warrior godfather

After Butler's trade happened, the whole league was speculating about Zhang Yu's thoughts. Everyone wanted to know, what was his intention after the Warriors successfully defended his title, but he dismantled the core lineup and used the lottery pick to select a rookie who was not strong yet? for.

This is the attention of the championship. The Warriors are now the well-deserved No. [-] team. Their every move has attracted the attention of the entire league.

But the free market is about to start, the league is surging, and various trading rumors and information are also stirring people's nerves.

Howard and the Rockets flirt; Iguodala announced that he would jump out of the contract and test the free market; after the Mavericks got Luol Deng, they launched an offensive against Rondo...

People realize that this year's NBA is different from the past. The teams seem to be stimulated by the Warriors' two consecutive championships, and Butler's departure has given them hope of overthrowing the Warriors, and they have started an arms race.

When other teams are working hard for the championship, the Warriors have not stopped their footsteps.

The Warriors players have already gone on vacation with a happy mood, but Zhang Yu, who has been busy for a season, is still busy with the Warriors' transactions and signings, and has no leisure.

On June 6, the morning when the free market opened, Zhang Yu and Larry Riley sat together to discuss the Warriors' contract renewal and trade.

Zhang Yu took the lead in setting a tone for the Warriors' summer operations:
"Larry, our goal this summer is very clear, that is to maintain the stability of the core lineup. From now on, we will not trade any players, and we will try our best to complete the renewal of the main lineup and core rotation."

"Okay, I understand." Larry Riley nodded, expressing his understanding.

In the past two seasons, the Warriors' offseason operating strategy has always been like this, with stability as the first priority. Butler's trade is already a very rare lineup change.

Zhang Yu exhorted carefully:
"Jimmy's business is over. The next point is to renew the contract. There are many people we want to keep. Clay, Drummond, Tyson, Isiah, and Chandler are all important members of the team. , especially after Jimmy left, the team's striker will usher in major changes, Clay and Drummond will play a more important role, and their contract extension is the top priority."

"I will give priority to contacting the agents of Clay and Drummond..." Larry Riley agreed, "How much contract should I give them?"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said:

"You first have a preliminary understanding of their wishes, there is still a whole summer to talk about, don't worry."

Larry Riley nodded:
"I see, what about Tyson? His agent contacted me a few days ago and wanted to discuss Tyson's contract renewal with me."

"Tyson is not in a hurry to renew his contract. He is 31 years old this year. He definitely wants a big contract for retirement. One year." Zhang Yu said.

"Is the renewal priority of Isiah and Chandler also put aside?" Larry Riley laughed.

Zhang Yu also laughed:
"If you say it like this, it's true. Renewing the contract is very important, but we have plenty of time. Even if they don't negotiate this summer, they are restricted free agents, and they can match the contract according to the situation... Well, you still have to Talk to their agent, but don't worry, this round of contract extensions is over, and the team's roster structure for the next few years will be locked, and it must be done carefully."

Larry Riley laughed:

"Anyway, the team didn't make any trades this summer. At worst, I'll talk to their agent every week. The result won't let you down."

"I hope so. We won two championships, and the value of players will rise accordingly. Jimmy is a good example..." Zhang Yu was not so optimistic, and his tone was a little calm.

Larry Riley said very lightly:
"Even if the contract extension is not particularly smooth, it doesn't matter. Chris, Jamichael, and Kent have made great progress, and it's time for them to play a role."

"They're still a bit behind. If they can keep the core lineup, they still have to keep it..." Zhang Yu shook his head lightly, and then changed the topic, "Is there any problem with Giannis' signing? Has the specific time been confirmed yet?"

"Everything is going well, but there are still some procedures such as medical examinations and long-term visas that need to be processed. We still have to wait for a while, and the contract will be signed in about a week."

"Very good, after the time is confirmed, tell me that I will also attend the signing ceremony of Giannis." Zhang Yu said.

Larry Riley was slightly puzzled:

"It's just a contract, don't take it so seriously, right?"

"Of course it's nothing to sign a contract, but I want to have a good chat with Giannis. This summer is very important to him and cannot be wasted." Zhang Yu explained.

Larry Riley was stunned, and at the same time, he attached more importance to Antetokounmpo in his heart.

There are not many rookies that Zhang Yu attaches so much importance to. Except for the signings of Curry and Butler, this is the first time he has appeared when other rookies signed with the team.

Larry Riley made up his mind to take good care of Antetokounmpo. If he can get Zhang Yu's attention, his future is limitless.

……

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

In an upscale restaurant, Thunder general manager Presti and his boss Clayton Bennett sat opposite each other, talking and laughing.

The Thunder fell to the Western Conference semifinals last season and didn't even touch the floor of the Western Conference Finals, but considering that this is the result achieved after Westbrook, one of the team's dual cores, was injured, it is not satisfactory.

In the draft, the Thunder also had a good harvest. They used the No. 12 pick from the Rockets to select "French Tower" Gobert, and used their No. 28 pick to select the physically talented shooting guard Archie Goodwin. .

Generally speaking, Presti's work is very good. After the Thunder came to Oklahoma, it only took five years for the team to quickly complete the reconstruction and become a strong team that can steadily enter the playoffs. team.

Presti's vicious vision in the draft is also commendable. Almost every high-ranking pick selected by the Thunder has a good development.

In recent years, the Thunder has been one of the best young teams in the league -- if there is no Warriors, don't even need to add this one.

But it's a pity that the light of the Warriors completely covered the Thunder, and Presti's vision was so mediocre compared to Zhang Yu's.

But Presti also has his own difficulties. He seems to be the "godfather" of the Thunder, but many things are beyond his control.

