Chapter 481 The admiral teamed up with the postman

   “Old K, is it true, are you sure you want to leave Phoenix?” The reporter’s tone was very sad.

  Pharaoh said solemnly: “I am indeed in Los Angeles now, and I am ready to leave the Phoenix Suns. It is my helpless move. It is a pity to make this decision, but I have to make this important decision related to my career.”

   “Did you choose to leave, or was it the management?” the reporter asked.

  Pharaoh explained: “This is a two-way choice issue, not a simple one-sided issue between me and the team.

   As far as I know, the new Suns will reduce investment, and the championship will no longer be the team’s goal, which is not in line with my pursuit of the championship. ”

   “Old K, do you want to say something to the fans?” the reporter asked.

  Pharaoh pondered for a while and said: “I hope the fans of the Suns can understand and respect my choice, but I know it’s difficult.

   I had a very successful start to my career with the Suns and it was the Phoenix fans who have been there for me and I am sorry that my departure hurt them. ”

  Wang Tiejun’s response to the trade was forgiven by most Suns fans.

  …

  Philadelphia, the general manager of the Digital team was very helpless. The Lakers and the Suns suddenly reached this deal, but it destroyed his vision, and he couldn’t get a big dream.

   But he thought about it, since the Spurs agreed to trade Da Meng, wouldn’t the Suns also trade Da Meng? Also, David Robinson and the Spurs have a deadlock, is there a chance?

  So, he immediately started contacting David Robinson’s agent Austin.

   At this time, in San Antonio, Popovich’s mind was spinning rapidly, and he keenly caught an opportunity from this sudden burst of trade.

Tim Duncan, a big guy who made him drool, was taken away by the Lakers in the last draft, but now the Lakers threw Duncan to the Suns, the Suns traded K, who in the league doesn’t know the Suns No longer pursuing a championship, is Duncan willing to go to the Suns to mess around?

  The more talented people are, the more intense the pursuit of honor is, because other things, including money and women, are easy for them to get, and only honor is what they want but cannot get easily.

   Taking this opportunity, he will not only get Tim Duncan, but also get David Robinson back.

Last time, the Lakers and David Robinson’s agent Austin were accused of teaming up to dig into the corner of the Spurs, but David Robinson himself was not involved at all, and this was the chance he left in case there was a possibility of a swivel. He didn’t want to stiffen and Robinson’s relationship.

  “ding ding…”

  Miami, Jeff Austin’s cell phone rang suddenly.

   “Hello, this is Jeff Austin.”

   “Hello, Mr. Austin, I’m Billy King, the general manager of the digital team.”

   “Oh, hello, Mr. Kim.”

  Billy King said immediately: “Mr. Austin, I hope the general can come to Philadelphia. We have Iverson on the outside, the lineup is complete, and we only need a super center. As long as he is willing to come, we have the ability to attack the championship…”

   “Philadelphia?”

   Austin held down the microphone and said to David Robinson on the sofa next to him: “David, the digital team is looking for you.”

   “Digital Team?”

David Robinson immediately thought of Iverson. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick, he is a very good defender with very strong offensive ability. If he and Iverson join forces to form the core inside and outside, with the current lineup of the digital team, they can reach the total number of players. Championship level?

   He was a little hesitant, because the digital team did not make the playoffs this past season.

   And if they trade him, what price will the digital team pay?

  Austin watched Robinson and saw his movements, so he released the microphone and said, “Mr. Jin, if you trade David, you will have to pay a lot of money. Can the lineup remain competitive enough?”

“Mr. Austin, the last time I talked to Popovich about the Big Dream trade, the chip was Jerry Stackhouse, he didn’t object, and we have no place for Stackhouse on our current lineup. , trading him won’t affect the lineup,” explained Billy King.

   “Mr. Jin, I’m afraid a Stackhouse can’t exchange for a big dream, right?”

   “I know this, the transaction has not been discussed in detail, but generally there is no problem.”

   “Well, Mr. Kim, I need to think about it with David.”

   “Mr. Austin, please tell David that Philadelphia is not the Spurs or the Suns. Our owner is very generous. For the championship, he is willing to invest heavily in building a championship lineup.”

   Billy King looked very happy after putting down the phone.

   If you can get David Robinson, it’s obviously better than the big dream, two years younger is a big advantage, and Robinson’s contract is smaller.

   But he continued to contact the Suns. After all, Austin didn’t agree to him just now, and the big dream couldn’t give up.

   “Hello, Mr. Billy King, hello.” Little Colangelo said after the call.

   “Mr. Colangelo, let me say it straight, since you gave up the pursuit of the championship…”

Speaking of this, Billy King suddenly said tentatively: “Why don’t we trade Tim Duncan’s signing rights to us? Don’t worry, I can give you Jerry Stackhouse, and he will sell a lot of tickets for the Suns. of.”

