even more anticipated.

Because both teams belong to the Eastern Conference, and with the East-West landscape changes this year, in a sense, this game is a "Finals" preview.

Whoever can break through the East will claim the ultimate championship trophy.