After the Lakers players returned to the locker room, they couldn't hide their disappointment.

After this battle, their record reached 14 wins and 28 losses.

Although he was well prepared, Lin Tian was still in a very bad mood.

There was no high-five with Kupchak in the tunnel just now, which is a good proof.

Lin Tian even felt that he had been deceived by Bass.

Last time in Buss's office, he kept talking about strengthening the team and even gave him and Kobe a piece of A4 paper to write down their favorite players.

But now that so much time has passed, several teams have already made moves, but only the Lakers are standing still.

The Lakers often release news to the media, saying they are interested in this and that, but there is no actual action.

If there was no trade, it would be difficult for someone as strong as Lin Tian to lead the team into the playoffs.

By then, the promise he made to Kobe will not be fulfilled.

It's impossible for Lin Tian not to be anxious!

While other teammates were taking a shower, Kobe said to Lin Tian: "Lin, you shouldn't have done that just now. This will have a great impact on your reputation."

When he returned to the locker room just now, Kobe was following Lin Tian and saw with his own eyes that Lin Tian did not high-five Kupchak.

He was not the only one who saw this scene!

There are so many reporters at the Staples Center, and they will not miss any small detail.

If nothing else goes wrong, there are probably people online who are already trolling Lin Tian.

The relationship between Kobe and Kupchak is actually good. After all, Kupchak has been with the Lakers for so many years.

Gasol's ability to come to the Lakers had a lot to do with Kupchak's excellent operation.

Kobe Bryant yelled at Kupchak a few years ago, but it was a team training game after all and was not photographed by the media. It could be resolved internally.

Lin Tian nodded: "I know, but the team hasn't done anything yet, which makes me very depressed. I can wait for a season, but you can't afford to wait."

His words spoke to Kobe's heart.

Kobe pursed his lips: "I can understand your current mood, we must put pressure on the management."

While the two were talking, a team staff member walked into the locker room and told them that the boss, Buss Jr., had invited them.

Kobe said in a deep voice: "Tell him that we will go find him after we take a shower!"

…

More than ten minutes later, Lin Tian and Kobe arrived at Buss Jr.'s office.

As expected, Kupchak was also in the office.

Seeing the two of them, Kupchak came over with a smile on his face: "Lin, if you are dissatisfied with my work, I believe I can change it."

Buss Jr. also showed a wry smile: "Lin, you shouldn't embarrass the general manager of a team so much in public."

Lin Tian knew that the current management was rotten to the core, and he was too lazy to talk nonsense with them: "If you are not satisfied, you can send me away."

Little Bas changed his face instantly and quickly put on a smile: "Lin! Even if I send myself away, I won't send you away!"

Judging from Lin Tian's recent performance, as long as there are no major injuries, he has basically locked in the future number one player in the league!

Such a talented player may not be available even after 20 years of poor performance!

Moreover, Lin is from China, and NBA has an unimaginable business market in China!

Just like Buss Jr. said, no matter how stupid he is, he will never trade Lin Tian away unless he uses a player of James' level!

Lin Tian no longer has any good impression of Bass: "If you want to see the team win, you should take the initiative!"

Kobe also nodded: "Yes, don't be reluctant to take out those first-round picks."

Kupchak said: "But the players you plan to cooperate with are not ordinary players, especially Howard. The Rockets ask for a high price."

Lin Tian asked: "Really? A first-round pick is considered high?"

Recently, news has been flying all over the place that the Rockets are planning to trade Howard.

The only teams interested in Howard are the Heat, Celtics and Lakers.

According to Bleacher Report, the Rockets' asking price is at least a first-round pick.

Because the Rockets management knows that Howard will not stay this summer.

In order to avoid losing everything, their asking price is relatively low.

Buss Jr. said: "The season Dwight spent with the Lakers was not pleasant with Kobe."

Howard left the Lakers for just over two years.

While speaking, he looked at Kobe at the same time.

In fact, Buss didn't like Howard very much, because Howard made the locker room uneasy during his season with the Lakers.

His character has always been a big problem.

And facts have proven that Howard is not suitable to play with Kobe.

Kobe waved his hand: "The two of us have already settled our differences long ago."

Kupchak sighed: "Howard himself actually has no objection to the Lakers, but he wants a big contract this summer."

Lin Tian ignored what he said: "If you don't find a way to get him, it will be difficult for us to make it to the playoffs this season."

The playoffs are only their temporary goal, or Lin Tian's goal alone.

Buss and Kupchak knew very well that half way through the season, it was almost impossible for the Lakers to make the playoffs.

But if the team's future is said this way, they can't dampen Lin Tian's interest.

Bass nodded solemnly and looked at Kupchak: "Mitch! Find a way to trade Howard!"

"Okay, boss."

They communicated some more, and Lin Tian told Buss the names of several other teammates he wanted to cooperate with, and then walked out of the office with Kobe.

After the two walked out of the office, Kupchak looked a little ugly: "Boss, do you really want to trade Howard?"

"Otherwise?" Bass frowned, "I don't want the team to lose Lin."

"It's actually very simple to trade Howard." Kupchak said solemnly, "But we may only have the right to use him for more than two months, and we have to lose a first-round pick for this..."

It's almost February now, and the regular season only lasts until April.

If Howard doesn't have any effect with the Lakers or is unhappy, he will definitely leave.

"I know." Bass sighed, "But what can we do? What we have to do now is to build a team around Lin! No matter what conditions he puts forward, we must meet them unconditionally! Of course, the premise is that we can do it

Arrived."

…

After Lin and Tian returned to the locker room, team staff told them that the media had been waiting for them for half an hour.
Chapter completed!