"A shelter for the elderly, weak and sick? The new season hasn't even started yet, and we have another nickname!" Li Dai pointed to the magazine in his hand.
"You seem to be very happy. You're not complimenting us... Wait, what do you mean 'again'?" Johnson asked with his eyes widened.
"We were called the 'Los Angeles Overtime Team' last season. You must have heard about it, right?" Dai Li answered.
"I'm not in the mood to make fun of you right now. I am the general manager of the team, and I am responsible for the operation of the team. If the players we signed this summer perform poorly, I will be responsible. " Johnson continued.
"I know, you mean that if the players don't play well, you will take the blame for me. But haven't you seen the players' training with your own eyes?" Li Dai smiled nonchalantly, and then asked : "How is Ronnie's matter handled?"
"I inquired secretly, and there are indeed teams interested in him, but they are concerned about the price. Now there is no team with more than 20 million in salary space. Those teams that can offer Ronnie an offer, At most, we can offer a salary of 10 million to 15 million, but those teams are also worried, and we will match the offer." Johnson said.
"What about Ronnie? He still insists on a big contract worth 100 million yuan?" Dai Li continued to ask.
"Ronnie's agent has relented and expressed his willingness to agree to a five-year offer of US$90 million, but requires that the last two years be player options." Johnson replied.
Dai Li thought for a while and suddenly asked: "Do you think we can exchange Ronnie for a first-round pick next year?"
…
Back to a few days ago, the Clippers just announced that they had completed the signing of Ousefu.
The agent contacted Ronnie immediately.
"Ronnie, have you read the news? The rumors not long ago have become facts. The Clippers have really signed a contract with Ousefu." The agent said.
"I just found out. What? Do you think that addict can replace me?" Ronnie said with disdain.
"Of course Osev can't replace your position on the Clippers, but if Osev can really enter the rotation, he will definitely take up your playing time. Just imagine if you lose five or six minutes per game time, then can you still get the kind of data you have now?" the agent asked.
"Then what should I do?" Ronnie asked subconsciously.
"I think we should agree to the offer of 90 million for five years!" the agent replied.
"Damn it, you were the one who asked me to ask for a maximum-salary contract in the first place, and it was you who asked me to lower the price later. You swore that the Clippers would agree to our request and that you would help me fight for a high salary. But in the end, we still To accept their five-year offer of 90 million, everything is back to the starting point! You, as an agent, are simply worthless!" Ronnie cursed angrily. He felt that his agent had deceived him.
"I admit that I am blindly optimistic about this year's situation. You must know that in the past two years, many players have received big contracts, but the market this year is not as good as the previous two years. But I am also a victim, you If I didn't get the maximum salary, I would have to get a lot less commission, right? And I didn't expect the Clippers to be so cunning. They deliberately looked like they would match any offer, so that other teams would not dare to deal with it. Your quotation is actually delaying time." The agent explained.
"I don't care about this. What I want now is to settle the contract as soon as possible!" Ronnie took a deep breath, calmed down, and then said: "Okay, 90 million in five years is 90 million in five years, but in the last two years I have to decide on the player option. When the time comes, I will get out of the contract in advance. I must get a maximum salary!"
…
Two days later, news came that Hall had signed with the Clippers. The agent contacted Ronnie again.
"I have communicated with the Clippers management, and they believe that the price of 90 million over five years is too high." The agent said with a guilty conscience.
"What? They offered me a five-year, 90 million contract, but now they regret it?" Ronnie became completely angry.
"The Clippers just signed Hall. Although Hall is a shooting guard, he is 6 feet 6 inches tall. He has comprehensive skills and is strong enough. He can play as a forward. The Clippers believe that they have There are already enough backup candidates on the front line..." the agent said helplessly.
"You believe it when they say it? Hall has no meniscus in both knees. When he comes to the game, he is a cripple! Can he replace me? That's nonsense!" Ronnie said with disdain.
"Of course I know what you said. The Clippers just want to use this as an excuse to force us to lower the price." The agent said.
"I won't lower the price! 90 million in five years, I'm already at a huge disadvantage, I won't give up another penny!" Ronnie snorted coldly.
"But in case, I mean just in case, Hall can really play, even if he only plays seven or eight minutes in a game, it will take up other players' playing time. The key is that the Clippers will play in terms of players. There are more choices!" the agent said.
Ronnie understood what the agent meant. He snorted coldly and said, "You mean to ask me to lower the price again?"
The agent advised earnestly: "Ronnie, you have to understand that the NBA is a business, and negotiating a business is a process of mutual concessions. I think we should lower the price! My bottom line is 8,500 for five years. Thousands of dollars.”
"85 million in five years?" After hearing this number, Ronnie was immediately furious. He said in a roaring tone: "The Clippers offered me this price before last season was over. , now I have been waiting for several months, but the price is still the same, are you kidding me?"
"You have to know that this summer, the NBA market is not good, and there have not been many big contracts throughout the summer. The situation is like this, and there is nothing we can do..." The agent began to persuade him earnestly.
…
The sports news across the United States has been dominated by the news of Raymond's return.