  “…”

  Little Colangelo was dumbfounded, he didn’t react for a while, and then after he reacted, he scolded Billykin in his heart for thinking he was stupid?

   He is a professional general manager. He traded out the old K and insisted on getting Tim Duncan back, just to treat him as the core of the Suns’ team. How could he be traded out again? If he did that, he would be dereliction of duty, and he would be a completely unqualified general manager.

   “Sorry, Mr. Kim, what’s the matter with you?” He asked a little unhappily.

   “Oh, that’s it…”

  Billy King immediately understood that the Suns could not trade Duncan, and quickly changed his words: “If you are willing to trade Big Dream, I can trade with Jerry Stackhouse, what do you think?”

   “Plus a first-round pick from Philadelphia in ’98,” Colangelo Jr. said.

   “I need to think again,” Billy King said.

  …

   Austin’s side, after discussing with David Robinson, the latter is still worried that the strength of the digital team is not enough. With him, I am afraid that it will be able to enter the playoffs, and it will be very difficult to get out of the East.

   But Austin said: “David, I can’t go to the Lakers now. I think Philadelphia is a good choice. The ball market there is ten times that of San Antonio, and the owner is willing to invest. Even if the current lineup is not enough, it will be strengthened.”

   “Jeff, I’m not too young, I don’t want to wait for the digital team to slowly build the lineup.” Robinson was still very hesitant.

A team that can’t make it to the playoffs, he really doesn’t have the confidence to lead the team to the finals. The East now has Jordan and O’Neal’s Knicks, as well as several strong teams such as the Pacers, Heat, and Eagles. The competitive environment is no less severe than that of the West.

   “What now? Or, contact Sir?” Austin said.

   “Jazz?”

   As soon as he heard the name, Robinson’s heart skipped a beat.

Jazz, this time they made it to the Western Conference Finals. Although they were eliminated by the Suns 1-4, their strength is really strong. If he joins this team, I believe he can beat the Suns… No, the Suns have disintegrated and will have to deal with them in the future. Yes, it’s the old K’s Lakers.

   Seeing that Robinson had no objection, Austin took out his mobile phone and prepared to contact the Jazz.

   He is not worried that the Jazz will reject David Robinson. Although Campbell is good, he is more than one grade behind David Robinson.

   He is only worried about whether the Jazz have salary space, and whether trading David will be too expensive and destroy the original lineup.

   At this moment, his cell phone suddenly rang, and at first glance, Popovich.

   doesn’t really want to pick it up. He has been scolded by Popovich as a turtle son these days, but he has to pick it up because he has to deal with this guy to let David Robinson leave the Spurs.

   “Hello, Mr. Popovich.”

   “Listen, Austin, let David answer my call, or you’ll never get through to me in the future.” Popovich on the opposite side didn’t have time to delay, and bluntly used threats.

   This time Austin couldn’t stop it, he could only hand over the phone to David Robinson.

  David Robinson took the phone awkwardly and said, “Hey, Greg.”

   Popovich breathed a sigh of relief and said immediately: “David, give me a moment, I’ll find you the best partner, and I’ll get you Tim Duncan.”

  The purpose of his call was to draw a pie for David Robinson first, to hold Robinson back and give him time to find a way to get Duncan.

“what?”

   David Robinson was also excited when he heard Duncan’s name.

With the current lineup of the Spurs, they don’t need to be messed up at all. They can make it to the playoffs. There is no problem in the second round. If Tim Duncan is added, as long as the No. 1 pick is not a parallel importer, the Spurs should have it. Opportunity to hit the Western Conference finals.

   And Duncan is a rookie, the contract will not be very large, the space of the Spurs should be able to accommodate.

   It’s just, how is it possible to get Duncan’s signing rights? The Suns aren’t fools.

   “Greg, the Spurs’ football market is far inferior to the Suns, and the owner is also unwilling to spend more money. Do you think I can really achieve my championship dream in the Spurs?” he asked.

   “But David, the Suns have three championships in five years, why can’t the Spurs have three championships in five years? As long as we get Duncan, we can too.” Popovich said in a firm tone.

   “You let me think about it,” said David Robinson.

   “OK.”

  Popovich knew that it was done and his goal was achieved, but he was afraid of an accident, so he warned: “David, there is still time, don’t rush to make a decision.”

  Los Angeles, Tim Duncan and Banks had just changed hotels when Popovich’s call hit Banks’ cell phone.

   “Hello, Mr. Banks, I’m Popovich, the general manager of the Spurs, and I’d like to have a chat with Tim Duncan, okay?” Popovich said.

