Chapter 460 The Turbulent Trading Market

After all, having worked at the league headquarters, Bob received a lot of inside information. Stern even asked him implicitly whether he wanted to go back to the league headquarters when he was on the phone with him.

Frankly speaking, as the most trusted celebrity around Stern, Bob knew Stern's preferences and habits too well. Asking him what this sentence meant was actually the same as the inside information he had received recently. The league wanted to stop the Supersonics from winning four consecutive championships next season to calm the increasingly loud protests and dissatisfaction of fans across the United States and to bring back the increasingly sluggish NBA ratings across the United States.

Frankly speaking, Bob knew the difficulties that Stern and the league were facing now, and he also understood the reasons why the league did this.

But... how many people could let a professional manager give up a super championship team that he had built himself?

And there are two more important points.

First, Bob thinks that he is a rare kind of person with a good temperament among NBA professional managers. In the past two years with the Supersonics, he has gotten along well with everyone in the team and has a good relationship with them. Whether it is the good old man McMillan, the pillar of the Supersonics Payton, or the new king Lin Dong, Bob has been honest with them.

Now, seeing that a pit dug for these people by the league is right in front of him, Bob is really a bit reluctant to watch these people jump down and protect himself.

At the same time, there is a more important second point.

In the past two years of working with Yang Dong, Bob feels that he has fallen in love with this female boss who is 13 years older than him.

The arrogance and confidence of this oriental woman made him obsessed!

Of course, it can only be a secret love. He knows that Lin Dong's father will go to Seattle whenever he is free, and he almost always lives in Yang Dong's villa. He calls it living with his son, but Yang Dong can acquiesce to her ex-husband living at home. With Bob's intelligence, from the perspective of an observer, he can obviously see that the two are still in love and there is a high probability that they will get back together.

However, you don't have to get what you like. Bob just wants to protect her as much as he can.

So he rejected Stern's proposal to let him return to the headquarters and chose to stay in the Supersonics. As an old friend, Stern obviously understood this and even guessed that Bob would refuse and guessed the reason for his refusal. So he only hinted to Bob in a vague way before. To put it bluntly, it was all tacitly understood.

Seeing the predicament of the Supersonics and the troubles of the goddess, Bob has been thinking about helping the team overcome the current difficulties since he felt all this.

Before the finals started, he had already gone on a business trip to New Jersey. In order to win Kidd and give the Sonics a layer of risk resistance next season, he really went all out.

The current opponents competing for Kidd have long been clear. There are two main ones, one is the Lakers and the other is the Cavaliers.

The conditions that the Sonics can offer are a 4-year, 60 million maximum salary contract. Considering that Kidd has already jumped out of the team and lost the bird rights, this is the highest salary a team can offer him.

In contrast, the Lakers can only give Kidd a 4-year, 55 million contract because of the salary space of Yao Ming and Kobe, as well as their own reinforcement plan. With the Lakers' budget this year, they really can't even take out one more point. Their luxury tax this season has reached the limit of the third tier. If they give Kidd an extra 1 million, I'm afraid that the luxury tax will rise directly from the third tier of 2 times the salary to the fourth tier of 3 times the salary. That is definitely not just a problem of tens of millions more.

As for the Cavaliers, thanks to the fact that Wade and LeBron both executed the 3+1 low-priced rookie contract, and they planned to ruthlessly clear out a group of useless veterans, the Cavaliers' salary space was much more sufficient than that of the Supersonics. They offered Kidd a 4-year, 60 million salary that matched the Supersonics, but in Bob's eyes, the Cavaliers were not qualified to compete with the Supersonics.

Why did Kidd give up his bird rights to join the free market?

It was because he hated the Nets' disappointment, and because the old guy wanted a championship ring. Now, looking at the entire league, is there any team more likely to win the championship next season than the Supersonics?

The basketball god Lin Dong, Sakuragi Hanamichi, who has officially entered the league's top inside line, the extremely cost-effective blue-collar Chandler, Iguodala and Battier, who are double best sixth men, and everyone is at their youngest, most energetic, and in the best state of mind.

As long as Kidd replaces Payton, the championship next season will be easy to win, and no one in the entire league can compete with him!

In addition to salary and future championships, the Sonics also gave Kidd the position of an absolute core point guard.

Let Payton, an absolutely historical point guard, be his substitute, and what's even better is that Kidd and Payton are old friends. They even started practicing together when they were very young. They are good friends for many years. If Payton hadn't been going to the finals, I'm afraid he would have flown directly to Kidd for a meeting.