Raymond is different from Hall. Hall's main position on the court is shooting guard, while Raymond is a swingman. He can really play small forward, and it was also revealed in the news that the Clippers promised Raymond A starting position, so he chose to come back with the Clippers.
"If Raymond is given a starting position, what position should I play? Do you want me to be a substitute?" Ronnie said angrily.
"Raymon can also play at the No. 2 position. Maybe he will appear in the starting guard position..." The agent comforted him. After Ronnie calmed down, he said: "I have some bad news, 85 million in five years." Yes, he was also rejected by the Clippers!"
"What?" Ronnie's anger that had just calmed down was ignited again. He suppressed his anger and then asked: "What is the price offered by the Clippers?"
The agent hesitated for a moment, then answered: "45 million for four years, with team options for the next two years!"
"Damn, they did it on purpose. The Clippers must have done it on purpose! This is simply an insult to me. Well, tell them, I won't sign this contract! Don't say it's 85 million for five years, it's 90 million for five years. , I won’t sign it either!” Ronnie’s anger completely burst out.
"Ronnie, calm down. You have to understand that you are now a restricted free agent. Even if you do not accept the Clippers' offer, according to the rules, after October 1, the qualifying offer will take effect. You can only Continue to play for the Clippers. Unless they voluntarily withdraw the qualifying offer, this is equivalent to giving up your signing rights and making you a completely free agent. But they will never do this." The agent continued to advise.
"Damn it! It's so abominable! I won't stay with the Clippers any longer. You go contact me with other teams and see if anyone among them is willing to give me an offer. I want to leave the Clippers!" Ronnie Said fiercely.
"I think there should be teams interested in you, but they probably won't offer a big contract." The agent said.
"I don't care, even if I lose some money, I will leave. In short, I don't want to stay with the Clippers anymore!" Ronnie said decisively.
…
According to NBA rules, if a player who has just completed his four-year rookie contract wants to become a restricted free agent, his parent team needs to make a qualifying offer before June 30 in order to obtain the player's priority matching rights. If this qualifying offer is not made, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent. If the parent team withdraws the qualifying offer, the player will also become a free agent. The amount quoted for qualifications is 125% of the previous year's contract, or the base salary plus 200,000, whichever is higher.
After the home team makes an offer, the player becomes a restricted free agent. At this time, he can negotiate a contract extension with his home team. Other teams can also give him an invitation offer, and the home team has the right to match any invitation offer.
If no team issues an invitation offer to the player and the parent team does not reach a new contract with the player, the previous qualifying offer will take effect on October 1. The qualifying offer is a one-year contract. When a player signs the contract with the qualifying offer, he is still a restricted free agent. Until March 1 of the following year, other teams can still make offers for him. The team still has the right to match.
After March 1, players become completely free agents in the true sense. After the season is over and the players fulfill their qualifying offer contracts, they can sign with any team without restrictions.
If the player never accepts any offer, including the qualifying offer, then one year later, the parent team can re-provide him with a qualifying offer, and the player will still be a restricted free agent. In other words, if a player does not get a big contract but does not want to accept the qualifying offer, he will always be a restricted free agent, and his home team will always have priority in matching.
…
Clippers meeting room.
"The general manager of the Nuggets has contacted me. They want to get Ronnie. They want to offer Ronnie an invitation contract, but they are worried about it. We will match the offer. So they asked me to talk about it." Johnson said .
"How much are the Nuggets willing to spend?" Dai Li asked.
"60 million in four years, an average of 15 million a year. With our salary space, we can match this number. We are still some distance from the luxury tax threshold." Johnson replied.
Li Dai frowned and thought for a while, then asked: "What I want to know is, if we match other teams' offers, can we still trade Ronnie?"
"Yes, but you need to get Ronnie's permission." Johnson replied.
"I think Calabi, the Nuggets' shot-blocking king, is very good. He is tall, long-armed, has good jumping ability, and has outstanding shot-blocking ability. He is one of the best penalty area defenders in the league. Although he is not strong enough, he is His footsteps are very flexible and he can switch defenders. His technical characteristics are very suitable for the current small ball playing style." Li Dai said.
"You are describing Calabi five years ago, right?" Johnson shook his head and continued: "He is already 35 years old. Now he is only tall and long arms. He can no longer jump and his steps are not that flexible. And he has been injured frequently in the past few years. In the last three seasons, he has not been able to stay healthy in any of the seasons. Now he is more about finishing the last two years of his pension contract."
"In other words, the current Calabi contract is considered a garbage contract? Then let the Nuggets use a draft pick for next year! With a draft pick, you can deal with a garbage contract and get a real-time combat power. , I guess the Nuggets will agree." Li Dai said.
"I know what you are thinking. You want to match the Nuggets' offer and then trade Ronnie to the Nuggets to earn a draft pick, right?" Johnson asked.
