Chapter 25 Flag

Madison Square Garden, Phoenix Suns' draft room.

The Suns held the 14th pick, with five minutes to consider their decision.

General Manager Steve Cole furrowed his brow.

His reaction wasn't due to the choice at hand but because of the phone call he had just hung up.

This year, the Suns' top draft target was Curry.

They had been striving to strike a deal with the Timberwolves, but none had been successful.

And just as he was preparing to settle for the Warriors, the Warriors outright snatched Curry away.

It was unexpected because Curry's agent had even warned the Warriors not to pick him.

That led Cole to believe that the Warriors might be looking to inflate the price by using Curry to acquire some assets.

So, before the New York Knicks got the chance, he immediately contacted the Warriors' General Manager Larry Riley.

After several rounds of negotiations, even putting all-star Stoudemire on the table, the Warriors still refused.