It can be said that whether it is the team status, the face, or the emotional card, it is almost completely full.

If the Cavaliers gave more money than the Sonics, it would be fine. Everyone has the same price. For a veteran who is eager for a championship, does he still need to choose?

Bob felt that if he were Kidd, Kidd would have agreed as early as when he first came to the door.

But this shrewd and cunning guy kept hanging on to him, wanting to wait and see... What the hell are you waiting for?

On July 1st, seeing that the summer trading market was about to open tomorrow, Kidd still did not give him a clear answer, which finally made Bob a little bit unable to sit still.

A super point guard that three strong teams are competing for will change later.

Last night, he had called Yang Dong and communicated again. On the basis of 60 million in 4 years, an additional 5 million would be added, 65 million in 4 years!

Anyway, the luxury tax threshold is US$0-4.99 million beyond the salary space. With an extra 1.25 million per year, the Sonics are still within the first-tier luxury tax line.

"Hi, Jason, 65 million for four years. This is the most sincerity I can offer. I believe no other team in the league can exceed this offer." Bob said enthusiastically: "Money, honor, Championship, everything..."

It is already past 8 pm at this time, and in four hours, until July 2nd at 12 pm, the trading market will open.

Bob continued to talk. Yesterday, he issued a military order to Yang Dongli. Today, he must deal with Kidd before the trading market opens.

Unexpectedly, Kidd opposite him always just looked at him with a faint smile.

"Hey, brother, you are going in the wrong direction." Kidd said with a smile: "It's only 5 million. If this was what I wanted, I would have taken the initiative to talk to you long ago."

Bob was slightly startled and frowned: "Then what do you want?"

"You can't give me what I want." Kidd said with a smile: "The reason why I keep delaying your decision is because the other team also has a key condition that has not yet been negotiated."

"Have they got what you want now?"

"It's done, so my decision has been made."

"Fuck!" Bob has always considered himself a very gentleman, but when he heard these words at this moment, the aggrieved feeling of being played by Kidd for more than a month finally burst out: " You can't do this to my brother, I've been here with you for more than a month! And you have already decided, why do you ask me to do it?"

"I have indeed been thinking about it, because you are indeed my second choice, but the other party has met all my needs now." Kidd smiled and said: "I called you here just to express my apology in person, as you said "You have been waiting for me here for more than a month, which really makes me feel bad. I'm sorry. If I have a chance, I will make it up to you."

"You're making up for it!" Bob said angrily: "At least, can you let me know clearly? Which team are you going to? What did the other team promise to you?"

"This kind of thing shouldn't be said before the signing is completed..." Kidd picked up the orange juice on the table and took a sip: "But I believe in your character, not to mention there are only four left now. When I’m young...just think of it as a private chat between friends and some advice.”

"I want to go to the Cavaliers, and the condition they agreed to me is to give the Cavaliers a wave of reinforcements. I don't want to bring the two newcomers Wade and LeBron to compete with you," Kidd said with a smile: "The Cavaliers A deal has been reached with the Wizards. As soon as the trade market opens, they will use Ray Allenga's first-round pick next year to exchange for O'Neal."

Bob was startled.

The Cavaliers, with Wade and LeBron, are already one of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference, and now they have to add O'Neal and Kidd?

Oh my god...

But after thinking about it for a moment, Bob felt that this was impossible.

"The salary that O'Neal signed with the Wizards last year was 110 million for five years, the highest salary in the history of the league! Counting you, the two of you alone are already 40 million, and the total salary cap is only 49 million, even if Wade and LeBron get it They are all rookie contracts, but..."

"Yes, the fourth level of luxury tax, and what I can tell you is that the Cavaliers are not even satisfied with this. When they are clearing some veteran contracts, they are even thinking about continuing to strengthen and recruit some on this basis. A strong blue-collar team... The luxury tax the Cavaliers have to pay this year is probably close to 100 million." Kidd said with a smile: "Don't compare with the stingy Nets boss I used to be, this young female boss of the Cavaliers. His courage is even less than that of your Supersonic Boss Yang."

O'Neal + Kidd + LeBron + Wade, still need to strengthen? !

Bob's mouth was so wide open that it was almost impossible to close it.

Isn't this the Olympic team? ! Except that the substitute bench is not that strong...

It is true that O'Neal's reputation in the past two years has not been very good. He is not compatible with Kobe and, in turn, with Tracy McGrady, which makes him seem a bit useless and no longer dominant.