Dai Li nodded, but Johnson shook his head: "This idea of yours is not allowed by the league. According to the league's rules on trade veto power, by matching the restricted free agents left in the contract, the team If he is to be traded within that season, the player's consent must be obtained, and the destination of the trade must not be the team that previously signed with the player. In other words, if the Nuggets make an offer to Ronnie, we will match it , Ronnie will have the right to veto the trade next season, and even if Ronnie agrees to the trade, he cannot be traded to the Nuggets. So your idea will not work."
"So that's it." Dai Li thought for a few seconds, with a smile like an old fox on his face: "Since we can't trade with the Nuggets directly, we can find a third party for help!
…
"Ronnie, I just received a contract invitation from the Kings, worth 60 million over four years." The agent said excitedly.
"Only 60 million for four years!" Ronnie looked very dissatisfied.
60 million for four years, an average of 15 million a year, which is far worse than the maximum salary he requested before.
"But the guaranteed part is only 52 million." The agent continued.
"What? You need to subtract 8 million?" Ronnie looked even more dissatisfied. He shook his head and said, "I won't sign!"
"Ronnie, we should consider the King's offer. It is estimated that this is the highest invitation contract we can receive so far." The agent then advised: "If you don't accept it, then we can only wait until October. The qualification quotation takes effect on the 1st.”
"Then wait until the qualifying offer takes effect. Anyway, other teams can still offer me invitation contracts before March 1 next year!" Ronnie said with an unconvinced look.
"By then, do you think other teams will still have salary space?" the agent asked.
"I can endure one year with the Clippers, and when next year I become a completely free agent, I will get a maximum salary!" Ronnie said confidently.
"The premise is that next season, the Clippers will give you enough opportunities." The agent sighed, and then said: "Last season, you were the core of the Clippers, and your data also improved greatly, but next season This season, if the Clippers knew you would leave, would they still make you the core of the team? Will they continue to give you so much ball rights and firing rights?"
"This..." Ronnie knew that what the agent said was the truth. If he doesn't get enough ball rights and unlimited firing rights, it's simply impossible to produce such high statistics, and asking for a maximum salary is even more impossible.
"Ronnie, you are still young and have plenty of opportunities. Why don't we agree to the King's offer first? When you get your next contract, I plan to help you get the maximum salary!"
…
After a restricted free agent receives an offer from another team, the home team has three days to look at it and consider whether to match it.
However, the day after Ronny accepted the Kings contract, the Clippers matched the offer.
"Ronnie, the Clippers match the King's offer," the agent said.
"So, I will stay with the Clippers for the next four years? No, I ask for a trade, I don't want to play for the Clippers! They are a bunch of liars, a bunch of bastards who don't keep their word! Even if they give me 60 million, I I don’t want to stay with the Clippers either!” Ronnie had an expression of resistance on his face.
"It's not 60 million, but 52 million." The agent sighed and continued: "According to league rules, the Clippers need to match the guaranteed part of the contract, which is 52 million!"
"Assholes, those bastards! They took another 8 million from me. I won't sign this contract!" Ronnie shouted.
"Ronnie, there is only one person in the history of the NBA who chose to go back on his word after his home team matched the offer. In the end, he lost his foothold in the NBA. Fortunately, he is a Rockets player, so he can go to the Chinese Basketball League. The league will never allow such a thing to happen. The signing and quotation processes are flawless. If the players do not abide by the league rules, the restricted player market will become a mess. You don’t want to fight with the NBA. Enemy?"
"But I just don't want to stay with the Clippers! Let's go and tell the Clippers to trade me!" Ronnie said.
…
The next day, the agent came to Ronnie's house again.
"The Clippers have agreed to trade you to another team. However, as a matched player, you have the right to veto the transaction for one season, so the Clippers need your trade authorization. In addition, they also told me that they can currently There aren’t many options to trade with,” the broker said.
"No matter where you go, just don't stay in the Clippers!" Ronnie signed the transaction authorization letter without hesitation.
…
On this day, two pieces of news appeared in the media, both about Ronnie.
First, the Clippers matched the Kings' offer for Ronny, and then traded Ronny to the Nuggets, and the Nuggets paid for veteran Calabi and the following year's first-round pick (top-five protected). and 4 million in cash.
…
"Coach Li, I really didn't expect you to use this method to complete the deal. First, let the Kings give Ronnie an invitation contract with a guarantee of 52 million, and then we will match the offer. You expected that Ronnie didn't want to stay with the Rapids. Ship, he would definitely ask to leave, and then he took advantage of the situation and traded him to the Nuggets, and we got a first-round pick. And doing so was also beneficial to the Nuggets. The Nuggets originally planned to spend 60 million over four years. To get Ronnie's, they only spent $52 million that way," Johnson said.
"That's why the Nuggets are willing to pay us an additional 4 million in cash in this transaction. This is considered as reward for helping them save money." Li Dai said.
"And the Kings, thanks to their help, offered Ronnie an invitation contract." Johnson said.
"The Kings are returning a favor to us. During the previous draft, we helped them with their second-round picks." Li Dai answered.
Johnson suddenly remembered that in the recent draft, the Kings took a fancy to a second-round pick, and then exchanged a second-round pick with the Clippers to get that rookie. Because of this incident, the King owed the Clippers a favor, and now, the King has just returned the favor.