warrior godfather

On the second day after the draft, Zhang Yu and Larry Riley said goodbye to Wiggins and Dinwiddie and flew back to Oakland.

On the same day, a media broke the news that according to 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie, Embiid, who underwent stress fracture surgery on his right foot on June 6, will extend his recovery period to 21 months. This means that he is likely to miss the entire rookie season.

This disappointed the fans of the 76ers. Noel, the No. 76 pick that the 6ers traded from the Pelicans last year, was also reimbursed for his rookie season.

Warriors fans are very grateful for this. Before the start of the draft, many fans believed that although Wiggins has the strongest talent, the Warriors already have Leonard in the forward position, and the Warriors should use the No. [-] pick. Peed, to supplement the team's weak center position.

The news of Embiid's season reimbursement made these fans very glad that the Warriors did not select him.

What the Warriors need is an immediate combat power, a rookie who can play an immediate role and help the team compete for the championship, not the cornerstone of the team that needs to be cultivated for a long time like Embiid.

Sure enough, you can always trust Coach Z when it comes to the draft.

But then, Warriors fans began to discuss the upcoming trading market, and debated endlessly.

The contracts of Clay, Green, and Chandler have all expired. Leonard is also eligible to renew his contract early. The three-year contract of the core rotation Parsons has also expired. They will definitely want a big contract. The Warriors are under tremendous pressure to renew their contracts.

Emotionally speaking, Warriors fans don't want to see any player leave the Warriors. They are all heroes of the Warriors' championship and brought victory and joy to the fans.

But rationally speaking, they also know that this is impossible. If all these players are kept, the Warriors will pay a huge luxury tax. Even if they win the championship next season, they will lose money. Zhang Yu is not a philanthropist, and no one is qualified to ask him to do so Do.

So whoever goes and who stays has become a matter of great concern to Warriors fans. People are divided into factions and even attack each other, just to speak for the players they support.

As the days of the opening of the trading market get closer and closer, this debate intensifies, and people are eager to know the answer.

At the same time, there are also undercurrents in the league, and various trading rumors continue to be exposed, but they are just small troubles, and no stars are involved.

Finally, under much anticipation, on July 7, the trading market opened.

And on this day, James announced that he would jump out of the contract and enter the free agent market.

This immediately attracted the attention of the entire league. Many teams were moved by the news, and fans of various teams also discussed James' next home. Everyone knew that it was impossible for him to stay in the Heat.

"Will James return to the Cavaliers?"

"Impossible! When he left the Cavaliers, Gilbert hated him to death. Cavaliers fans burned his jersey. How could he go back. And even if James wants to go back, the Cavaliers don't have to?"

"You're just kidding. Although James didn't win a championship with the Heat, he has made it to the finals three times. As long as he wants to come back, the Cavaliers will definitely not turn him away."

"I don't think he will return to the Cavaliers. He left the Cavaliers just to compete for the championship. Does the Cavaliers have the strength to compete for the championship? Why does he go back?"

"I suggest that James take one step at a time, go directly to the Warriors, turn enemies into friends, and help Curry. He wants to win a few championships and win a few championships!"

Fans discussed very enthusiastically on the Internet, but most of them were ridiculed. James did not win a championship in the Heat, and now he is going to be a deserter, which made many people dislike his behavior.

Only a superstar of James' level can attract so much attention just by jumping out of the contract after the trading market opens.

Just as people's attention was focused on him, other teams' contract renewals and trades were also proceeding in an orderly manner.

……

Oakland, Oracle Centre.

In Zhang Yu's office, Larry Riley sat opposite him and was reporting on the contract renewal:

"I have already communicated with Clay's agent, he wants a maximum salary, Drummond wants a secondary maximum salary of about 1500 million, Kawhi's uncle is difficult to deal with, and he also proposed a maximum salary request, but according to my observation, his attitude is not particularly firm, and Kawhi's efficiency in the playoffs is not good, so we should be able to continue the discussion..."

Zhang Yu listened carefully, with a very focused expression, nodding in response from time to time.

