A month of training is finally over. For the men's basketball team members, this month of training is really a torment.
"Finally I don't have to eat those nutritious meals anymore. Now I feel sick to my stomach just thinking about those things."
"I don't know how I got here this month. I woke up earlier than a chicken, went to bed later than a chicken, and ate worse than a chicken..."
"Actually, the food is not bad. There are fish, meat, eggs and vegetables. However, the level of American cooks is not very good. They bake or boil. No matter how good the food is, it will not taste good. If it were a Chinese cook, maybe it would be bad. It’s enough to eat.”
In the front row of the bus, men's basketball coach Sun Chenggong listened to the complaints of his players and sighed helplessly.
"You have to start complaining after suffering this little. You have to know that many NBA stars have been eating according to this kind of diet for more than ten years. Our players have really poor self-discipline." Sun Chenggong thought that he hated the iron. road.
Sun Chenggong is quite satisfied with the results of this training trip to the United States. Although it only lasted for a month, most of the players gained weight, and the increase was not fat, but muscle.
Domestic basketball players are generally thin, and many players look like thin bamboo poles. Therefore, muscle gain has always been a very important training goal for domestic basketball players. However, in the domestic training environment, the effect of muscle-building training for players is not very good. Of course, some players themselves are not self-disciplined enough and do not pay much attention to their diet. How can they possibly gain muscle when they eat skewers, beer, and fried food every day? .
However, in the United States, the overall training environment is completely different, and Dai Li's physical training level is much higher than that of domestic physical trainers. Moreover, although the Clippers' training base faces the sea and the spring blossoms are blooming, it is in the middle of nowhere. You can't go anywhere without a car. Even if the men's basketball players are not self-disciplined enough, the environment will force them to be self-disciplined. .
"I'm about to go to Europe to play a warm-up match. I believe the results of this month's training will be revealed soon." Sun Chenggong looked at his watch and suddenly thought of another thing.
"Yesterday, Coach Li flew to New York to participate in this year's NBA draft. The Clippers have the 20th pick in the first round. I don't know who they will pick." Sun Chenggong said to himself. .
…
New York, the NBA draft scene, almost all the head coaches and team managers of the 30 NBA teams were present.
A Clippers staff member hurriedly walked to Dai Li and whispered: "Coach, the Kings want our second-round pick. They are willing to pay some cash, or next year's second-round pick." Draft picks.”
"It seems that the Kings have a candidate they like." Li Dai thought for a while and then said: "Then let's exchange the draft picks with them. We want their second-round draft pick next year."
Second-round picks, especially those after the 40th pick, have historically been viewed as irrelevant. Teams in the NBA often use second-round picks as a sign of friendship.
For example, the Kings today took away a second-round pick from the Clippers. This is equivalent to owing a favor to the Clippers. From the Clippers' perspective, it's worth exchanging an inconsequential second-round pick for a favor.
The No. 1 pick, No. 2 pick and No. 3 pick were announced one by one, which was no different from previous media predictions. In fact, by draft day, the top three picks have basically been determined, and the team will not take risks in selecting others.
Starting with the sixth pick, the team's selections deviated from the media's predictions. Gradually, players outside the Little Green Room were selected, which meant that some players in the Little Green Room would fall out of the lottery.
In the NBA draft, there is a so-called "little green room." This is not really a green room, but a privilege. Players selected into the "little green room" can be accompanied by relatives and friends to watch the draft on site. Under normal circumstances, the NBA will invite at least 14 rookies to enter the Little Green Room, and these rookies will basically become rookies in the lottery.
After the first 19 rookies were selected, it was finally the Clippers' turn to make a selection.
"I heard that the head coach of the Clippers is very interested in Keltz Kumar from the University of Utah. I think the Clippers will definitely choose Kumar!"
"That's not necessarily true. Kumar's draft prediction is at the end of the first round and the beginning of the second round. Isn't it a bit wasteful to select him with the 20th pick?"
"I think the Clippers spread the word and said they are optimistic about Kumar just to lower Ronnie's contract extension price. After all, Ronnie and Kumar are both forward players."
