Chapter 392 Duncan Enters the Free Market

"Five crowns guaranteed?"

Old Bass felt like he had been given a shot of chicken blood, and his scalp began to feel electrified.

"Jerry, you start right away and do what you want," he said to West.

"OK."

West's spirit is extremely high. If this deal can be completed, the Lakers will definitely dominate the 2000s of the new century.

This transaction will be one of the greatest transactions of his general manager career.

In Miami, after Pat Riley got the news, regardless of whether it was true or false, he immediately contacted owner Mitch Arison.

"Mitch, you don't want to miss this opportunity, right? After getting Feilong, we can build a good lineup around him and guarantee six consecutive championships."

As a speaker, he said in a seductive tone.

But there is no need for him to tempt him. Mitch Arison has always wanted to strengthen his connection with Zhao Dong and Lindsay. How could he let this opportunity pass?

"Pat, I will support you at all costs. Don't worry about the luxury tax. I have no upper limit." Arison said.

"OK, I'll contact the Knicks right away." Pat Riley said excitedly.

In Portland, the Trail Blazers' management is having a conference call with owner Paul Allen to discuss trading Zhao Dong.

Paul Allen had no consideration but one request, which was to bring the God of Efficiency to Portland no matter what the cost.

In 1988, he spent US$70 million to acquire the Trail Blazers. At that time, Jordan's Bulls were only sold for US$15 million. This shows his love for sports and he did not hesitate to spend money. Cancer has not erased his love for sports.

He has only one goal for the Trail Blazers, and he has always had only one goal, and that is to win the championship.

To this end, he did not hesitate to invest huge sums of money, and even made the team the first team in the league to own a private jet. It will also be the first team with a salary exceeding 100 million yuan in the future.

Unfortunately, after more than ten years, this goal still seems to be far away.

But now, an opportunity is placed in front of him, and if he doesn't seize it, he will probably regret it for a hundred years, if he can live another hundred years.

"guys,

Seize this opportunity and we must not let it slip away. "His voice sounded very passionate and exciting on the microphone.

"Boss, we will contact the Knicks immediately." General Manager Wittester said immediately.

"I'll talk to James Dowland first, that's it," Paul Allen said.

The call was immediately hung up, showing that Paul Allen was very anxious.

He was in New York, and as soon as he hung up the phone, he started contacting James Dowland.

"Hey Paul, great to hear from you."

"Hey, James, let me tell you the truth, I want a flying dragon, you name the price."

"You? Well, Paul, I have no objection to this, but you have to talk to Feilong's agent."

Paul Allen was so shrewd that he immediately understood what James Dowland meant. The initiative in this transaction was not in his hands.

Combined with Zhao Dong's status outside the alliance, he is a billionaire whose wealth is still higher than his. Although his wife, Mrs. Lindsay, has not appeared on Wall Street for a long time, her Storm Fund and Tianlong Investment Bank are still giants on Wall Street. One, whose influence was extraordinary, he also understood James Dowland's intentions.

Soon, he called Wittester and told him to contact Zhao Dong's agent Ringo Wells directly.

On this day, a large number of league stars and head coaches accepted interviews with the media and expressed their views on the Knicks' intention to trade Zhao Dong.

"I heard it was Mr. James Dowland's decision. This is a crazy and stupid decision. I can't understand it at all. I'm not afraid of offending him. He did the stupidest thing. The Knicks could have won ten consecutive championships. , but he stopped it, he was a fool."

When Charles Barkley was interviewed by the New York Sports News, he even spoke arrogantly, which shows the anger and incomprehension in his heart.

Jordan naturally expressed his views to the media, saying: "This is an incredible decision."

He first made a characterization of this transaction that has not yet happened, and then said: "Feilong has no injuries at all. He is the first man in active service, the first man in history, the god of efficiency. He has just finished an incredible and great finals. , I can’t figure out why the Knicks would trade him, I can’t figure it out at all.”

On the morning of the 19th, Zhao Dong got up and turned on his phone. The text messages were beeping endlessly. He read a few of them, including those from Jordan, one from Da Meng, one from Barkley, one from Ginobili, one from Oakley, and some with a better relationship. They all sent text messages, asking about the transaction.

"I'm fine. The transaction is not surprising to me." He didn't bother to reply one by one and sent it to the group.

Soon, Jordan called.

"Feilong, come to Dallas. Let's join forces and I can come back." Jordan said anxiously.

"Come on, you are the boss, do you still want to sell the calf?" Zhao Dong said angrily.

"Uh, well, forget it, I can join forces with you as the boss!" Jordan said.

"I won't go." Zhao Dong said decisively.

"Why?" Jordan asked anxiously.

"Because Ladas has serious racial discrimination." Zhao Dong said bluntly.

"Damn racial discrimination!" Jordan cursed.

Subsequently, Zhao Dong received calls from several team owners in succession, including Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, Heat owner Larison, Lakers' boss Buss, and some other team owners.

These bosses assured him that after the transaction, they would definitely try their best to build a lineup with championship potential.

But Zhao Dong did not give a guarantee, only said that he would consider it.

