Chapter 1439 Recruiting Artest
The news came very suddenly. Originally, the Lakers were the least active team in the entire league. This is understandable. The Lakers are the defending champions for two consecutive years. Generally speaking, the defending champions will not make too many changes to their lineup, because If you win the championship with this lineup, it proves that the entire lineup is the strongest. Random changes will generally destroy the Great Wall.
Looking at the previous dynasties, generally speaking, even the role players did not change much, whether it was the original Bulls or the later OK.
Moreover, the Lakers have just renewed Ji Feng's contract at a record price. In everyone's eyes, this is the most perfect signing this summer.
ESPN even bluntly stated that even if the Lakers don't make a deal next, just by successfully renewing Ji Feng's contract, they can get an A+ in the summer trade evaluation.
Therefore, Lakers fans came to appreciate the crazy trading market this summer with the attitude of watching a show. As a result, just when the summer just ended, the melons were eaten at home!
Lakers fans couldn't sit still for a while, because anyone with a discerning eye could see that although Ariza was only Ji Feng's substitute in the Lakers, he averaged only 13.5 minutes per game in the regular season, and this data dropped even further in the playoffs. It's about 10 minutes, but Ariza's role goes without saying.
Ariza averaged 7.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game this season, shooting 46% from the field and 38% from the three-point range. Compared with his playing time, these statistics are eye-catching.
And his more important role is defense. Because of his existence, the Lakers' No. 3 position can be called the strongest defensive No. 3 position in the league. He and Ji Feng have teamed up to become a nightmare for all No. 3 positions in the league, and even more because of him. With the existence of Zen Master, there can be more changes in Zen Master's tactics.
A simple example is that with Ariza at the 3rd position, Ji Feng can swing to the backcourt or even inside at will. If Vujacic is replaced, his condition is not as good as before, the Zen master will not dare to let Ji Feng swing at will, especially against the opponent. For a team like the Cavaliers and the Nuggets with a super third position, having Ariza will make it easier for the Lakers to win.
So if Ariza leaves and the Lakers have nothing to add to the third position, Vujacic will return to the substitute position, which will undoubtedly weaken the Lakers.
Ji Feng also contacted Kupchak after getting the news, but Kupchak was also in a dilemma. Of course he hoped to keep him, but he had no choice because Ariza's price was too high.
Ariza wanted to ask for a long-term contract. The offer given by his agent was US$38 million over four years, while the Lakers were only prepared to offer a mid-level contract worth US$10 million over two years. Such a huge gap made it impossible for negotiations to proceed, and Ali Ariza just won the championship, and he is so young. It is difficult to tempt him with a championship. In Kupchak's heart, Ariza is not worth the price, so Kupchak can only express regret.
Ji Feng couldn't help it after hearing it. After all, this was a matter between Ariza and the management. He couldn't make a decision for either party.
So in the regretful eyes of all fans, Ariza announced that he would become a completely free agent on September 6 and began to test the free market.
Ariza's departure also made many Lakers fans angry, and many people rushed to his social account to leave messages dissing him.
But even though many people scolded him, Ariza still called Ji Feng specifically before leaving:
"Sorry, brother, I have decided to test the free market. I have been very happy here this year. This is the best group I have ever encountered in my career. We are a real TEAM, and I finally got the general contract. Championship, this is the ultimate dream of all players, I really like it here, but I can’t help it, brother, my child was born and I have to support my family." Ariza said on the phone.
To be honest, Ariza has been very happy here this year. Although he is a substitute, he is very happy getting along with Ji Feng. If he can choose, he really wants to stay. After all, this is a championship team.
"Man, I understand you. I wish you a safe journey and we will meet again on the court." Ji Feng replied.
To be honest, Ji Feng is not angry at all, at most he is a little regretful. The NBA is a business league, and departures like this are not uncommon here. It can be said that they are all over the street, and stop-and-go is a part of this place.
And like Ariza said, he needs to support his family. He is not an All-Star player, does not have that much attention, and does not have that many endorsements. His income is basically salary, so a big contract will be a big part of his career. The importance of the championship is self-evident, and it is understandable to pursue a bigger contract after winning the championship.
So after hanging up the phone, Ji Feng could only accept this fact. In fact, if Ariza left, he would leave. It would not hurt the foundation of the Lakers. As long as the starter is there, they will not have any big problems.
But just when the Lakers had accepted Ariza's departure from top to bottom and were preparing to start the new season with their current lineup, the story turned again!
"Breaking news! Ariza signed with the Rockets!" ESPN said in the news on the morning of the 8th, and the Rockets officially confirmed the news.
Ariza signed with the Rockets for 33 million in 3 years!
Before Rockets fans could feel happy that they had gathered together some of the best defensive third positions in the league, the Rockets official updated the news.
Artest leaves the team!
Public outcry!
Fans said that no wonder the Rockets signed Ariza at such a high price. It turned out that Artest was leaving the team!
After Artest left the Rockets, he bluntly stated in an interview that he left because he wanted to win the championship: "He wants to go to a team that can compete for the championship!"
This has stirred up a hornet's nest, and various teams have begun to extend olive branches, hoping to recruit this powerful third position!
Although Artest is now 30 years old, he is still the third-digit player in the league. Last season, Artest played a total of 69 games, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.52 steals.
His three-point shooting percentage reached a career-high 39.9% (153 of 383). There were a total of 105 steals throughout the season, ranking first among the Rockets.
As of July 2009, Artest has ranked among the top five in the league in steals 3 times in the past 8 seasons in the NBA, and has led the team in steals 9 times in 10 seasons in his career.
You can say that Artest is an unstable factor, a villain on the court, plays dirty, is dishonest off the court, and is a locker room bomb, but you can't deny that he is a good player.
So as soon as he learned that Artest was leaving the team, Ji Feng immediately contacted the Lakers management with the purpose of recruiting Artest!
"Huh? Recruiting Artest?" Kupchak's first reaction was that Ji Feng was thinking too much, but his second reaction was that he was so excited!
That's Artest!
If Artest can be recruited into the team, then the outside combination of Ji Feng, Kobe, and Artest, plus the twin towers inside, will make Kupchak drool just thinking about it!