Oklahoma is a small city. Although the sports atmosphere here is very strong, the ball market is not big. The shadow of the luxury tax has been hanging over the Thunder, hindering the development of this team.

If Presti could monopolize the power, he would never let Harden go, but he had to obey Clayton Bennett's order, and he could only watch Harden go away to Houston, and he would be punished for it. On a "stingy" infamy.

Just kidding, the Thunder is not his. If the boss hadn't ordered it, would he care about the pressure of the luxury tax?

As a general manager, he has only one goal, which is to build the best lineup in the league and win one championship after another.

Fortunately, after seeing Harden's outstanding performance in the Rockets, Clayton Bennett seems to have realized his mistake.

This Oklahoma businessman who wanted to bring glory to his hometown did not regard the Thunder as a simple tool for making money. He also wanted to bring a championship trophy to this small town.

Today, on the eve of the opening of the free market, he took the initiative to find Presti.

After the meal, the two chatted for a long time, the topic went around and around, and they returned to the management of the Thunder team.

Clayton Bennett said with a serious expression:

"Sam, last season, you did a great job. This summer, as long as you are looking for players, you can sign them. It doesn't matter even if you pay the luxury tax. I have already made a mistake with James. , I won’t do it a second time...I only have one request, that is, the team must make a breakthrough, at least reach the Western Conference Finals!”

Presti cheered up:
"Don't worry, Clayton, I will find the best players for Kevin and Russell. The Warriors lost Jimmy Butler. Next season is a good opportunity. You will never be disappointed."

Clayton Bennett nodded with satisfaction:
"Very well, let's go!"

……

Los Angeles, California.

Click click.

Clippers general manager Gary Sachs sat at a press conference, smiling and answering questions from reporters in the audience:

"...I am very grateful to Coach DeNagro for his contribution to the team, but there is no doubt that Coach Rivers is the most suitable head coach for the Clippers. With the spirit of pulling out and never giving up, I believe that under the leadership of Coach Rivers, the Clippers will become a truly strong team..."

Beside Sachs, Rivers also looked at the audience with a smile on his face, his face full of pride.

This is the signing ceremony between Rivers and the Clippers. From today, he will officially take charge of the Clippers.

A week ago, the Clippers traded their unprotected 2015 first-round pick to the Celtics in exchange for the right to sign Rivers.

The Clippers originally wanted to bring Rivers and Pierce to Los Angeles together, but the league believed that any deal linking coaches and players was illegal and rejected the Clippers' application.

Even according to the collective bargaining agreement, this cannot even be regarded as a transaction in the strict sense. The draft picks handed over by the Clippers to the Celtics are just compensation, and the Clippers and the Celtics cannot have players traded next season, otherwise it would be a violation. labor agreement.

In order to let Rivers take charge of the team, the Clippers paid a huge price.

But Sachs thinks it's all worth it, because it was Paul's suggestion to let Rivers be the new Clippers coach.

And Sachs himself is very optimistic about Rivers' performance as the Clippers coach. The Celtics' iron blood and tenacity left him a very deep impression. Become a stable and tough team like the Celtics.

The signing ceremony of Rivers went very smoothly, the questions raised by the media were just right, the atmosphere at the press conference was relaxed and harmonious, and Rivers and Sachs laughed frequently.

It seems that everything is indicating that the Clippers will move towards a bright future under the leadership of Rivers.

After the signing ceremony, Sachs took Rivers to the Clippers office for the next three years.

After introducing the furnishings of the office and a few interesting stories, the two sat down and began to discuss the operation of the Clippers in the free market.

Rivers said sternly:

"Gary, it's a pity that Paul can't come to Los Angeles with me. It also disrupted my plan. I need a strong striker. At the same time, I hope you can send some people away. Within the plan... These are some of my ideas, you can take a look."

He took out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Sachs, who looked down at it carefully.

Rivers quietly waited for Sachs to finish watching, his face full of confidence and calmness.

Although he is always called a "chicken soup master", Rivers has been in the league for more than ten years. How could he only pour chicken soup on players? He also has real materials.

After 10 minutes, Sachs initially read Rivers' coaching plan and said in admiration:
"Doug, I feel more and more that letting you coach the Clippers is the most correct choice I made. I seem to have seen the O'Brien Cup beckoning to me."

Rivers laughed, and the arrogance in his voice could not be concealed:
"Of course, I have only one goal here, and that is the championship!"

Sachs also laughed and said:

"Then let us work hard for this common goal!"

"Then the front line..." Rivers reminded.

Sachs smiled slightly:
"The striker you need, I already have a candidate, what do you think... Andre Iguodala?"

……

Florida, Miami.

James was sitting on the sofa in the living room of the mansion with a gloomy face. His agent Rich Paul was sitting opposite him. Besides, there was no third person present. Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere was very depressing.

After a while, Rich Paul said:

"LeBron, that's what Pat Riley means. If you don't have more than five first-round picks and three high-ranking potential rookies, he will never trade you out..."

Paul Rich's voice became smaller and smaller until it disappeared. Opposite him, James' already gloomy expression became even uglier.

"Given him draft picks and rookies, what else can I use to trade stars? How can I compete for the championship?" James said word by word, his voice seemed to be squeezed out of his teeth.

Facing James' cold and stern gaze, Rich Paul trembled in his heart, but he still bite the bullet and said:

"LeBron, you don't have a veto right in your contract. If you really insist on leaving, it's hard to say what will happen in the end..."

James didn't speak, just looked at Rich Paul.

It wasn't until Rich Paul couldn't bear his pressure and closed his mouth that he looked away and stared coldly at the TV directly in front of him.

On the large and clear TV screen is the glorious and grand championship parade of the Warriors.