noveltune Chapter 417 Poaching the Lakers
Chapter 417 Poaching the Lakers
Chapter 417 Poaching the Lakers
At home in Oakland, Bruce carefully analyzed this year's free agents, especially some players who have already been chased by a large number of teams. He looked very carefully!
In this year's free market, because the top players of the previous teams have basically signed long-term contracts with their home team or other teams in the past few seasons, this has gradually reduced the number of big-name free agents since the implementation of the luxury tax!
Like this season, the biggest names are probably Steve Francis, Rashad Lewis and Mike Reed and others!
However, judging from the current lineup of the Warriors, they can basically complete some repairs to the team on the premise of ensuring their main rotation lineup. If they can get some good players, Bruce will definitely not Will shy away from the luxury tax!
"I don't know what kind of surprise West will bring to the Warriors!" Bruce rubbed his temples. Thinking of what West said before, he couldn't help but secretly look forward to it!
Los Angeles!
"Robert, I hope you can seriously consider it!" West smiled and looked at the big pitcher in front of him. In order to get him, West really showed his sincerity.
"Jerry, you know my hunger for a championship!"
West looked at each other, with a gleam in his eyes, and said with a smile: "If I said that the Warriors will be the favorites for the championship this year, what decision would you make?"
West's words couldn't help but make the big man who used to play for the Lakers very excited. He had clearly seen the strength of the Warriors in the previous playoffs.
Especially their strong performance on the front line, which made him extremely excited, and the only thing that made him hesitate was the existence of Barkley.
Since their comeback, the competitive state of Barkley and Jordan was once considered incredible by people as "an old tree blooms new flowers"!
After the end of last season, Barkley relied on his super high efficiency. In less than 20 minutes of playing, he can basically average 12 points, 7 rebounds and 0 blocks per game.
Once Barkley continues to hold the position of the main substitute, I'm afraid the big man will be quite depressed!
As if he knew what the opponent was thinking, Jerry West said very firmly: "This season, if the Warriors win the championship, some veterans of the team will unconditionally choose to retire, even if they have a good competitive state!"
The big man was very moved by West's words. If the situation is true, at least with his age and ability, he will definitely be able to get the playing time he wants and the championship trophy he dreams of in the following seasons!
"Jerry, I need to think about it, you know it's tough!"
After a while, the two just chatted for a while, and West personally sent the big player out of the house!
"I hope you can make a wise decision!" Looking at the tall and straight figure of the other party, West couldn't help showing a trace of expectation in his eyes!
The current lineup of the Warriors, for West, there are not many positions that need to be remodeled.
After deciding to join the Warriors, he has done a very in-depth research on this team!
However, the final research results surprised him!
Among the five positions of the Warriors, except for the position of shooting guard, it seems a bit weak, and the other positions basically have a very satisfactory construction!
Now, after absorbing Ginobili, what West has to do is to find an experienced veteran as soon as possible to speed up Ginobili's growth. , but the guys with high prices are on the attack!
Of course, as Ginobili's mentor, Steve Smith can basically be very competent, but his salary is really not worthy of his current worth. The dollar doesn't care much, but after all, no one is willing to come back with a star-level contract to support such a veteran who is about to retire!
And according to the brief negotiations between the labor and management in 01, the two sides deliberately shortened the previously frozen period of July to a few days more than the first week of July!
With this change, the league can quickly complete the next season's salary cap and a series of tasks, which also gives free agents and the most obvious benefits to the teams!
On July 7th, as the freeze period comes to an end, all teams move!
First of all, the Houston Rockets, who had a good contact with Rashard Lewis before.
Because Lewis was not brought into the team as promised that year, after he became a free agent this season, the Rockets quickly invited him as if they had made up for it!
However, just after they completed a satisfactory meeting with Francis, the Supersonics' 7-year $6000 million contract completely made the Rockets lose their coveted Lewis!
With the Rockets trying to find ways to sign Francis, if they come up with a contract amount higher than that of the Sonics, it will bring great pressure to them.
Furthermore, the Rockets, the league's well-known stingy boss, he certainly doesn't want to see a lot of luxury taxes appear!
On July 7th, as some teams and free agents, or the team's restricted free agents complete the final signing, an exciting summer is coming!