All of this was within his expectations. In his previous life, Clay was not a person who would compromise on contracts and would never cut his salary.

And in this playoffs, he was the Warriors' first scorer when Curry was absent. He averaged 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals in the three rounds of the series. The three shooting percentages were 44.3% and 41.2%. , 87.9%, enough to be among the league's top scorers, there is no problem signing a maximum salary.

Green is still smart enough to know that his performance is largely dependent on Curry, and there is no lion to ask for the same maximum salary as Clay.

In this playoffs, without Curry to attract defense, Green's assists dropped by 3.4 times compared to the regular season. The decline in the playoffs in 34.4 was obvious, and the blue-collar position was very prominent.

As for Leonard's uncle also asking for a maximum salary, it is purely a lion's mouth.

Originally, Leonard was trained as the core of the team in the Spurs to sign the maximum salary, but in the Warriors, he is only the third scorer. The Clippers broke out in G6. The efficiency of singles in the rest of the game was very low. The best offensive method is to catch the ball and make three-pointers. It mainly plays a role on the defensive end. It is impossible to sign a maximum salary.

"Chandler wants a ten-million-level contract, and his attitude is very firm. Tyson rejected our two-year offer of 600 million US dollars. He wants a four-year ten-million-level contract. His agent made it clear Said that this is Tyson's pension contract, there is no room for price reduction, but after this contract expires, you can sign a basic salary to stay in the Warriors..."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu's calm expression finally changed, and his brows frowned slightly.

He was prepared for Parsons' appetite, but Chandler's refusal to renew his contract caught him off guard and asked:
"Tyson wants a ten-million-level pension contract? His state and attendance rate this season are very average, and his performance in the playoffs is also mediocre. How could he open such a big mouth?"

Larry Riley explained:
"His agent means that Tyson is the hero of the team's two consecutive championships, and the team should pay for it. Moreover, his injury last season was just an accident. There is no problem with his state, and he can still perform as he should next season. , the ten million contract is very reasonable."

Zhang Yu said coldly:
"Hehe, Tyson is a blue-collar center who relies on his body to make a living. He is 32 years old this year. If he is given a four-year ten million contract, who knows what kind of physical condition he can maintain at the age of 36? Tell his agent , Tens of millions of contracts can be given, but they can only be signed for two years at most, and the second year can be a player option, and it will be impossible if it is longer."

"Okay, I see, what about Clay and the others?"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said:

"Clay is the most suitable backcourt partner for Stephen. The relationship and chemistry between the two of them are also very good. Most importantly, Clay has proved his scoring ability in the playoffs, and there is still room for further improvement. We must Keep him and give him a max salary of $5 million over five years."

"If we can't keep Tyson, Drummond will be our new defensive core, and his organization is also indispensable. Give him a 5-year contract of 7500 US dollars, set a bonus of 100 million per year, as long as It can be activated when the number of appearances reaches 70."

This is Zhang Yu's previous promise to Green, and he is ready to fulfill it at this time, but he cannot directly increase the contract amount, which will break the team's salary structure.

The most scarce thing in the NBA is always the ability to develop offense. Although Clay can’t hold the ball, he proved in the playoffs that he can develop offense without the ball. Then he is eligible to sign a maximum salary. No one in the Warriors will There is an opinion, and Clay himself typed it out at this time.

But Green is only a blue-collar insider. Even if he can organize and score three points, he is still a blue-collar. It is impossible for Zhang Yu to give him a maximum salary, so he can only make up for it in the form of bonuses.

He is not a small team like the Jazz. After finally cultivating a Gobert, even if the limitations are extremely great, he is reluctant to let go, so he can only stay with tears and a maximum salary.

The ball market in the Bay Area is huge, Zhang Yu has a good vision, and the Warriors are very strong. Here, the blue-collar can only get the contract he deserves.

"Kawhi is very important to us, we must keep him, but with Andrew here, it is a warning to his uncle, continue to talk to him, the highest can only give him a contract like Drummond, 5 years 7500 million."

