[RMJH4]

Chapter 14: Call from Phoenix.

Monday morning 6am

Right just getting an early burn on. Some of the other staff are in the gym working out. No better way to clear the mind that an early workout. Just as I was about to stretch my work phone rings.

Mike Hobbs: Hey, this is Mike here.

Bryan Colangelo: Hey, Mike, it's Bryan Colangelo, the General Manager of the Phoenix Suns. How's everything going?

Mike Hobbs: Hi, Bryan. Things are going well here in Utah. What can I do for you today?

Bryan Colangelo: I wanted to discuss a potential trade opportunity with you. We have Penny Hardaway available, and I believe he could be a great fit for your team. Penny brings veteran leadership, scoring ability, and versatility to the table.

Mike Hobbs: Interesting, Bryan. Penny Hardaway has had a storied career, and I understand the qualities he brings to the court. However, before we delve deeper, could you provide some details on the trade package you have in mind?

Bryan Colangelo: Absolutely, Mike. We're willing to include a 2003 1st Round Draft Pick in the deal, along with Penny. We believe this pick holds significant value and could be an enticing asset for the Jazz.

Mike Hobbs: I appreciate the offer, Bryan. The inclusion of a 1st Round Draft Pick definitely adds intrigue to the discussion. However, I need to assess how Penny's skill set and contract align with our team's needs and financial considerations.

Bryan Colangelo: Completely understand, Mike. Penny has been working hard to regain his form, and we believe he still has a lot to offer on the court. He could provide a scoring punch and veteran presence for your team, especially during crucial moments in games.

Mike Hobbs: I acknowledge Penny's talents, Bryan, but I need to evaluate how his addition would impact our roster and our team's chemistry. I also have to take into account our long-term plans and the development of our younger players.

Bryan Colangelo: I respect your due diligence, Mike. If there's anything more you need from me to facilitate this discussion, please let me know. We see value in making this trade, and we believe it could benefit both of our teams.

Mike Hobbs: Thank you, Bryan. I'll take your proposal back to our coaching staff and management team for further evaluation. We'll carefully consider the potential impact of adding Penny Hardaway and the value of the draft pick. I appreciate your willingness to engage in this conversation.

Bryan Colangelo: Absolutely, Mike. Take your time to assess the situation. If you have any further questions or need additional information, don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to continuing our dialogue.

Mike Hobbs: Thank you, Bryan. I'll be in touch soon to discuss the next steps. Let's keep the lines of communication open as we explore this potential trade opportunity. Have a great day.

Bryan Colangelo: You too, Mike. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Take care.

Two weeks to the deadline and here we go. A lot of teams looking to freshen up their roster and make a playoff push, or just look for a better draft pick. We have been having some issues with 2 guards recently and Penny might help us out in this area. He's a big contract though, 4 years left. The 1st round pick is enticing though. Greg Ostertag will have to go in this trade, but after that it will be tough to match salary. I really don't want to include Matt Harpring. I'll have to see what Kevin (O' Connor) thinks about this one first.