The Road to Stardom: Start as a Slam Dunk Master

Chapter 460 The turbulent trading market

After all, he once worked at the league headquarters, and Bob received a lot of internal information. When Stern was on the phone with him, he even vaguely asked him if he wanted to go back to the league headquarters.

Frankly speaking, as the most trusted celebrity around Stern, Bob was very familiar with Stern's various preferences and habits. Asking him what he meant by this sentence was actually the same as the insider information he had received recently. The news is the same. The league will prevent the SuperSonics from winning four consecutive championships next season in order to calm the increasingly loud protests and dissatisfaction of fans across the United States and to bring back the dwindling NBA ratings in the United States.

Frankly speaking, Bob is well aware of the difficulties Stern and the league are facing now, and he also understands the reasons why the league is doing this.

But... how many people can ask a professional manager to give up a super championship team that he personally built?

And there are two more important points.

First, Bob considers himself to be a kind-hearted person that is quite rare among NBA professional managers. In the past two years in the SuperSonics, he has gotten along very well with everyone on this team and has a good relationship, no matter how good they are. McMillan, Supersonics pillar Payton, or new Wang Lindong, Bob and them not only have to say that they are heart-to-heart, but they are also honest with each other.

Now seeing a trap led by the alliance that was dug for these people right in front of him, Bob really couldn't bear to ask Bob to protect himself and watch these people jump down.

At the same time, there is a second, more important point.

After working with Yang Dong for two years, Bob felt that he had fallen in love with this female boss who was 13 years older than him.

The arrogance and confidence in this oriental woman made him unable to extricate himself from his obsession!

Of course, it could only be a secret love. He knew that Lin Dong's father would go to Seattle whenever he was free, and almost always lived in the villa of Yang Dong's family. It was said that he lived with his son, but Yang Dong could acquiesce in allowing his ex-husband to live at home. Bob was smart, and from the perspective of a bystander, he could obviously see that the old relationship between the two people was still intact, and there was a high probability that they would get back together.

However, you don’t have to get what you like, Bob just wants to do his best to protect her.

So he rejected Stern's proposal to return to the headquarters and chose to stay with the Sonics. As an old friend, Stern obviously understood this and even guessed that Bob would refuse and guessed his refusal. The reason is that there were only vague hints to Bob before. To put it bluntly, it was actually tacit.

Seeing the predicament of the Sonics and the troubles of the Goddess, Bob has been thinking about helping the team overcome the current difficulties since he felt all this.

Before the finals even started, he had already gone to New Jersey on a business trip. In order to win Kidd and add a layer of risk resistance to the Sonics next season, he really went all out.

The opponents competing for Kidd are already clear. There are two main ones, one is the Lakers and the other is the Cavaliers.

The condition that the SuperSonics can offer is a four-year, 60 million maximum salary contract. Considering that Kidd has already jumped out of the team and lost his Bird rights, this is the highest salary that a team can offer him. .

In contrast, the Lakers, limited by the salary space of Yao Ming and Kobe Bryant, as well as their own reinforcement plan, can only give Kidd a four-year, 55 million contract. With the Lakers' budget this year, they are indeed even more They can't score a single point. Their luxury tax this season has reached the limit of the third bracket. If Kidd is given an extra 1 million, the luxury tax will be directly raised from the third bracket, which exceeds the salary by 2 times, to The fourth level with three times the salary is more than just tens of millions more.

As for the Cavaliers, thanks to the fact that Wade and LeBron both executed low-priced 3+1 rookie contracts and planned to ruthlessly clear out a group of useless veterans, the Cavaliers have more salary space than the Sonics. Much more adequate, Kidd was offered a four-year salary of 60 million that matched the SuperSonics, but in Bob's eyes, the Cavaliers were not qualified to compete with the SuperSonics.

Why did Kidd give up his Bird Rights and join the free market?

It's just because I hate the Nets' failure to live up to expectations, and it's just because the old guy wants a championship ring. But now looking at the entire league, is there any team that has more hope of winning the championship next season than the SuperSonics?

The god of basketball Lin Dong, Sakuragi Hanamichi who has officially entered the league's top insiders, the extremely cost-effective blue-collar Chandler, Iguodala and Shane Battier who are the double best sixth man, and all of them are at their best. When you are young, have the most energy and your mental state is at its peak.

As long as Kidd takes Payton's place, the championship next season will be almost within reach, and no one in the entire league can compete with him!

And in addition to salary and future championships, the Sonics also gave Kidd the status of an absolute core point guard.