The mention of Leonard's uncle gave Zhang Yu a headache.

This person is not a fuel-efficient lamp, he is very shrewd, he only considers Leonard's interests in everything, and he is very restless, but Leonard is obedient to him, and Larry Riley still has some dealings with him.

But it doesn't matter if the talk breaks down, Leonard still has a one-year rookie contract bonus, and it won't be too late to talk about it next summer.

Just like what Zhang Yu said to Larry Riley, anyway, the Warriors already have Wiggins, and Leonard's uncle wants to open his mouth to the Lions, so he has to weigh it.

"Let Chandler go, Kawhi and Andrew are enough at the small forward position, there is no need to keep him..." Zhang Yu said casually, and suddenly his eyes lit up, "No, wait! Give Chandler Make a qualifying offer and see if any other teams match."

Larry Riley, who was recording in his notebook, raised his head, his eyes puzzled:
"what?"

"Let's do it like this. There will definitely be other teams who will open it for him. Let's wait and see." Zhang Yu smiled.

"Okay, I see." Larry Riley nodded, made a stroke in the notebook, and continued to record.

Larry Riley didn't know why Zhang Yu did this, but there must be a reason for him.

After recording all Zhang Yu's orders, Larry Riley raised his head again and said:
"Danny and Yi also want a bigger contract, especially Danny, he wants a contract with an annual salary of tens of millions of dollars, and Yi's request is lower, but also 800 million dollars, their agent It's all a rhetoric, that is, as the hero who won the championship, he should sign a bigger contract, and his attitude is very firm..."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu frowned, and said helplessly:
"Then don't talk about it for now, anyway, they still have a one-year contract, let's talk about it next summer."

This is the sequelae of the dynasty. There is a premium for winning the championship. It is justifiable to ask for a big contract. If you want to keep the winning team, you have to pay a high price. Zhang Yu can only postpone the processing. It will depend on the situation at that time.

"What about Chris, Kent, and Jamichael? Their agents have contacted me, how should I reply to them?"

Zhang Yu thought for a while and said:

"There is no need to make an offer for Kent and Jamichael. They were originally used to fill the third team. Someone can replace him at any time. Chris has the ability to play singles, and there is still room for further improvement. Give him a three-year $3 million offer."

Neither Bazemore nor Jamichael Green is in Zhang Yu's future plans, but Middleton is a rare forward scorer in the league. He can be used as a sixth man and must stay.

In this playoffs, he averaged 20.5 minutes per game, 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals. The three shooting percentages were 38.7%, 36.1%, and 85.9%. Although the efficiency is poor, this is just his career. In the second year of his career, he was able to stably absorb part of the ball in the playoffs and score in double figures, which is already commendable.

This is also conducive to the Warriors' contract renewal. If his performance is too good, it will be difficult to negotiate a contract.

Zhang Yu didn't expect Middleton to perform well in the playoffs. As long as he can lead the team to score points during the regular season rotation, when the team suffers an injury, it is enough to start a team.

"What about Spencer's contract? Or a three-year minimum salary?" Larry Riley finally asked.

Wiggins' No. [-] contract is fixed. Bogdanovic is not planning to land in the NBA this year. Only Dinwiddie's contract needs to be confirmed.

"The four-year minimum salary, the last two years of team options." Zhang Yu said.

With Curry around, the Warriors' investment in the position of backup point guard is destined not to be too large, and can only be filled with a basic salary. Zhang Yu only uses Dinwiddie as a temporary worker and does not plan to renew his contract. year.

"Okay, then I'll do it now." Larry Riley looked through the main points recorded in the notebook, and after making sure that there were no omissions, he was about to leave Zhang Yu's office.

"Wait a minute, Larry, pay attention to the centers in the market. Kelly still needs to exercise. If Tyson really wants to leave, we can't be unprepared." Zhang Yu reminded.

Larry Riley, who was about to get up, paused, sat down again, thought for a while, and then said with a smile:

"When you say that, I think of a good center forward..."

Happy New Years Eve to everyone in advance!