Life as NBA Rookie (SlamDunk System)-Chapter 195 - 203: After the Championship, a Key Player Departs

Chapter 195: Chapter 203: After the Championship, a Key Player Departs

At this point in time, not many teams are eager to strike a deal with the Warriors.

First off, to keep their championship roster intact, the Warriors aren’t about to trade away the kind of assets other teams might drool over.

Second, as a team that just pulled off a jaw-dropping 75-win season and clinched the title in 09/10, the Warriors’ draft picks aren’t exactly lighting up the eyes of other teams. To put it bluntly, they’re about as exciting as a stale bagel.

But there’s one exception: the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During the Finals, LeBron James and his team made it crystal clear to the Cavs’ front office that the Chosen One plans to walk away as a free agent this summer. So, for Cleveland, slashing future expenses and kicking off a full-on rebuild has become priority number one.

"LeBron’s really leaving Cleveland?"

On the phone, when Zack heard the news of James’ impending departure, even as someone who’s seen it all, he couldn’t help but feel shocked.

Because this wasn’t how he remembered it.

Why the difference? Historically, LeBron didn’t break the news to the Cavaliers’ fans or front office until that infamous live TV broadcast, where he announced he was leaving Cleveland to "take his talents to South Beach."

That move led to Cavs owner Dan Gilbert publicly blasting James, which in turn sparked countless Cleveland fans to burn LeBron’s jersey in the streets. Up until that TV moment, James had given the impression he was just ironing out minor contract details with the Cavs.

So, here’s the question: Why, during the Finals, did LeBron so openly tell the Cavs’ front office he wouldn’t re-sign?

The answer’s pretty simple.

No matter how much suspense LeBron and his team tried to build around his exit, he couldn’t create the same earth-shattering impact Zack recalled from his past life. Back then, the LeBron who made "The Decision" was a back-to-back MVP, practically the unofficial king of the league.

But now? Not only did LeBron just lead the Cavs to a first-round playoff exit against the Bobcats, who pulled off a stunning upset, but he’s also still overshadowed by a certain Bay Area messiah. Plus, the team LeBron most wants to join isn’t the same powerhouse it once was. If he doesn’t act fast, that team might pivot to other free agents this summer.

So, to lock in his spot with that team, LeBron had to move quicker and be more decisive than in Zack’s memory.

This left the Cavs no choice but to abandon any hope of keeping LeBron and dive headfirst into rebuilding.

"Who in our lineup are the Cavs eyeing?" Zack asked over the phone, setting aside his curiosity about LeBron for the moment.

"They’ve got their sights set on Troy Murphy’s expiring contract," Malone replied.

The 10/11 season is Murphy’s final contract year, making him a hot commodity for a Cavs team desperate to clear salary space.

Still, when Zack learned the Warriors were planning to trade Murphy to Cleveland, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Sure, he’d long decided that to keep the team competitive, he couldn’t play the "loyalty card" with veteran players. But when it came time to part ways with an old teammate, Zack—human, not heartless—felt a wave of melancholy.

However, when he heard what the Cavs were offering in return, his mood did a 180.

"Troy’s a key bench player for us!" Zack said over the phone. "If the Cavs think they can just toss in some nobodies for this trade, no way I’m signing off!"

"But what if the Cavs are offering Antawn Jamison?" Malone countered.

"Who now?"

"Antawn Jamison."

After a brief pause, Zack broke into a grin. "Well, in that case, I’ll personally knock Troy out, box him up, and ship him to Cleveland!"

Jamison’s current contract has two years left, expiring after the 11/12 season, with salaries of $13.36 million and $15.08 million. With the new CBA introducing a super luxury tax next season, a player of Jamison’s caliber is a luxury the post-LeBron Cavs can’t afford.

But the Warriors? They’re a different story. Murphy’s $11.97 million salary for the 10/11 season already puts him in the high-salary bench category. Swapping him for Jamison not only upgrades the Warriors’ roster but does so without breaking the bank. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Of course, to seal the deal, the Warriors would need to throw in two draft picks.