Let Payton, an absolutely historical point guard, serve as his substitute. What's even better is that Kidd and Payton are old friends. They have even been practicing together since they were very young. They have been friends for many years. If Payton hadn't been playing in the Finals, he would have flown over directly to Kidd for an interview.

It can be said that whether it is the team status, cards, or emotional cards, they are almost completely filled.

It would be fine if the Cavaliers paid more than the Sonics. Everyone has the same price. For a veteran who longs for a championship, does this still need to be a choice?

Bob felt that if he were Kidd, Kidd would have already agreed to it when he first came to the door.

But this shrewd and cunning guy kept hanging on to him, wanting to wait and see... What the hell are you waiting for?

On July 1st, seeing that the summer trading market was about to open tomorrow, Kidd still didn't give him a clear answer, which finally made Bob a little bit unable to sit still.

A super point guard that three strong teams are competing for will change later.

Last night, he had called Yang Dong and communicated again. On the basis of 60 million in 4 years, an additional 5 million would be added, 65 million in 4 years!

Anyway, the luxury tax threshold is US$0-4.99 million beyond the salary space. With an extra 1.25 million per year, the Sonics are still within the first-tier luxury tax line.

"Hi, Jason, 65 million for 4 years. This is the most sincerity I can offer. I believe no other team in the league can exceed this offer." Bob said enthusiastically: "Money, honor, Championship, everything..."

It is already past 8 pm at this time, and in four hours, when July 2nd enters 12 pm, the trading market will open.

Bob continued to talk. Yesterday, he issued a military order to Yang Dongli. Today, he must deal with Kidd before the trading market opens.

Unexpectedly, Kidd opposite him always just looked at him with a faint smile.

"Hey, brother, you are going in the wrong direction." Kidd said with a smile: "It's only 5 million. If this was what I wanted, I would have taken the initiative to talk to you long ago."

Bob was slightly startled and frowned: "Then what do you want?"

"You can't give me what I want." Kidd said with a smile: "The reason why I keep delaying your decision is because the other team also has a key condition that has not yet been negotiated."

"Have they got what you want now?"

"It's done, so my decision has been made."

"Fuck!" Bob has always considered himself a very gentleman, but when he heard these words at this moment, the aggrieved feeling of being played by Kidd for more than a month finally burst out: " You can't do this to my brother, I've been here with you for more than a month! And you have already decided, why do you ask me to do it?"

"I have indeed been thinking about it, because you are indeed my second choice, but the other party has met all my needs now." Kidd smiled: "I called you here just to express my apology in person, as you said "You have been waiting for me here for more than a month, which really makes me feel bad. I'm sorry. If I have a chance, I will make it up to you."

"You're making up for it!" Bob said angrily: "At least, can you let me know clearly? Which team are you going to? What did the other team promise to you?"

"This kind of thing shouldn't be said before the signing is completed..." Kidd picked up the orange juice on the table and took a sip: "But I believe in your character, not to mention there are only four left now. When I’m young...just think of it as a private chat between friends and some advice.”

"I want to go to the Cavaliers, and the condition they agreed to me is to give the Cavaliers a wave of reinforcements. I don't want to bring the two newcomers Wade and LeBron to compete with you," Kidd said with a smile: "The Cavaliers A deal has been reached with the Wizards. As soon as the trade market opens, they will use Ray Allenga's first-round pick next year to exchange for O'Neal."

Bob was startled.

The Cavaliers, with Wade and LeBron, are already one of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference, and now they have to add O'Neal and Kidd?

Oh my god...

But after thinking about it for a moment, Bob felt that this was impossible.

"What O'Neal signed with the Wizards last year was the highest salary in the history of the league at 110 million for five years! Counting you, the two of you alone are already 40 million, and the total salary cap is only 49 million, even if Wade and LeBron get it They are all rookie contracts, but..."

"Yes, the fourth level of luxury tax, and what I can tell you is that the Cavaliers are not even satisfied with this. When they are clearing some veteran contracts, they are even thinking about continuing to strengthen and recruit some on this basis. A strong blue-collar team... The luxury tax the Cavaliers have to pay this year is probably close to 100 million." Kidd said with a smile: "Don't compare with the stingy Nets boss I used to be, this young female boss of the Cavaliers. His courage is even less than that of your Supersonic Boss Yang."

O'Neal + Kidd + LeBron + Wade, still need to strengthen? !

Bob's mouth was so wide open that it was almost impossible to close it.

Isn't this the Olympic team? ! Except that the substitute bench is not that strong...