Then he received phone interviews from many American media, and he chose the New York Times.

"Feilong, is it true that the Knicks want to trade you?"

"Yes, I was notified that I was going to be traded."

"Are you surprised?"

"No, the truth is, I was mentally prepared last season."

"What makes you think you're going to be traded?"

"The owner, Mr. Dowland, has business problems and he can no longer invest in the team. This is the only reason."

Zhao Dong had no intention or intention of taking the blame for James Dolan, so he told the truth.

In the afternoon, news from the United States has reached China.

"Brother Dong, are you really leaving the Knicks?" Dayao was the first to call.

He was still resting at home in Shanghai and did not report to the national team.

"Well, James Dowland is imitating others to play finance and is going bankrupt. If you trade me today, the Knicks might have to sell them tomorrow."

Zhao Dong said in a teasing tone.

"Brother Dong, Zhang Mingji has received inquiries from some teams. They want to trade me." After chatting for a while, Dayao suddenly said.

"Really?" Zhao Dong was also a little surprised.

"Brother Zhang said he was influenced by the God-Slaying lineup." Dayao said with a smile.

"Oh, you have only played for one year. You have to play for at least three years of the 3+1 contract. Unless the Nets take the initiative to trade you, don't propose a trade yourself." Zhao Dong warned.

"I understand, Brother Dong." Dayao said quickly.

Zhao Dong asked: "Have you made any news with the Nets during the offseason? What positioning does the owner and management have for the team's goals? Have they talked to you about this issue?"

Dayao said quickly: "After the playoffs, general manager Bill Remingway talked to me once and said that the team will strengthen and the goal is to win the championship."

"That's good. You and Marbury have a good relationship. Stay with the Nets first, play for another two years, and stay healthy. After two years, you will be the league's super center. At that time, it's up to you to chase When it comes to honor, don’t worry now.” Zhao Dong said.

"I understand, Brother Dong." Dayao said.

Zhao Dong smiled and said: "In two years, except for O'Neal, all the other super centers will basically retire, and O'Neal will also decline. The position of center in the league will be up to you.

The most important thing is to stay healthy, maintain your current flexible playing style, don't gain weight, and make good use of your height and technical advantages. "

"Understood, Brother Dong."

After Da Yao, Da Zhi and several others called to inquire about the situation.

Even Liu Yumin called because the Olympics were coming soon and she was worried that this matter would affect Zhao Dong.

"Director Liu, don't worry, this matter won't affect me. Our goal this year is the Olympic gold medal." Zhao Dong said with a smile.

"gold medal?"

Liu Yumin's hands on the other end trembled, but she quickly calmed down. After all, she had won the gold medal at the 1998 World Championships with Zhao Dong, so she had certain psychological expectations.

"Director Liu, I will report for duty in August and start training at the end of August. Let me tell you." Zhao Dong said again.

"No problem, have a good rest."

Liu Yumin added: "I heard that your wife is giving birth, congratulations!"

Zhao Dong laughed and said: "It's almost before the Olympics. The due date is August 20."

"Congratulations!" Liu Yumin smiled.

"Feilong, the Trail Blazers want to trade you."

The next day, at 9 a.m. on the 20th, Zhao Dong received a call from Ringo Wells.

"I know that. Their boss contacted me. What's the specific situation at your end?" he asked.

"Paul Allen is willing to invest heavily in building the lineup after trading you, which meets your requirements." Wells said happily.

Zhao Dong smiled and said: "Let's talk first. There are also the Lakers and Heat. We will mainly talk to these three teams first."

"good."

Wells said excitedly.

Wittester has promised him that as long as the deal is completed, he will give him a sum of money as a reward, so he is happy to make this deal.

Of course, he will not sacrifice Zhao Dong's interests for this. After all, he knows very well that Zhao Dong can bring him the greatest benefits.

Relying on Zhao Dong, he has transformed from an ordinary NBA agent to the most popular agent in the league in the past four years. This is where his interests lie. The money given to him by the Trail Blazers is only an additional income. He can still distinguish the big head from the small head very clearly.

In fact, he wanted Zhao Dong to go to the Lakers, because that is the largest football market besides New York. Only that kind of big football market can match Zhao Dong's status as the number one player in history.

"In addition, Feilong, the New York Times reported the content of your interview yesterday. James Dowland was almost scolded to death by the media and fans." Wells said again.

"Whatever, he made a lot of money from the Knicks, and now he wants to suck blood from the Knicks to support his family business. He should bear the pressure from the fans." Zhao Dong said with a smile.

The time has come to June 26, the day of the 2000 NBA draft.

According to Zhao Dong's memory, this was a draft of very poor quality. It was truly a young year and it did not produce a single superstar. It seemed that there were no All-Stars. The ones that developed best were a few role players, and the rest were either eliminated. , or become a marginalized person.

He didn't pay attention to this year's draft either. Now he only pays attention to two things, his wife's belly and his trade.

After the draft, the trade window opens.

On the 27th, despite the abuse from countless fans, the New York Knicks officially put Zhao Dong on the shelf.

Also on this day, Tim Duncan's agent officially announced that Duncan would give up his player option for the final year and test the free market.