"The Cavs want us to select a player for them this summer, then trade him, along with our 2011 first-round pick," Malone explained.

NBA rules prohibit teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive years. But if a team selects a player and then trades them, it’s considered an asset, not a draft pick, neatly sidestepping the rule.

Zack chuckled. "If we’re getting Antawn Jamison, who needs draft picks?"

As someone who’s been around the block, Zack knew Jamison still had the chops of a near-star forward for the next two seasons. On the court, he could play off the ball or capitalize on pick-and-roll mismatches to launch attacks. No question, adding Jamison gave the Warriors an extra edge for their dynasty run.

Still, after confirming with Malone, Mullin, and Riley that the Warriors would finalize the trade with Cleveland after the draft, Zack couldn’t shake his reluctance to let Murphy go. In the NBA, where players come and go but championship banners fly forever, Zack had to swallow his emotions and accept Cleveland’s offer.

...

Four days later, the Warriors held a grand championship parade in Oakland.

Zack didn’t want to keep Murphy in the dark. After discussing with Mullin and Riley, he decided to break the news early, giving Murphy time to prepare mentally.

But to his surprise, Murphy took it in stride. Not only that, he flipped the script and gave Zack a pep talk. "You’re out here trying to be the GOAT of this era, and I’m just a small piece of the puzzle. You don’t need to feel bad about me leaving, especially when it makes the team better."

Over the past few seasons, Murphy had won a championship ring and secured a big contract. By all accounts, he was living the dream. So when he learned his departure would bring a near-star forward to the team he loved, he wasn’t just okay with it—he was genuinely thrilled.

After all, Murphy, whose jersey was destined to be retired by the Warriors, already considered the team and Oakland his home.

During the parade, Warriors owner Lacob made Murphy a promise. "Troy, I don’t know what your plans are for the future, but if you ever want to come back after retiring, there’ll always be a spot for you in the front office."

Murphy grinned. "So you’re saying I might get to boss around the Bay Area messiah one day?"

Even though Murphy was being traded to bolster the roster, Lacob was already laying the groundwork to treat the Warriors’ veterans right in the future. That’s the real way to honor team legends.

In the NBA, no championship hero stays young forever. To keep chasing titles every season, a team has to stay sharp with both its roster and its salary cap.

...

After the parade, Zack’s off-season of indulgence officially began.

Since the Warriors’ first-round pick was tied to the Jamison trade, Zack lost interest in this year’s draft. It wasn’t until the day after the draft that he learned DeMarcus Cousins, picked by the Wizards with the No. 1 overall pick, was crowned the 2010 draft’s top dog.

Standing 6’11" in shoes, Cousins had been hyped by his agent, Jeff Schwartz, and U.S. media as "Zack 2.0." Lately, any player linked to Zack saw their draft stock soar. Cousins, already seen as a near-superstar prospect despite some mental toughness concerns, was no exception.

Glancing over the 2010 draft results, Zack noted the Philadelphia 76ers, with the second pick, took John Wall, who’d slipped from projected No. 1. The Nets, coming off the worst record in NBA history (outside a lockout season), grabbed another "Zack 2.0," Derrick Favors, at No. 3. Gordon Hayward went ninth to the Jazz via a trade-up, Paul George, the "Silky Smooth" star, was picked tenth by the Pacers, and the Bucks, burned by Hasheem Thabeet last season, selected "Poet" Larry Sanders at No. 13.

The Celtics, in a trade with the Grizzlies involving Tony Allen, snagged a first-round pick and chose Eric Bledsoe. The Cavs had the Warriors select Tibor Pleiss for them. Meanwhile, Lance Stephenson, the biggest name in the second round, stayed with the Pacers.

With the draft over, the Warriors and Cavs finalized their trade. In exchange for Troy Murphy, Tibor Pleiss, and their 2011 first-round pick, the Warriors got Antawn Jamison from Cleveland.

As the free agency market opened a few days later, while other teams chased blockbuster deals, the Warriors focused on bolstering their center position. With veteran David Foye retiring, even with Zack able to play the five, they needed a backup center to shore up their frontcourt depth.