"Jingling!~"
Enjoying the rare and leisurely blues, he was suddenly attracted by the ringtone of the mobile phone in his pocket!
"Hello, Jerry, I've been waiting for your surprise!" Bruce picked up the phone with a smile, and said half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"Hehe, of course, I hope you can come to the arena!"
Hearing West's words, Bruce couldn't help flashing a look of anticipation on his face: "Of course, I'm very happy!"
Rockefeller Center.
"Robert, you have made the most sensible decision!" West personally poured a glass of champagne for Robert Horry, the joy on his face was obvious!
"Jerry, you know my trust in you, I hope we can have an exciting cooperation!" Horry said with a smile with a little regret.
In the previous series of inspections, although Horry also accepted the invitation of the Spurs, but with their current lineup configuration, he is really not that satisfied!
But Popovich's frankness and desire for himself can't help but put Horry in a dilemma!
On the one hand, there is West, who is very likely to win the championship, and he has cooperated very happily before, and on the other hand, he is an exciting champion coach. Two styles and two situations make Horry hesitate. After the period, I finally made up my mind to join the Warriors!
Just as the two were talking about the future operation of the team and the development of the team, Bruce suddenly appeared in the office!
"Oh, God, who did I see?" Bruce looked at the smiling Holly and West with surprise, this surprise was so exciting!
After being joined by Horry, Bruce is very sure that the Warriors will go further in the West!
Horry's reputation as "Mr. Key", coupled with his excellent performance before the Lakers, the Warriors will have a shocking configuration at the forward position while acquiring him!
Dirk Nowitzki, who can't be shaken, Barkley who still has a strong performance on the bench, and now Horry who can play at the center, power forward and small forward respectively, this configuration has reached the point of luxury!
"Mr. Bruce, hello!" Horry stood up and said with a smile!
Bruce took a few steps, shook hands with Horry, and said, "It will be a very exciting thing for the Warriors to have you join us!"
"You praised me!" Huo Li said with a smile on his face, feeling indescribably relieved!
West looked at the two, and couldn't help feeling joyful in his heart: "Gentlemen, shouldn't we complete the last step?"
"Hahaha, of course!!"
In a pleasant atmosphere, the Warriors finally completed their first signing this summer!
In the end, Horry did not continue to fulfill his last year of contract with the Lakers as in his previous life, but re-signed a 6-year $2400 million contract with the Warriors!
After completing the final signing, Bruce and West specially celebrated Horry!
After dinner, Bruce watched Horry disappear at the door of the hotel, and couldn't help feeling a little worried about whether the Lakers were a match!
Bruce never thought of Horry's incident. From here, he suddenly saw the super power of Jerry West!
Judging from the current situation of the Lakers, they still have a great demand for Horry, which can be seen from the use of last season!
Now, Horry was persuaded by West and gave up the contract of up to 530 million US dollars in the last year. This will be a very depressing thing for the Lakers!
Back in the arena, Bruce and West didn't go back to their residence, but discussed again!
"Jerry, with our advantages, will the Lakers match our offer?" Bruce said to West with some concern. He really didn't want the Lakers to bite their teeth and match this contract!
"Hehe, if the Lakers match the contract, this surprise is not a surprise, but depression and regret!" West dispelled Bruce's worries with a smile, and he looked extra confident!
Staples Arena.
"Damn, damn Jerry!!" Jerry Bass walked back and forth in the office with an angry expression on his face, making Kupchak on the side afraid to say a word!
"They actually poached Robert, this is simply an insult to us!!" The more Bass thought about it, the more angry he became. Originally, he had already planned to renew Horry's contract, but now everything is in vain!
"Jerry, this matter about Robert is my responsibility!" Seeing that Bass was about to become more and more angry, Kupchak said hastily.
"Hehe, your responsibility??" Bass was suddenly happy, his eyes were red and he suddenly roared: "The team's affairs have now come to the fore, and damn Jerry West is still poaching corners at this time, he It's obviously revenge on me, damn it!!"
(According to NBA regulations, if a player wants to become a restricted free agent, he must notify the team or the league before July 7st, because of the needs of the novel, I have changed it here, sorry!)
(End of this chapter)