Chapter 809: Chapter 809
Time flew by and June 22, the day of the draft, arrived and it was held in Brooklyn.
Hansen watched the draft live broadcast while on vacation.
This year’s top pick, as he remembered, belonged to the Phoenix Suns, and they, like selecting Towns or Davis back then, chose the big center "Dynamite" Ayton without hesitation.
Last season, the Bulls’ Fultz struggled, proving the draft insurance is still to pick a center.
Ayton, in his NCAA time representing the University of Arizona, averaged 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game, O’Neal-level statistics.
The Kings picked Luca Doncic with the second overall pick.
When Hansen saw this choice, he froze for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh.
Indeed, the Kings management’s thinking was just trying to pick something pricey; this team-building level really leaves one speechless.
However, his earlier thought of raising the Gu really just perfectly unfolded.
He couldn’t help but be curious about who would ultimately be the King Gu.
The Hawks chose Trae Yang with the third overall pick.
Originally, they had a "history" where they reached a trade with the Mavericks at this spot, but now they directly used the pick.
Jaren Jackson Jr. was selected fourth by the Mavericks.
Among the rest who attracted attention, Alexander was picked by the Hornets at the 11th spot but was soon traded to the Clippers.
The Cavaliers finally picked Bruce Brown with the 30th overall pick.
After the Cavaliers really picked Brown, Hansen had a weird feeling.
It’s a pity the Cavaliers didn’t have a high enough pick to get Jamal Murray, otherwise, Hansen would really feel a Cleveland Nuggets déjà vu.
Of course, the Cavaliers also have Murray, Dejounte Murray counts as Murray.
Because Hansen disappeared from the public view, the outside world, already extremely focused on Hansen’s direction, fell into confusion.
Generally speaking, a superstar changing teams would bring rumors, at least narrowing the scope, but Hansen truly had zero news. Updates are released by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩
So when the time came to the 28th, Hansen appeared at the season awards ceremony site, attracting extra attention.
This year, Hansen again was nominated for MVP, but ultimately, the MVP was not awarded to Hansen, it went to Harden instead.
Though he missed the finals, the Rockets had the best regular-season record, and Harden’s stats weren’t bad, so giving him the MVP was reasonable.
But it’s worth noting Jokic directly made the All-NBA Second Team this year and is expected to challenge the First Team next season.
After the award ceremony ended, when reporters surrounded Hansen for interviews, they again asked about his new team, albeit in indirect ways.
For example, do you want to go to a big city or a small one this time? Do you want to play for a rebuilding team or start a championship mode in another city?
Sometimes you can’t help but admire these reporters’ skills; although Hansen only gave a few ambiguous answers, news reports had already derived some information when the award ceremony ended: Hansen is more inclined to go to a team in a big city, he doesn’t want to form a super team like James did back then.
Just these bits of information actually allowed some range to be narrowed.
Fans of teams in New York, Los Angeles have already started to look forward, because if that’s true, their advantage is really too great.
After the award ceremony ended, Hansen returned to Cleveland.
As soon as he came back, Wade and Ross visited him one after another.
This summer, it won’t be only Hansen becoming a free agent for the Cavaliers; Wade ultimately still plans to return to the Heat for one last year.
If it were other players who clashed with the Heat management to such an extent and also succeeded in other teams, going back would be impossible.
But that’s Wade, the most famous good guy in the NBA.
But that’s just his character, like when Irving went to the Bulls and badmouthed Cleveland, he would advise him not to speak poorly about his former team because nobody can say which direction their future will go.
As for Ross, Ross mainly came to give Hansen gifts in gratitude.
If it weren’t for Hansen, he wouldn’t have gotten this championship ring.
And his gift was unique, a bouquet made up of 16 roses.
This gift wasn’t expensive, but since Ross sent it, it seemed very meaningful.
After all, like when he gave O’Neal gifts back then, for someone who has so much money it becomes just a number, meaning is greater than value.
Hansen instantly asked Ross where he’s heading for summer.
Ross’s idea surprised Hansen; he didn’t plan to stay in Cleveland but intends to go to Minnesota because Thibodeau is there!
"Don’t you hate Tom?" Hansen couldn’t resist asking in curiosity, knowing if it weren’t for Thibodeau’s overuse of Ross back then, Ross wouldn’t have fallen so quickly.
"Hate? No, no, I thank Tom; he made me, without him, I wouldn’t have become MVP."
Ross’s answer was a bit unexpected for Hansen; it’s akin to the opening soul question in a game: do you want a long but ordinary life or a short but brilliant one?
Apparently, Ross, like most players, chose the latter.
After all, it’s hard for people to reject that feeling of being at the peak.
Thus, many fans feel regret for Ross, think Ross would regret his past choices, but actually, Ross doesn’t.