"I heard that Ronnie asked the Clippers for a five-year maximum salary of US$150 million. He really dared to ask for it and regarded himself as an All-Star."
"Yes, if I were the Clippers, I would not agree to this price. Moreover, this asking price will scare away other teams from inviting him to contract. If the Clippers wants 150 million for five years, wouldn't other teams want How can we lure him with a maximum salary of 120 million over four years? It would be better to directly poach an All-Star player with a maximum salary."
Everyone was talking a lot, but Kelz Kumar at the scene had a nervous expression on his face. He would look in the direction of the Clippers' private room from time to time. He was worried about whether the Clippers would really choose him.
Finally, NBA President Adams came on stage and announced the results.
"The 20th pick, from the Los Angeles Clippers, their choice is Keltz Kumar!"
There was applause at the scene. Kumar stood up excitedly, took the Clippers hat from the staff and put it on his head. He walked onto the stage excitedly and shook hands with Adams.
The general managers and coaches of each team started talking again.
"The Clippers really selected Kumar. Is this a fake show?"
"Selecting Kumar with the 20th overall pick is really a waste. After all, there are many outstanding forward players among the rookies who have not been selected yet, and there are several who are better than Kumar."
"The Clippers are determined to lower Ronnie's contract extension price. I wonder if Ronnie will still hold on to the five-year maximum salary of 150 million after receiving this news. This time it can be considered a good thing. Watched the show."
…
Hawaii.
Ronnie was on vacation in Hawaii at this time. Due to the time difference, it was still afternoon in Hawaii when the NBA draft started, and Ronnie was enjoying the sunshine, sea breeze and delicious fruits.
The beauties in bikinis walking back and forth on the beach made Ronnie feel a little relaxed, and he even began to consider whether to go have a drink with a hot girl.
The phone rang, it was a call from the agent.
"The draft results are out, and the Clippers really selected Keltz Kumar." The agent said directly.
"What? They chose a striker!" Ronnie's expression suddenly seemed a little uncomfortable, and a sense of crisis began to emerge in his heart.
The agent continued: "Obviously, the Clippers are not only lowering the price, they are also really looking for someone who can replace you."
"It's a question of whether a rookie player can stay in the NBA, so why should he replace me?" Ronnie said angrily.
"Ronnie, I think we should lower our requirements appropriately. It's 150 million for five years. The Clippers are unlikely to give you that much." The agent advised.
"You asked me to insist on a five-year salary of 150 million yuan in the first place. Why are you asking me to lower the price now?" Ronnie said in an accusing tone.
"I was just testing the bottom line of the Clippers. I didn't expect the Clippers' management to be so decisive and immediately look for someone who can replace you." The agent paused and then said, "But don't worry, I I will continue to fight for your best interests, what do you think of US$125 million in five years?"
"125 million for five years. Although it is less than before, the average annual salary is 25 million. Well, if the Clippers are willing to accept this condition, I can renew my contract with them." Ronnie replied.
…
"Ronnie's agent has made some noise. They have offered 125 million for five years." Xiao Yunan said.
Dai Li curled his lips disdainfully. Now that the Clippers have the potential rookie Keltz Kumar, Ronnie has become less important. Not to mention 125 million in five years, the Clippers gave Ronnie an opening before. Even Li Dai thought it was expensive to pay 90 million for five years.
"Don't refuse first, just say that our management wants to discuss it. Then expose Ronnie's condition to the media." Dai Li gave instructions.
"Why do you do this?" Xiao Yunan asked.
"125 million for five years, an average of 25 million per year. I want other teams to know the news, that is, tell everyone who is interested in Ronnie that they need at least a four-year contract of US$100 million to poach Ronnie. Do you think anyone among the other 29 teams will make such an offer?"
Li Dai smiled and then said: "I don't think other teams can offer such a high offer. Ronnie's requirements are so high. Other teams know that they cannot meet Ronnie's requirements, so they will not give him an offer easily." An invitation contract, so that we can delay the renewal of Ronnie for a longer period of time."
"As time goes by, each team will gradually sign or renew players, and their salary space will become less and less. When other teams do not have enough salary space to sign Ronnie, we will be Ronnie's only option is that it will be easier to keep the price down, so it would be more beneficial for us to delay Ronnie's contract extension for a longer time."