  Banks’ impression of Popovich was broken. I’m Tim’s agent. What do you mean by throwing me away? When I am your microphone?

   He said unhappily: “Sorry, Tim, he has rested.”

  Popovich realized something, and quickly remedied: “Actually, I just wanted to greet Ti Deng, and it’s the same as you said.”

   “OK, Mr. Popovich, what’s the matter with you?” Banks asked.

  Popovich really hates these agents, these guys are like a layer of iron, preventing him from directly connecting with players.

   Endured the disgust in his heart, he organized the wording and said: “Mr. Banks, the Spurs are a team with a strong desire to chase the championship…”

   “Stop first.”

  Banks understood as soon as he heard it, interrupted the other party directly, and asked: “You want Tim to go to the Spurs, do you think the Suns will be willing to trade Tim?”

Although he was very unhappy that the Lakers traded Duncan, he did not want Duncan to be traded again and again. It is absolutely ironic that a No. 1 draft pick who was ruined by half of the league’s teams has been traded again and again before he entered the league and has not officially signed a contract. Yes, it will certainly damage Duncan’s business value, and he will not allow this to happen.

   Moreover, going to the Suns is better than going to the Spurs. The Suns are now at least in the second-tier market, but the Spurs are the bottom of the league.

   But he didn’t know that Tim Duncan didn’t want to go to the Suns at all.

   “This bastard!”

  Popovich heard the busy tone on the phone, and was so angry that he had a bad impression of his agent now.

“How to do?”

   He thought for a while, since he couldn’t get in touch with Duncan, he would go see him in person.

   His idea was to find Duncan and convince him to come to the Spurs.

   And the strength of his persuasion to Duncan was David Robinson, who was temporarily fooled by him.

   It’s not that there is no chance. Anyway, there is no other way now. As long as there is a little chance, he will try it. What if he succeeds?

   Once the trade happened, let Tim Duncan refuse to report to the Suns. Such a thing has never happened in the league. I don’t know how the league will react after doing so, but for the Spurs, he wants to try Stern’s bottom line.

   When he wanted to come, as long as Duncan insisted not to go to the Suns, maybe the league would back down?

   He was certain that Stern would not allow a No. 1 overall pick who ruined half of the league’s teams to not make it to the league.

  Try it, you have a chance. If you don’t try, you’ll never have a chance.

  Just, God, can you tell me where Duncan is now?

   At this time, in the hotel, Duncan was about to ask Banks if Popovich, the general manager of the Spurs, was looking for him.

Banks persuaded: “Tim, ignore him, he wants you to go to the Spurs, with an average ticket of only a few dollars, and a team with only 50-60% attendance, can it really win the championship? He just now Saying that the Suns can win the Triple Crown in five years, and the Spurs can do it, I say he has no brains.

   Next, the league is likely to follow the example of Major League Baseball and introduce a luxury tax system. Teams in big markets invest wildly to create luxurious lineups. Teams in small markets have no chance of winning the championship. ”

  Duncan also understood Banks’ attitude, but he said: “Old K left the Suns, there is no strength to compete for the championship, Charles, do you really think I should go to the Suns?”

Banks is embarrassed: “But if the Lakers want to trade you, where do you go if you don’t go to the Suns? Tim, you don’t have the right to choose, the trade happens, your signing rights are in the hands of the Suns, if you don’t sign the Suns, you will Can’t play in the NBA. And now according to media reports, the Suns just have a problem with the owner’s business, not that they don’t want to compete for the championship.

   In addition, you just entered the league, is it too early to talk about the championship? You could have spent a few years with the Suns working out for a championship, wouldn’t it be more sensible? ”

  Duncan shook his head and leaned back on the sofa in frustration, a little at a loss.

   He disagreed with Banks. If he spent a few years in the Suns, maybe he would get used to it. How could he still have the heart of a champion?

   “Tim, you were traded with Da Meng, went to the Suns, and joined forces with him, maybe you have a chance to win the championship.” Banks advised.

  Duncan smiled bitterly and said: “Dameng has a contract of tens of millions and an annual salary of more than 10 million a year. The Suns don’t want to win the championship. Do you think the management will keep him?”

  Banks was stunned, and then added: “Then you don’t have to consider the Spurs. Anyway, going to the Suns is a hundred times better than the Spurs.”

   Duncan didn’t want to go to the Spurs. David Robinson ran away. Why did he go to the Spurs? Defend the city for the Admiral?

   He just doesn’t want to go to the Suns. Old K has three championships in his hands, so he doesn’t want to mess around with the Suns, and he doesn’t even want to.

   But it seems that he can only accept the arrangement of fate and go to the Suns.

  …