As the first Cavaliers-Warriors game came to an end, all the team managers started to get excited. After the finals, the draft would take place, followed by the opening of the free-agent market. This was the best time for all team managers to showcase their skills.
"This year is critical!" In the large conference room, nearly all of the Kings' staff were present, including owner Ranadivé.
"This year, we made the playoffs and have the first-round swap rights with the Knicks. This year's moves will lay the strongest foundation for our future championship," Jake was speaking at the front. "The biggest stars on the trade market right now are LeBron James, Kevin Love, and LaMarcus Aldridge!"
"We can rule out the first two, as they both just made it to the finals for the first time this year. There's no chance they'll come here," Jake paused. "So the only realistic option is Aldridge!"
"Do we have the cap space to sign Aldridge?" Ranadivé asked.
"It's difficult," Jake admitted after a moment. "Once we re-sign Rudy, we'll have around $10 million in cap space, but factoring in other contracts, that leaves us with no more than $6 million."
"Not to mention, if we use our pick from New York, the rookie contract will eat into that space too," he added.
"Then we have to trade him!" Ranadivé said, clearly displeased.
"There is another way," Jake muttered softly. "If we trade Cousins, things would be different."
"What!" The room erupted into chaos, with people talking over each other like a crowded market.
"Impossible! Cousins is the face of the franchise and our main box-office draw. We can't trade him!" Ranadivé was the first to object.
"Cousins is also the focal point of more than half of our offensive schemes. How would we function without him?" Malone, usually more reserved, also voiced his disagreement. The resistance to trading Cousins was even stronger than Jake had anticipated.
"I understand your concerns, but this is a simple question: does Cousins' timeline fit with our team's development?" Jake rapped his knuckles on the table to quiet the room. The team's core consisted of young players like Jokic, CJ, and LaVine. Cousins, on the other hand, had just signed a five-year, $80 million deal. With his age, he didn't align with the growth curve of the young roster. As long as Cousins stayed, both Oden and Jokic would be limited to coming off the bench.
"Friends, do I really need to explain Jokic's performance this year? What's clear is that when Cousins leads, we lack the firepower to compete. Malone, be honest—does the team run smoother with or without Cousins?" Jake's question left Malone in silent agreement. It was true that when Jokic was on the court, the team's overall play reached a higher level. A center who could pass and shoot was too valuable for the team's tactical diversity.
"No! Absolutely not!" Just as Jake continued debating with Malone, Ranadivé interrupted again.
This guy, Jake thought to himself, is obsessed with money. First, he gives me impossible tasks, and now he's holding us back for his own interests. No wonder people call him the worst owner in the league!
"I agree with Jake's proposal." Just as Jake felt cornered, an unexpected voice chimed in—team vice president Divac threw his support behind Jake.
"I think we should seriously consider whether building around Cousins is still the right move," assistant general manager Peja added, backing them up. Divac and Peja, having benefitted from Jake's decisions last season, stood firmly on his side. Besides, with Jokic showing such promise under Divac's mentorship, there was no question where Divac's loyalties lay.
"We can look to the Warriors as an example," Peja continued. "Ever since Adam Silver became commissioner, the league has been sending a clear message: promote offense, increase pace!"
"If we follow this trend, it's clear the future belongs to guards! The impact of big centers will continue to decline. And if that's the case, we need to think hard about Cousins. We have him under contract for four more years, but who knows how much the league will change during that time?" As a former elite shooter, Peja had a sharp understanding of the NBA's evolving landscape.
Divac and Peja's comments made Ranadivé visibly uncomfortable. He had brought Jake in to balance out the influence of the old guard like Divac and Peja, hoping to benefit from that dynamic. Now, it seemed the old guard had fully aligned themselves with Jake, and Ranadivé was starting to feel like he was losing control of the team.
"Vivek!" Jake noticed Ranadivé nearing a breaking point and quickly gestured for Divac and Peja to hold back. Speaking in a more relaxed tone, Jake approached him.
"As I said in our first meeting, we need to be like crocodiles—lurking underwater, waiting for the perfect opportunity!" Jake walked closer to Ranadivé. "Now that opportunity is here. The wildebeests are crossing the river, and we need to strike, not just open our mouths. We have to bite down and take a big chunk!"
Ranadivé remained unmoved, though, and Jake sighed internally. What do you do with a boss like this? He's impossible! Despite Jake's continued persuasion, Ranadivé refused to budge, and the meeting ended in a heated argument.
"What do we do now, Jake?" Divac kicked an empty can in frustration as they left the building.
"Why are you in such a rush?" Jake replied calmly. "Do you think a deal this big will get done in one meeting? What do you think this is, some fast-paced movie script?"
Standing beside Divac, Jake looked small but composed.
"I'll talk to Ranadivé tonight.
"I know! I know!" Peja interrupted. "He who understands the times is a hero!"
"You're never going to let that one go, are you?" Jake rolled his eyes, but smiled. "What I was going to say is that effort is everything! Today's meeting was just to test his limits. I'll make him come around."