Chapter 739: Chapter 498: Countdown to the Fall of the Empire (Combined) _3 Chapter 739: Chapter 498: Countdown to the Fall of the Empire (Combined) _3 “How did the Lakers acquire Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller without losing any of their top seven players?”

Experts and journalists concluded that this trade ended the suspense for the season.

The presence of Jamison and Artest turned the Lakers’ power forward position from a weakness into a strength. For offense, they used Jamison, and for defense, Artest.

Adding Jamison and also acquiring Miller, a sharpshooter who had a three-point shooting percentage of 40%, meant that even if the SuperSonics were to play small ball, the Lakers could respond.

The only painful loss for the Lakers was Luke Walton, a substitute forward who was fluently used by the Zen Master, but considering the reinforcements they obtained, this loss was not a problem at all.

The hopes for a three-peat by the SuperSonics disappeared.

Yu Fei’s dream of seven championships in eight years seemingly ended there.

The media in the Seattle area comfortingly stated, “The SuperSonics are optimistic about Brandon Roy’s comeback.”

But news from sources close to Roy revealed, “Brandon’s recovery is not as fast as expected.”

The power comparison between the Lakers and the SuperSonics increasingly seemed like a case of escalated challenge and response.

The SuperSonics faced a champion’s syndrome this season; injuries plagued Roy, even the most stable coaching staff was unsettled, and now, the Lakers’ reinforcements seemed to close the book on the season’s suspense.

With the trade deadline still unexpired, the media contacted the general manager of the SuperSonics, Sam Presti, to find out if they would make a major trade to match the Lakers.

Presti’s answer was very clear: “We have decided to look for opportunities in free agency.”

This also meant that the SuperSonics would not participate in the trades.

The trade between the Lakers and the Wizards indirectly affected the market.

The Nuggets suddenly withdrew from the trading table.

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They decided to keep Anthony and Kenyon Martin and continue pursuing the playoffs.

Because they couldn’t sell Martin, other teams’ offers were unsatisfactory, and making a trade now would not yield the best return.

Anthony’s contract would last until the summer of 2012, giving the Nuggets complete leverage.

Ultimately, in his wish to control his own fate, Anthony’s fate was still dictated by others.

In contrast, the Wizards kept dishing out players after trading away Jamison.

The Mavericks, having schemed in secret for days, finally made the biggest trade at the deadline with the Wizards.

Dallas sent Devin Harris, Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, and Quinton Ross to Washington in exchange for Tony Parker, Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson, and five hundred thousand dollars in cash.

After the trade, the Mavericks achieved a stature similar to that of the Spurs.

They improved their lineup with an excellent trade that enhanced their backcourt and strengthened their frontcourt without giving away any draft picks.

The Wizards did what the outside world hoped for by clearing house.

This enabled stronger teams to reinforce their rosters, intensifying the competition.

The Mavericks’ reinforcements elevated them to a championship-contending level, consistent with the Spurs, and the inactive Rockets had recently defeated the SuperSonics.

The Texas trio grew increasingly stronger.

The Western Conference stole most of the focus on deadline day, while the Eastern seemed more like the exploited party.

Philadelphia warmed up the Spurs, the Wizards warmed up the Lakers and Mavericks.

Ainge, like a vampire unable to draw blood, could only cut losses to stop bleeding.

The Celtics and Pistons’ trade was the last drama of the trade deadline.

Michael Redd had been at odds with his team since the end of the 2008 finals if his severe injury from the prior season hadn’t occurred, he would have been traded earlier.

Now, in a contract year, although Redd’s abilities could no longer reach star levels, his expiring contract was attractive to weaker teams looking to reduce expenses.

The Pistons were determined to rebuild around Joe Dumars’ “point guard prodigy” Rodney Stuckey, with Tayshaun Prince being the only survivor from the 2000s.

With Prince’s capabilities, he could still play a vital role in a playoff team, thus, Dumars was keen on making a trade.

Unexpectedly, the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavericks were not interested, but the Rockets did inquire about swapping Scola for him.

Ever since deciding to rebuild with Stuckey as the core, Dumars had been somewhat confused, but he had not lost his mind and would not agree to such an offer.

The wait was worthwhile; at the last moment, Dumars received Ainge’s offer: a flat rate, Michael Redd plus two first-round picks for Tayshaun Prince.

Dumars: Deal.

For the Celtics, Prince was a nice reinforcement, and without this addition, they might not withstand the Miami Heat’s onslaught.

But Ainge was well aware that their championship window had closed in the summer of 2008.

Yu Fei had personally shut it.

LeBron James’s “Decision” was called the “Genesis” by NBA professionals.

This rash act made James a major villain, but it fundamentally changed the NBA’s team-building model for half a century.

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The old model of players playing and management building teams no longer worked; players banding together became a more convenient way to build teams.

The management’s job was to create cap space.

The Lakers’s Evil Empire was built under this model, their depth driving opponents to despair, even a team like the SuperSonics would shiver at the sight of such Lakers.

But Ainge still had to do what he needed to do.

Experience told him that perfect team building does not guarantee a championship. If the SuperSonics and Lakers sustained heavy losses in their internal Western battles, it would be an opportunity for the Celtics.