It is true that O'Neal's reputation in the past two years has not been very good. He is incompatible with Kobe and in turn with Tracy McGrady, which makes him seem a bit useless and no longer dominant.

The same problem also exists with LeBron. After all, the Cavaliers were also exposed to various problems last season such as 'incompatibility', 'unreasonable distribution of ball rights' and so on.

But if the teammates of these two inside giants are Kidd... As the only man in the league nicknamed "Engine", this guy's organizational skills are enough to run any team!

If O'Neal is the outer frame of a supercar with the ultimate in dynamics, and LeBron and Wade are the chassis, suspension, rubber tires and other indispensable components of this supercar, then Kidd is the absolute supercar. 12-cylinder engine!

Without this engine, even if the best supercar is equipped with a naturally aspirated engine, you will not be able to run fast. But with Kidd... it will definitely have a way to maximize the effectiveness of every part of this supercar. !

Bob was speechless for a long time.

He finally felt the deep malice from this league towards the Sonics, and felt what kind of monster the Sonics would face next season!

"But, but..." It took Bob a long time to think of an argument that could barely persuade Kidd: "You still have to face Lin Dong! If you go to the SuperSonics, you can still win the championship, even easier. Even……"

"Easy must be good?" Kidd said with a smile: "If there is no opponent, what's the point of winning the championship?"

Bob was once again at a loss for words.

"Besides, if I go to the Sonics, people will say, 'Oh, before you came, the Sonics were the championship, or three consecutive championships'! People will say, Lin Dong is the absolute core of this Sonics, Jia Sen is just here to hold my thigh..."

"But if I go to the Cavaliers, people will say, 'Without Kidd, this Cavaliers can't win the championship at all, they can't understand each other'. And if I lead the Cavaliers to defeat the Sonics... Haha, brother, I need to continue to say Are you going down?" Kidd stood up with a smile and patted Bob on the shoulder: "I will fly to Cleveland at 11 o'clock in the evening. Wait until tomorrow, and you will see news about the Cavaliers all over the newspaper."

Kidd + O'Neal + Wade + LeBron... Bob's mind was still immersed in this terrible combination, and he was trying to make one last attempt to save him.

"Peyton said he would come over tomorrow, why don't you wait another night?" Bob said eagerly: "You were the best brothers ever. You practiced together, and you..."

"Oh, I forgot to mention it. Don't mention the duel between me and that guy again." Kidd couldn't help but cover his forehead: "Why do you think that guy Payton didn't come here before? The finals ended so many days ago. Already..."

"Why?" Bob asked subconsciously, feeling that he had become completely stupid.

"Didn't that guy tell you how he singled me out in the first place?" Kidd said in a dumbfounded voice: "We did grow up together, we were good friends, and we did practice together, but just because we practiced together I never want to play with that guy! I'm so fed up with that guy's trash talk. He even mocked me for not having anything on my lower body at the age of 16 and cursed me for never finding a girl in my life! Friend, can you believe it?”

Bob's mouth opened wide when he heard this. No wonder that guy Payton kept putting off coming to New Jersey after the finals...

"Thanks to his sad trash talk, I really never beat him in a one-on-one match, but next season..."

Kidd said with a smile: "I will enjoy the pleasure of beating up my old friend. Oh, I have really been looking forward to this for a long time!"

Bob finally couldn't say anything to save him. Some things seemed to be a foregone conclusion. Stern reminded him...

Just when he was a little frustrated, he saw Kidd, who had already reached the door of the hall, turned around and walked back.

Bob thought that the other party wanted to change his mind, so he suddenly became more energetic and looked at him expectantly.

But I heard Kidd say: "By the way, while you were just complaining about my crooked old friend, I forgot to tell you the most important thing."

"I have watched all your games this season. Frankly speaking, even without Payton, you would still have been the championship last season, but this year..."

"Find a really good point guard. Last season was just because the opponents were too weak, not that you didn't need a point guard. That guy Payton really declined too much. I don't want to face what I have to face after joining the Cavaliers. If the Sonics are short of major generals, it will be very meaningless to win!”

Bob smiled bitterly.

Good point guard? There are only so many good point guards in the league, and if the opponent is O'Neal + Kidd + Wade + LeBron and the Cavaliers who want to continue to strengthen, what good point guards in the league today are qualified to step up and replace Perry? Are you going to fight with them?

"Want to take my advice?"

"I'd like to hear some advice." Bob knew that the overall situation had been decided and that trying to stay would not change anything. Instead, he gradually calmed down.

"There is a good candidate." Kidd said with a smile: "Nash from the Mavericks, but that depends on what leverage you SuperSonics can bring."