Los Angeles Lakers general manager Kupchak looked at the big old man in front of him with a wry smile.
"Phil, I'm not lying to you. I really have never had any contact with Zhang Guan or his agent team. This report is false." Kupchak pointed to the New York Times on the table. explain.
This big old man was naturally the head coach of the Lakers, "Zen Master" Phil Jackson. After he saw the news in the newspaper, he rushed into Kupchak's office immediately and asked Kupchak for help. explain.
"Does that mean what the New York Times said is false?" Phil Jackson believed it 80%. He felt that there was no need for Kupchak to lie to him about this matter.
"Phil, you are the head coach. If I really want to introduce players, how could I not ask for your opinion first? Besides, it is a big-name player like Zhang Guan. We have worked together for so many years, don't you still understand me? Huh!" Kupchak sighed, and then said: "To be honest, Zhang Guan is a hot potato right now!"
"Why do you say that?" Phil Jackson asked.
"Today recently, I received a total of twenty-nine emails asking about the possibility of trading Zhang Guan's signing rights." Kupchak paused and then said: "Yes, you heard it right, it's twenty-nine." Feng, there are only thirty teams in the NBA, which means everyone is interested in Zhang Guan! Including our old enemy the Celtics... "
"The Celtics are already strong enough!" Phil Jackson then asked: "Then what are you going to do?"
"What else can we do? We can only tell them that Zhang Guan's signing rights are not for sale! One person killed an entire American team. If such a player falls into the hands of others, wouldn't it be a catastrophe for us!" Puchek said this and sighed again: "If we don't have Kobe on the team, I will definitely find a way to let Zhang Guan come to the Lakers."
"You're right. As long as Kobe is on the court, he is the leader of the team. He must be... maybe when he is no longer the leader of the team, that will be the day he retires." Phil Jackson said silently nodded.
"I can't help but someone fanning the flames!" Kupchak pointed to the newspaper on the table and said: "I think this is a test, a test for us, a test for Zhang Guan, and also a test for other teams. Testing. The manipulator behind it is most likely the Boston Celtics or the New York Knicks!"
When talking about the New York Knicks, Kupchak glanced at Phil Jackson inadvertently. However, when Kupchak was disappointed, Phil Jackson's expression did not change at all.
…
New York, next to Fifth Avenue, the Olympic Tower is magnificent. Because this building is close to New York's Central Park, you can have a panoramic view of Central Park.
The NBA's headquarters is located in the Olympic Building. At this time, NBA President David Stern was looking at the New York Times with an incomprehensible smile.
Vice President Xiao Hua stood not far away and asked: "President, there is no movement from the Los Angeles Lakers, and Kupchak's reaction was very calm."
"As I expected, the Lakers already have a Kobe Bryant, and there is no room for another Zhang Guan." David Stern let out a long sigh.
"Mr. Chairman, I don't quite understand why you would use this method to test the Lakers?" Xiao Hua asked.
"I'm not just testing the Lakers, I'm also testing Zhang Guan." A trace of worry flashed on David Stern's face, and he continued: "Eight years ago, Dayao came to the NBA and opened up a world for us. The largest market. Now, we have to be prepared for how we can maintain this market if we lose Dayao."
"Lost?" Xiao Hua was slightly startled. With Yao's level, it is obviously impossible for him to be cut off by the team like other players like other cats and dogs. The only possibility for the so-called "lost" is to retire.
When you reach a certain age, you can no longer play anymore and then retire, or you have to retire early due to injury!
Silver knows that the "loss" David Stern refers to must be the latter.
After thinking of this, a wisp of cold sweat broke out on Xiao Hua's bald forehead. He thought about it and realized that Dayao should only be 30 years old now. If he retired due to injury, it would indeed be a bit early.
The age of 30 is the peak of youth for many NBA stars. Many big-name stars do not retire until they are 35 years old. Some players who maintain good condition can even play until the age of 40. For people like Yao, if he is willing to accept the veteran's basic salary, it is estimated that even if he is over 40 years old, there will be teams competing for him. After all, the commercial value behind him has far exceeded the quota of a team or The value of a veteran’s minimum salary.
Since entering the NBA, Dayao has brought too much business growth to the entire NBA. According to previous calculations, the increase in business value brought by Dayao can last until at least 2016. However, if If Yao retires now, it will obviously be a big loss for the entire NBA.
The NBA is inherently a business, and in the eyes of business people, if you don't make a profit, you will lose, and even if you make less, you will lose.
"Mr. President, what do you mean?" Xiao Hua asked softly.
"The condition of Yao's leg injury is not optimistic." Stern hesitated and finally told Xiao Hua the news.
Xiao Hua's eyes widened. Since Stern said he was no longer optimistic, he must be in a very bad situation.
Silver did not ask Stern about the source of the information, nor did he ask whether the information was reliable. Stern has been the NBA president for nearly 30 years, developing the NBA into the most successful professional sports league in the world. The relationships and connections accumulated behind him are beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Stern must have had his own unique and accurate sources.
Just listen to Stern continue to say: "So we must take precautions and find Yao's replacement, and Zhang Guan is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate."
"Zhang Guan said two years ago that he will not enter the NBA for the time being. So this time, are you going to test Zhang Guan through the media?" Xiao Hua said.
"Yeah, I really hope Zhang Guan can change his mind. Zhang Guan's reputation is enough to drive the growth of our NBA around the world." Stern said.
"What should the Lakers do?" Xiao Hua then asked: "If Zhang Guan really decides to enter the NBA, what should the Lakers do? The Lakers have Kobe, do they have to choose between Kobe and Zhang Guan? What? Besides, Phil Jackson is also a difficult guy."
"If Zhang Guan has the intention to enter the NBA, then we need to urge the Lakers to trade away Zhang Guan's signing rights. We can give the Lakers appropriate compensation, such as draft picks and injury exceptions," Stern said. said.
Stern certainly knows that the Lakers will not trade Zhang Guan's signing rights, so when necessary, the league can only put pressure on the Lakers and then give the Lakers some benefits. Stern's best method is to use both kindness and power to give both sides the advantage. For example, the Cavaliers traded away James and received the No. 1 pick as compensation.
Just listen to Stern continue to say: "New Yorkers will definitely be very interested in Zhang Guan. They are not short of money. Even if they give Zhang Guan a big contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars, they will not be stingy. Besides, for a top player in the world For superstars, only big cities can match their fame and worth! It is also in the best interest of the league."
When Stern said this, his eyes flashed coldly: "Of course, if any small city team wants to cut off Hu, don't blame me for being rude!"
The first update is here, please vote for me next month!
(End of chapter)