After hearing what Li Dai said, Xiao Yunan stared at Li Dai with a strange look.
"I find that you seem to have become bad. You can even think of such a harmful move! You didn't have so many tricks before!" Xiao Yunan said with a smile.
"This is not called becoming bad, this is called becoming mature!" Li Dai shrugged helplessly, but with a proud smile on his face: "Besides, I will give you, a former eldest lady of the Dingtian Group, as my husband. If I didn't have any brains and was just stupid, I might have been divorced by you long ago!"
…
Detroit Pistons.
In the conference room, several key members of the coaching staff and management were already present to discuss the Pistons' direction for next season.
"Next season, we need to strengthen the team's forward line, and I hope to make signings in this area." The head coach said.
"Are there any suitable candidates for the coaching staff?" the Pistons general manager asked.
"Roney of the Clippers is a good candidate. After he became the main force of the Clippers last season, his data has improved a lot. He is currently a restricted free agent. I think we can give him an offer. Let's see. Let’s see if the Clippers can match it,” the Pistons head coach replied.
"Then how much do you think we should offer Ronnie?" the Pistons general manager then asked.
"80 million in four years should be about the same. If not, add 5 million in bonus terms, so the average annual salary will be more than 20 million, which should be able to impress Ronnie. And the Clippers just selected a man in the draft Forward rookie, they may train this rookie, I think they may give up on Ronnie and choose not to match our offer." The Pistons head coach said.
"Hahaha, do you think 80 million in four years can impress Ronnie?" The Pistons general manager showed a teasing smile on his face.
"Isn't 80 million in four years enough? Is it possible that Ronnie wants the maximum salary?" the Pistons head coach asked.
"Who says otherwise! You probably didn't pay attention to yesterday's news. Ronnie asked the Clippers for $125 million over five years!" the Pistons general manager said.
"Oh my God, the asking price is so high, is Ronnie crazy? Then what is the Clippers' reply? They will definitely not agree." The Pistons coach said immediately.
"The Clippers responded that they are considering it." The Pistons general manager spread his hands and continued: "125 million for five years, which is an average of 25 million per year. In other words, if we want to poach Ronnie, the minimum price we need to pay is A four-year, 100 million contract, so he might accept it. Four years, 80 million, he will definitely refuse. Even if Ronnie really accepts a four-year, 80 million offer, I guess the Clippers will choose to match it. Yes. After all, you can consider 125 million in five years, but why should you hesitate about 80 million in four years?"
Upon hearing the news, the Pistons head coach suddenly frowned.
The Pistons general manager continued: "So, I suggest that the coaching staff give up on Ronnie. Let's talk about the next signing target. It will definitely be more realistic than Ronnie!"
…
Ronnie played 19+5+3 with the Clippers last season, which is pretty good for a small forward. Coupled with the fact that he is a restricted free agent this year, there will naturally be teams interested in him.
However, the team is very cautious about the quotations for restricted free agents. When they learned that Ronnie had offered the Clippers a five-year contract extension of 125 million, they all backed down.
Ronny's offer means that other teams will need at least four years and 100 million for Ronny to accept the offer, and at the same time, the possibility of the Clippers matching the offer is not ruled out. Once the Clippers choose to match the offer, according to NBA rules, the Clippers will have the right to sign Ronnie. In that case, the team that made the offer will be in vain.
A bad team should try to make the record as bad as possible, and then gather a few No. 1 and No. 2 picks. They don't have to sign Ronnie to improve their record, let alone give him a point for four years. contract.
Although the reinforcing team wants Ronnie, they feel that Ronnie's asking price is too high, so it would be more cost-effective to directly introduce a mature star player.
The teams competing for the championship look down on Ronnie. In addition to being interested in superstars, they also need some cost-effective role players who can protect the team's superstars. A guy like Ronnie who has a high asking price and is not up to the All-Star level but is better than a role player is not qualified to be a core player, and it would be a waste to have him be a role player, so teams competing for the championship don't need him. A player like Ronnie.
For a time, Ronnie became an unknown entity in the free agent market.