NBA: Warrior godfather.

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Danny Ferry was fully aware that if things continued as they were, his time as general manager would soon come to an end. Every day felt like it brought a new set of challenges, and even his hair seemed to be abandoning him from all the stress.

But who could he bring to Cleveland? There was an abundance of bad contracts weighing down the Cavaliers, and getting rid of them without giving up future assets felt nearly impossible. Meanwhile, he watched stars on other teams thrive, knowing they could do wonders for Cleveland but without any feasible way to bring them in.

Then came a lifeline: James wanted Monta Ellis. Ferry gritted his teeth and made an offer to the Warriors, determined to show his star player that the Cavaliers were as committed to winning as he was.

"Liam! Your dad and I are heading over to Aunt Clara's house for some cards! You're on dish duty tonight!" Maria, dressed in new clothes that Liam had specially bought for her from Bogotá, inspected herself in the mirror and called out to him.

Liam, lounging in the living room and watching a replay of a recent Warriors game, barely glanced up. "Yeah, I got it… just don't stay out too late."

Tomorrow, he would buy a dishwasher. Maria and Javier had thoroughly embraced their retirement lifestyle, spending time with friends, going on walks, and indulging themselves—especially now that Liam was supporting them financially. Life was good, and they were enjoying it fully.

At first, Maria had been more gentle with Liam, doting on him with home-cooked meals and cleaning up after him. But in less than a week, her gentle treatment transformed into nagging him about his late nights, his tendency to sleep in, and even a list of chores she expected him to help with.

Just as he was rising to head to the kitchen, his phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Larry Riley.

"Larry, what's up?" Liam answered.

"I've received several offers for Monta Ellis, but the most serious ones are from the Cavaliers, Mavericks, and Knicks," Larry explained respectfully.

"The Cavaliers?" Liam's voice betrayed his surprise.

"Yeah, and Danny Ferry's offer is solid, but he wants Stephen Jackson included in the deal," Larry responded.

Liam hadn't expected the Cavaliers to express interest. It made sense for the Knicks and the Mavericks, though. Donnie Walsh, ever hungry for a new star, wasn't one to pass up an opportunity like this. And the Mavericks, dealing with the aging Jason Terry and Jason Kidd, were looking for someone with Monta Ellis's energy and scoring abilities.

But the Cavaliers? They already had Mo Williams, whose role and skill set overlapped with Ellis's, and LeBron, who thrived with the ball in his hands. Adding Ellis, and especially Jackson, to that mix seemed like a puzzle that might not fit.

"Okay, so what's the Cavaliers' offer?" Liam asked, curiosity tinged with caution.

"Danny Ferry is willing to trade Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao, plus first-round picks in 2010, 2012, and 2014. The 2012 pick has a top-three protection, but if extended to 2013, it has no protection. In exchange, they want both Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis," Larry relayed (1).

Liam took a moment to process this. "So, he's all in," Liam muttered. It was clear that Ferry was pushing to keep James on the team.

Ilgauskas, or "Big Z" as he was known, had been a solid presence for the Cavaliers. A former All-Star, he was on the decline, but his contributions were still respectable. Unfortunately, his worn knees and lack of mobility limited his effectiveness, particularly in the kind of fast-paced offense that LeBron James thrived in.

Varejao, on the other hand, was a gritty power forward from Brazil. He was known for drawing offensive fouls, grabbing offensive boards, and providing energy on both ends. With decent defense and an ability to grab rebounds, he was among the few talents Cleveland had developed internally. Yet, the real asset in Ferry's offer lay not with Ilgauskas or Varejao, but with the three first-round picks.

Danny Ferry was clearly making a bold gamble. By offering multiple picks and decent assets, he hoped that Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson could provide the offensive depth Cleveland needed to make a deep playoff run and, more importantly, convince James to stay.

If it worked, the Cavaliers would remain a powerhouse. In that case, those first-round picks would likely end up as late first-rounders—an easy price to pay for retaining the league's brightest star.

On the other hand, Ferry's mind wasn't completely clouded by ambition. The 2012 pick protection was a safeguard, just in case things went south. It offered some cover if the team didn't progress as he hoped or if James eventually chose to leave.

Of course, what Liam didn't know was that Ferry was confident James would stay. In Ferry's mind, Cleveland was James's city, and James was Cleveland's hero. For years, the front office had pushed itself to its limits, throwing large contracts to players they hoped could support their franchise star.

But despite the high hopes each season, the only consistency was their failure to secure the right players. James was vocal about staying in Cleveland, but the constant turnover of mediocre contracts and missed opportunities was testing his patience.

To Ferry, giving up a few late first-round picks in exchange for a high-scoring 24-year-old guard and a versatile veteran forward like Jackson was a no-brainer. It would be a win for the Cavaliers.

Back in the Warriors' front office, Liam was mulling over the deal. Ferry's offer held some weight. Big Z and Varejao's expiring contracts would help clear cap space, and the picks, though late, were still valuable as bargaining chips.

However, Liam was aware of the risks. He knew that trading two key pieces of the Warriors' lineup could alter the team's chemistry significantly. Jackson's veteran leadership was invaluable, and Ellis's scoring prowess added fire to their offensive game.

Still, Ferry's desperation was an opportunity. The Cavaliers had come close to making the Finals but were always one piece short, often outplayed by more well-rounded teams. Adding Ellis and Jackson could bridge that gap, but it would come at a high cost. Ferry was betting it all on a last-ditch attempt to keep James in Cleveland, and that urgency could work to Liam's advantage.

Liam looked over the offer one more time and weighed his options. Big Z's mobility issues and advancing age were a concern, but as an expiring contract, his value was primarily in clearing cap space for future moves. Varejao's energy was a nice bonus, but he didn't see the Brazilian power forward as a key factor in his plans.

The real prize was the draft picks. Ferry was offering a lot for a chance at the title, and Liam knew that these future assets could either lead to star power or become valuable trade currency. Even if the picks didn't fall high in the draft order, they gave him flexibility and leverage for the future.

In the end, the decision came down to one question: Was it worth shaking up the Warriors' lineup to help the Cavaliers chase their dream of a title run?

End of this chapter

Note:

(1)Keep in mind the Cavaliers are desperate for a star to keep Lebron at home at the same time Monta is not Wade.

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