NBA: Built to Dominate

"Are you sure?"

"No, no, no—we can't agree to that deal!"

"Wait, hold on... You're right. That works. No problem."

"Okay, if you can really make it happen, I'll throw in another 1997 first-round pick. Any team will do, but we need an extra asset."

On the other end of the call, Red Auerbach was engaged in a heated yet productive discussion.

When two brilliant basketball minds like him and Jerry West negotiated, there was no room for games—only straight-to-the-point conversations.

"Jerry, your offer is solid," Auerbach admitted, puffing on his cigar. "But remember, this is a multi-team deal. No one can afford to back out. If one side hesitates, the whole thing collapses."

West reassured him, "We're fully committed, but did you secure the other teams?"

Auerbach took another deep puff of his cigar.

"If you've got everything locked in, call me back. I'll be waiting."

After hanging up, he smirked and said to his assistant, "Jerry is as bold as ever."

Auerbach had spent years battling Jerry West on the court and in the front office. He knew firsthand how shrewd and daring the Lakers' GM was.

But what shocked him now was West's audacity to propose a deal with their biggest rivals—the Boston Celtics!

The Lakers and Celtics were arch-enemies. Trades between the two franchises were almost unheard of, especially with tensions still high from their historic rivalry.

But Jerry West, never one to back down from a challenge, had called Auerbach personally.

"For the sake of rebuilding the Lakers, he's willing to talk to us. That takes guts."

"Boss, are we really going to deal with the Lakers?" Celtics assistant M.L. Carr asked hesitantly.

"Kyle," Auerbach said firmly, "Remember, the NBA is a business. No permanent enemies—only permanent interests."

The Cardinals knew it well.

While the Lakers had landed Mo Ran, Boston had a golden opportunity to rebuild for the future.

Auerbach always had concerns about Allen Iverson's height (6'0"). Despite his scoring prowess, it was unclear how well he could adapt to the NBA's physicality.

Instead, Auerbach had long set his sights on a young high school guard from Pennsylvania—Kobe Bryant.

But trading Iverson straight up for Kobe wouldn't make sense. The deal needed more value.

Jerry West knew exactly what Auerbach wanted.

So when West pitched a deal that would bring Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant to Boston in exchange for Iverson, Auerbach didn't hesitate.

"Alright, let's get it done," he said, crushing his cigar in the ashtray.

Staples Center – Los Angeles

Jerry West exhaled deeply after hanging up the phone.

Negotiating with Auerbach was no small task. The legendary Celtics executive saw through any bluff or trick.

"General Manager, did it go through?"

West rubbed his tired eyes. "Call Charlotte and Dallas. We're almost there."

He leaned back in his chair, exhausted but satisfied. This deal had taken weeks of planning, involving four different teams and multiple moving pieces.

July 10 – The Blockbuster Trade Is Official

The American basketball world exploded when news of the trade broke.

Not because of the players involved, but because of the teams involved.

The Lakers and Celtics had made a deal.

This four-team trade included:

Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks

Trade Breakdown:

Dallas Mavericks receive:

Nick Van Exel (from Lakers)1997 first-round pick (from Boston)

Reason: Jason Kidd and Jimmy Jackson had an ongoing personal feud that was tearing apart the locker room. Trading Kidd provided a fresh start, and getting Van Exel in return was a solid move.

Charlotte Hornets receive:

Eddie Jones (from Lakers)1998 first-round pick (from Lakers)

The Hornets originally drafted Kobe Bryant but were looking for immediate impact. Jones, an established All-Star-level player, fit their needs better than a raw high school prospect.

Boston Celtics receive:

Jason Kidd (from Mavericks)Kobe Bryant (from Hornets)1997 first-round pick (from Dallas)

Auerbach's dream scenario was becoming reality. Kidd and Kobe would be the foundation for a long-term rebuild, setting the stage for a run at Tim Duncan in the 1997 draft.

Los Angeles Lakers receive:

Allen Iverson (from Celtics)Dell Curry (from Hornets)1998 first-round pick (from Charlotte)

The Lakers now had Mo Ran and Iverson, reuniting the Georgetown Twins in the City of Angels.

The media frenzy was immediate.

"The Lakers and Celtics actually made a trade?"

"What the hell is going on?"

Fans of both teams were stunned. Rivalries aside, the deals made sense.

Jerry West was betting big on the future—pairing Mo Ran and Iverson to create a fast-paced, high-scoring team built for the modern NBA.

David Stern's Masterstroke

NBA Commissioner Stern was ecstatic.

"Mo Ran and Iverson in LA? Lakers-Celtics rivalry renewed? Christmas Day just got more exciting."

He ordered changes to the league schedule, ensuring the Lakers and Celtics would face off in a prime-time showdown.

"The Georgetown Twins vs. Kidd and Kobe—this is going to break ratings records!"

Mo Ran's Reaction

Iverson called Mo as soon as the news broke.

"Mo, I can't believe it—WE'RE TEAMMATES AGAIN!"

Mo laughed. "Crazy, huh? We really can't escape each other."

Iverson joked, "So... Boston vs. LA on Christmas? Looks like we're bringing our old Big East rivalry to the big leagues."

Mo grinned.

"Time to show the world what Georgetown's finest can do."

Meanwhile, in Boston…

Auerbach was already plotting his next move.

"Kyle, we'll focus on developing Kidd and Kobe this season. We're tanking for Duncan next year."

A legendary rivalry was reborn, with both teams looking toward the future.

The Jordan era was coming to an end.

The age of Mo Ran, Iverson, Kidd, and Kobe was just beginning.