"Boss, the team didn't give me a contract, I'm free." Fordson called, very frustrated.

"It's okay. Didn't you see that I put it on the shelves?" Zhao Dong said with a smile.

When he said this, Fordson's mood really improved and he smiled and said: "Boss, I'll go with you. I'll go wherever you go. It doesn't matter if the contract is smaller, as long as there are balls to play."

He invested with Zhao Dong and made a lot of money. In fact, he didn't care much about money anymore. He just wanted to play basketball for a few more years.

"Okay, just wait. By the way, your knees are not working now and your athletic ability has declined, so you need to strengthen your rebounding skills training. Don't waste the offseason. You have been resting for several months. In the playoffs, I don’t play much, so I can arrange for someone to do more training. In addition, the strength training of the lower limbs should also be strengthened. As long as the strength of the lower limbs is strengthened, some pressure on the knees can be compensated."

Zhao Dong warned.

"I know, boss." Fordson said happily.

Popovich's hair is falling out, and his beloved Tim Duncan has announced he's entering free agency, a huge blow to the Spurs.

Although Duncan was seriously injured, he still believed in Duncan's strength, because of Duncan's skills, he is not a person who relies on talent to play.

In fact, he has talked with Duncan several times, but he can't stop Duncan from testing the free market, which makes him very helpless.

At noon that day, he came to Duncan's house again.

"Tim, I promise, we will definitely strengthen the lineup this offseason."

Once again guaranteed, he put a ready contract in front of Duncan.

Duncan glanced at agent Charles Banks, who picked up the contract first and read it.

Popovich looked at Banks with a look of disgust in his eyes. He hated this agent so much. It was this guy who was encouraging Duncan to leave the Spurs.

"Twenty-seven million dollars in three years?"

Charles Banks directly turned to the page of the contract amount. After seeing the number, his face was full of astonishment, and he said to Popovich in surprise:

"Are you crazy, Mr. Popovich? Do you think this contract with only three years and an annual salary of only $8 million is worthy of Tim?"

Duncan also glanced at Popovich in surprise, took the contract from Banks, looked at the contract amount personally, and then shook his head in disappointment.

He requires that his contract should have an annual salary of tens of millions. A contract is a symbol of status. If you get a role player contract, no one will say that you are a superstar.

Popovich immediately explained: "Tim, Mr. Banks, we have to renew David. Our goal is the championship, so we can only give a three-year contract. David Robinson will retire after three years. We will definitely give Tim a 100 million yuan contract..."

"NONONO..."

Banks directly interrupted Popovich's tirade and said rudely: "In my opinion, you just want Tim to give you a part-time job, and only give you half price, which is absolutely impossible. So. Sir, would you like to hear offers from other teams for Tim?"

"The contract amount can still be negotiated."

Popovich swore that as long as he had a gun in his hand now, he would kill the guy in front of him.

"The gap is too big, how can we talk about it?"

Banks glanced at Popovich contemptuously and said: "The Lakers just offered Tim a five-year, sixty-five million dollar contract. This is more than twice your contract, and it's also You can increase the price..."

"That's impossible. The Lakers have O'Neal and Ben Wallace inside. It's impossible for them..." Popovich's words stopped abruptly.

Because he immediately thought of the best lineup. Although Duncan himself said that he is not the most suitable power forward in the lineup, he is definitely one of the most suitable power forwards. If O'Neal and Duncan team up, it is not impossible to defeat Feilong. But it's very possible, very possible.

Banks sneered: "In addition to the Lakers, Magic, Nets, Bulls, Mavericks and other teams, they have all offered contracts that are several times larger than the Spurs. I can definitely answer, Mr. Popovich, your This contract has no temptation for us, it is just a labor contract, and you treat Tim as a basketball leader, which is an insult to him."

Alas, he threw the contract in front of Popovich without giving the other party any face.

In fact, he deliberately humiliated Popovich. He wanted to destroy his relationship with the Spurs and cut off Duncan's last chance to stay in the Spurs.

Popovich was so angry that his whole body was shaking and his face turned purple, but he had no choice but to leave.

"Tim, the Magic just called. They said they will send a private plane to pick you up to visit Orlando. They even invited Tiger Tiger to be a lobbyist. This shows that their sincerity is a hundred times more than that of the Spurs. You must consider it carefully. After you are seriously injured, you must not refuse such sincerity casually."

Duncan nodded, but said: "I want to win the championship, Charles, I want to go to a team that can win the championship, but now Feilong will be traded, I don't know which team he will go to, so, I hope I will freeze mine until his deal is confirmed.”

"Is that so?"

Banks was startled, thought about it, and tried to persuade him for a long time, but Duncan insisted, so he had no choice but to agree.

But Duncan still promised to visit the Magic and did not directly reject the sincerity from Orlando.

But when he arrived in Orlando, he raised a personal question to Magic management, that is, whether his girlfriend could ride on the team's dragon, and then Magic management said that was impossible.

This answer made Duncan a little unhappy.

But he didn't show it, but his enthusiasm for magic was somewhat reduced.