As soon as he turned on the TV, Qin Yue heard Charles Barkley loudly critiquing the Lakers and Grizzlies' draft trade:

According to the agreement, the Lakers would send Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum, Devin George, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Jim Jackson, Aaron McKie, Stanislav Medvedenko, their 2007 and 2009 first-round picks, and their 2006, 2008, and 2010 second-round picks to acquire Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, and Dontae Jones from the Grizzlies.

Counting the five draft picks the Lakers gave up in this trade, it seems like a fair 13-for-3 swap.

But in Qin Yue's eyes, this was entirely the Lakers trading $50 in loose change to the Grizzlies for $150 in straight cash.

Qin Yue wasn't sure how the world would evaluate this trade.

However, he was very curious... how would the Lakers, without "Lao Yu" Fisher, execute their triangle offense in the new season?

You should know, although Fisher didn't have the best character, he was a crucial part of Jackson's tactical system, and the Lakers couldn't possibly use Kobe's little fan, Monta Ellis, as the "ball-handling guard," could they?

Given Ellis's personality, even if he could handle it, using such a skillful offensive two-guard as Ellis to play the "ball-handling guard" role seems too much of a waste.

"Do you know the specifics of this year's NBA first-round draft?"

Turning to Evans, Qin Yue asked.

"I've already organized it for you, I'll give it to you right away."

After receiving a draft list from Evans, Qin Yue found... many of the names he remembered had veered off their original historical paths.

Bargnani was selected with the first pick by the Supersonic and traded to the Rockets.

LaMarcus Aldridge was picked second by the Raptors, who regarded him as untouchable.

Another "Bird successor," Adam Morrison, was selected third by the Bulls.

The Blazers, frustrated at failing to trade for Aldridge, picked Tyrus Thomas with the fourth pick.

Brandon Roy, who learned how to impress Michael Jordan from sharing the same agent, Jeff Schwartz, was picked fifth by the Charlotte Bobcats.

The Rockets used their sixth pick to select Qin Yue's old acquaintance, "Landlord" Sheldon Williams from Duke Blue Demon.

Randy Foye and Rudy Gay were both acquired by Jerry West through subsequent trades.

Then, Rajon Rondo was traded to the New Orleans Hornets, and he was likely to replace Paul as the "Bee King" in this lifetime.

The Lakers, at the 20th pick in the first round, chose between Jordan Farmar and Kyle Lowry, ultimately selecting the latter.

The reason was that Lowry had played against Qin Yue's Wake Forest team in college, and Kupchek happened to see the whole match. He believed that Lowry, who honed his skills for three years in college, was a more immediate asset than Farmar.

This was a decision that perhaps only Qin Yue knew just how wise it truly was.

Additionally, it successfully answered Qin Yue's questions about the Lakers roster.

Because even though Lowry would also need time to grow after entering the NBA... his three-point shooting was more reliable, and his ability to play as a "ball-handling guard" early in his career made him undoubtedly more suitable than Farmar, who only played one year in college, for the current Lakers.

This lifetime, the changes in the 2006 draft were related to the shifts in team standings during the 05/06 regular season.

Moreover, players who were already developed for immediate contribution during college were generally more favored by strong teams.

In conclusion, the new season in the West... was showing signs of upgrading from a purgatory to an ultimate battlefield.

No wonder Anthony made a special call to complain...

Undoubtedly, with the Jazz and Supersonic both rising, the Nuggets' advantage in the Northwest Region had completely vanished.

"Did Kevin Garnett name the Supersonic as his only destination in forcing a move out of the Timberwolves?"

"Yes... Otherwise, I think the Timberwolves would have demanded more from the Supersonic in that trade."

"How are the second-round picks shaping up this year?"

"I'll get the list to you right away."

Compared to the first-round picks, in the 2006 second round, Qin Yue only remembered Danny Gibson and Paul Millsap.

The former was a reliable force under his brother during the "Knight's First Phase."

The latter was a player with potential waiting to be developed as a sturdy four-position.

As in Qin Yue's memory, Gibson, due to his phenomenal three-point shooting during trials, was happily signed by the Knight.

Meanwhile, Millsap was acquired by the Jazz through trade, and since he played three years in college, his pick position rose to the third spot in the second round in this lifetime.

Millsap's draft position elevation had to do with the current league's increasing emphasis on four positions with shooting ability.

As for who started this trend?

Well, it certainly wasn't Qin Yue, who liked to punish opposing defenses with "brutal jump shots" in matches.

"It's all Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki's fault!"

What "tough pull-ups," what "solid fadeaways"?

These super power forwards never teach anything good, only bad habits to the young ones!

Only someone like myself can truly represent that courageous and passionate traditional four-position!

At this moment, Qin Yue, always low-key, practical, and never boastful, silently blamed Garnett and King Nowitzki in his heart.

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