The same problem also exists with LeBron. After all, the Cavaliers were also exposed to various problems last season such as 'incompatibility', 'unreasonable distribution of ball rights' and so on.

But if the teammates of these two inside giants are Kidd... As the only man in the league whose nickname is "Engine", this guy's organizational skills are enough to run any team!

If O'Neal is the outer frame of a supercar with the ultimate in dynamics, and LeBron and Wade are the chassis, suspension, rubber tires and other indispensable components of this supercar, then Kidd is the absolute supercar. 12-cylinder engine!

Without this engine, no matter how good a supercar is, you can't run fast if it is equipped with a naturally aspirated engine. But with Kidd... it will definitely make every part of this supercar work to its maximum effect!

Bob was speechless for a long time.

He finally felt the deep malice from the league towards the Supersonics, and felt what kind of monster the Supersonics will face next season!

"But, but..." Bob thought of a remark that could barely persuade Kidd: "You still have to face Lin Dong! If you go to the Supersonics, you can still win the championship, even more easily, even..."

"Is it necessarily good to be easy?" Kidd said with a smile: "If there is no opponent, what is the point of winning the championship?"

Bob was speechless again.

"Besides, if I go to the Supersonics, people will say, 'Oh, before you came, the Supersonics were the champions, and they won three consecutive championships!' People will say that Lin Dong is the absolute core of this Supersonics, and Jason is just here to curry favor..."

"But if I go to the Cavaliers, people will say, 'Without Kidd, this Cavaliers can't win the championship at all, they don't have tacit understanding', and if I lead the Cavaliers to beat the Supersonics... Hehe, brother, do I need to continue?" Kidd stood up with a smile and patted Bob on the shoulder: "I'm on a flight to Cleveland at 11 o'clock in the evening. Tomorrow, you will see news about the Cavaliers everywhere in the newspapers."

Kidd + O'Neal + Wade + LeBron... Bob's mind is still immersed in this terrible combination and he can't get out of it. He tried to make a final reservation again.

"Payton said he will come tomorrow, why don't we wait overnight?" Bob said anxiously, "You were once best brothers, you practiced together, you..."

"Oh, I forgot to say, don't mention the one-on-one match between me and that guy." Kidd couldn't help but cover his forehead, "Why do you think Payton didn't come before? The finals have been over for so many days..."

"Why?" Bob felt that he had become completely stupid and asked subconsciously.

"Didn't that guy tell you how he challenged me in a one-on-one duel?" Kidd said with a smile, "We did grow up together, we are good friends, and we practiced together, but it is precisely because we practiced together that I never want to play with that guy! I'm really fed up with that guy's trash talk. He actually mocked me for not having anything under me at the age of 16 and cursed me for never finding a girlfriend in my life. Can you believe it?"

Bob opened his mouth wide when he heard it. No wonder Payton kept delaying coming to New Jersey after the finals...

"Thanks to his sad trash talk, I really have never beaten him in a one-on-one duel, but next season..."

Kidd said with a smile, "I will enjoy the pleasure of beating up my old friend. Oh, I have been looking forward to this for a long time!"

Bob finally couldn't say anything to keep him. Some things seemed to have been a foregone conclusion. Stern had reminded him...

Just when he was a little frustrated, he saw Kidd, who had already walked to the door of the hall, turned around and walked back.

Bob thought the other party wanted to change his mind, and suddenly he lifted up his spirits and looked at him expectantly.

But Kidd said, "By the way, I was so busy complaining about my frivolous old friend that I forgot to tell you the most important thing."

"I have watched all your games this season. Frankly speaking, even without Payton, you would still be the champion last season, but this year..."

"Go find a really good point guard. Last season, it was just because the opponent was too weak, not because you didn't need a point guard. Payton's performance has indeed declined too much. I don't want to face a short-handed Supersonics after joining the Cavaliers. It would be meaningless to win!"

Bob smiled bitterly.

Good point guard? There are only a few good point guards in the league, and if the opponent is O'Neal + Kidd + Wade + LeBron and the Cavaliers need to continue to strengthen, what good point guards in the league are qualified to replace Payton and compete with them?

"Would you like to hear my advice?"

"I'd like to hear your advice." Bob knew that the situation was already decided and that retaining him would not change anything, so he gradually calmed down.

"There is a good candidate." Kidd said with a smile: "Nash from the Mavericks, but that depends on what chips you Supersonics can offer."