Chapter 1300 The First Team in History with a Salary of over 100 Million

On October 6, Suns President of Operations Ross Bruce brought good news to Li Ba. TNT was going to sign a regional broadcast contract with the Suns and was currently entering into negotiations.

Regional broadcasting is different from national broadcasting. The income of the former belongs to the team, while the latter is distributed proportionally to the league. The Suns also signed such a contract a few years ago.

On October 7th, a signing happened, Deron Williams joined the Heat.

This signing made the defending champion Heat one of the most popular teams in the new season. The media began to speculate that the Heat would defend the title in the new season and even create a dynasty.

"Boss, Nike is manipulating my transaction. They have talked to my agent." On the morning of the 8th, Chris Paul suddenly called Li Ba.

"Where to go?"

Nothing strange, Li Ba asked.

"Lakers." Paul said.

"Trading within the same city? Are the Clippers a fool? They don't want the ball market?" Li Ba said in surprise.

"I don't know, but I want to go." Paul said.

"Then go." Li Ba smiled.

On the 11th, the Lakers and Clippers announced a trade. Nash and Paul were swapped, and the Lakers added two role players.

Barkley contacted the media for an interview and said: "I heard that Sterling and Mr. Buss have a very good relationship. When the Clippers entered Los Angeles, it was Mr. Buss who helped. Now I am convinced of this. Paul was given away for free. Lakers.”

The preseason started, and on October 20th, Li Ba’s family returned to Phoenix.

Li Yi and Li Yang have been five months old, and they have initially shown the physical fitness inherited from Li Ba. They can sit and play. In another month, I believe they will be able to crawl all over the floor.

On the 22nd, the team finished the preseason. On the 24th, Li Ba went to the team. This day was the official media day for the new season.

Arriving at the headquarters in the morning, Li Ba first went to Griffin and got the lineup for the new season.

Inside: Li Ba, Nene, Garnett, Chandler Parsons, Andre Drummond.

Outside: Jimmy Butler, Caron Butler, Harden, George Hill, Ginobili, Kidd, Nick Young, Jason Terry.

There are a total of thirteen players under contract, with two more to go.

Griffin introduced the salary status: "Jason Terry this season is $5 million, Nick Young is $5.6 million, Kidd, Garnett, Jimmy Butler, and Chandler Parsons are all about $1 million. , Nene is 10 million, Drummond is 2.3 million, Caron Butler is 8 million, Harden is 5.8 million, Ginobili is 14 million, George Hill is 8 million, a total of 62.8 million US dollars. 4.8 million more than the luxury line.”

"Including mine, the Suns are the first team with a salary exceeding 100 million. Also, David, my luxury tax is calculated separately, right?" Li Ba asked.

"Yes, so for this 4.8 million, we only need to pay 7.2 million US dollars at a ratio of 1.5." Griffin said with a smile.

"Including my luxury tax, it's close to 63 million." Li Ba felt that this money was given to the league for free.

He has been cheated. He has to pay such a high price every year for a little fame. Now that he has got the contract, it feels like it is no longer worthwhile.

Fortunately, with Adi, he didn't have to pay for it himself, so he found a bad guy.

Griffin then added: "Actually, I think Ginobili's contract is a bit big. We can consider trading him out. Anyway, he will be positioned as a substitute in the new season."

Li Ba smiled and shook his head.

Although he has a lot of business, he is not a pure businessman. He said: "Manu has played very hard for the Suns these seasons. He was a meritorious player in the second dynasty. This is the last year of his big contract. A contract is not that big, we can’t trade him, we don’t need to be so utilitarian.”

"Okay, I understand." Griffin nodded and smiled.

His attitude towards Li Ba is even more submissive now, not only because Li Ba led the team to the second dynasty, but also because Li Ba got the highest contract in the history of the entire league, the only one with the same contract as Jordan, and even more because of the new dynasty. Boss Hassan’s attitude towards Li Ba.

At this time Payton came, and the three of them talked about the lineup.

Payton said with a smile: "Those big team owners originally wanted to use the 'Hammer Clause' to restrict the Suns from renewing the Hammers contract, but they didn't expect that the team changed owners, which gave us an advantage."

Li Ba and Griffin laughed, and the latter said: "Our current lineup is very young and has good potential, and the salary is also under control.

Harden will be renewed next season, but Ginobili's contract expires, freeing up space. Our lineup can be used for several years, as long as we add a few veterans with minimum salaries. "

Li Ba looked at the list in his hand and said: "There are no big problems on both ends of the offense and defense inside. If we use Chandler Parsons as the starting power forward, he has three points to pull out, but his mid-range shooting needs to be strengthened. Not even in Chengdu.”

Payton nodded and said: "I will let the coaching staff develop a shooting plan for him."

Li Ba added: "Drummond will play as a substitute for me first. He won't have much playing time, because we still have to leave some time for Garnett and Nene. Their current strength is still good."

"Immortal, Drumola's position overlaps with yours. He has no shooting range and can't pull out, but he is good as your substitute. His rebounding ability is very strong." Griffin said with a smile.

"Small forward, two Barretts? Let's start with Caron Butler, right?" Li Ba asked Payton, who nodded and said: "Jimmy Butler's performance last season was average and his potential was limited. I mean again. Play for one season, and if it doesn’t work, give up.”

Li Ba nodded. He was not a coach and couldn't tell about potential. This was a matter for the management and coaching staff.

"On the back line, we have Harden and George Hill as the starters, right?" He asked Payton again.

Payton nodded: "That's for sure."

"OK, let's go see them now." Li Ba stood up.

The three of them brought other management members to the training ground.

"Hey, look who's here?" Li Ba shouted as soon as he entered.

"Boss!"

When Harden saw Li Ba coming in, he cheered and ran over.

"Boss!"

Several rookies immediately shouted, their attitudes were very respectful.

"Hammer!"

Kidd greeted Ginobili and Garnett.

After glancing at everyone, Li Ba said with a smile: "Seeing you, I feel that the new season is not challenging!"

"Haha..." The meaning of this statement was too obvious, and everyone laughed excitedly.

Especially Garnett and Kidd, who came to hug their thighs, were extremely excited.

"The Hammers, Lakers and Heat are still strengthening." Griffin reminded.

"It doesn't matter. They pay more luxury tax and help those small teams make up for their shortfalls." Li Ba said with a smile.

Everyone laughed again.