Bishop of the Devil

In the Western Conference Finals, the Jazz missed three games because of Stockton. As a result, they were directly beaten by the Rockets in the first three games. Stockton came back in the fourth game, and the Jazz, who were forced to the cliff, fought back. Finally, they were defeated. Won a game...

However, in this G5 game, the Jazz were defeated by the Rockets at their own home court.

In the end, the Rockets 4:1 the Jazz and easily advanced to the finals...

It is conceivable how uncomfortable the Jazz are feeling now. No one in the Jazz could have predicted that they would end the season so hastily.

…

Just as Richard estimated, the Rockets' three veterans really fought back and forth against the Bulls. They fought the Bulls for seven games. If Jordan hadn't scored three goals in a row at the last moment, maybe the Rockets would have really fought this season. Can win the championship!

With the Bulls winning the championship, all games this season are completely over.

Each team is also starting to get busy preparing for the new season.

…

"Clifford, this is a four-year contract. You and your agent should take a look at it first." In the team executive meeting room, Olshey handed Robinson a contract, and Richard was also there. beside.

Naturally, Richard had seen this four-year contract. When Olshey and the others drafted the contract, they specifically consulted Richard.

Four years and about US$13 million, this is the contract offer provided by Olshey to Robinson.

Speaking of which, this offer is definitely a bit low. As the current scoring leader of the Trail Blazers, Robinson is given such a contract when he meets the Bird Rights. It is simply unimaginable in future generations...

But there is no way. Under the current market conditions, Robinson can really only give this number.

Under normal circumstances, in fact, after Robinson finished this season, he never got the chance to renew his contract with the Trail Blazers. He signed a one-year contract with the Suns with an annual salary of 1 million...

After Robinson's agent, Bill Roosevelt, received the contract, his face was livid: "The Blazers are completely insincere, a four-year contract worth 13 million?"

"Many teams have already offered contracts with an annual salary of at least five million US dollars. Do you want to force Clifford to leave Portland?"

It’s no wonder that Roosevelt was so furious. This offer was actually a bit too big for his expectations...

He didn't set his goals too high. He didn't ask for an annual salary of 30 million like Jordan, or an annual salary of tens of millions like Reggie Miller. But you have to give Reggie Miller half the price, right? !

It would be better now, give me 13 million for four years? The average is only about three million U.S. dollars...

The gap with his expectation is really quite big!

"Roosevelt, my old friend, calm down..." Olshey spoke.

"This is a very sincere offer from our Blazers. I know what you said may be true. There is really a team willing to offer Clifford a contract with an annual salary of more than five million US dollars!"

"But you don't know the situation of our Trail Blazers. There are too many new players in the team. Sabonis and Rasheed Wallace will be renewed consecutively next year, as well as the veteran Curry, and the year after that Facing contract extensions for Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal, and Bruce Bowen!"

"You should know that this is the most sincere offer we can make..."

…

"Clifford, let's go for a walk and let them talk first!" Richard said with a smile at Robinson.

After taking Robinson out of the conference room, Olshey's shouts came from the conference room...

If Robinson is here, there are some things he can't say. Richard favors Robinson very much. Olshey is very clear mentally. It's hard for him to belittle Robinson in front of Robinson and Richard, so as to reduce the opponent's attitude towards him. The expected value of the quote.

"Tell me, what's your expected price?" Standing outside the door, Richard asked with a smile.

Richard didn't strike from the side. In his opinion, it's better to talk about this kind of thing straight to the point...

According to Olshey and Roosevelt's chatting style, who knows how much time will be wasted after this contract is negotiated!

Many NBA players' contracts take as long as one or two months to negotiate. This is obviously not a scene that Richard wants to see.

He still has a lot of work on his hands...

Asking this straight to the point, if Robinson's offer is too high, then Richard will have no choice but to give up on him.

According to Roosevelt, Robinson's desired price may be around 25 million for four years, which is really too high!

Of course, the Blazers can afford such a contract now, but what about next year? What about the year after tomorrow? !

Especially in the year after next, the salary system was adjusted and the maximum salary regulations were introduced. If Robinson was given a four-year contract worth 25 million US dollars, it is estimated that the team that Richard had worked so hard to build would lose many players.

Robinson hesitated...

"Coach, why don't you add more..."

"Add a little more, it makes sense..."

Richard rolled his eyes, "A little more? Then I'll give you another three million, 16 million in four years?"

"make a deal!"

What Richard didn't expect was that Robinson immediately agreed to the offer he casually mentioned.

"Huh? Man, are you sure? This is not a big increase. The average increase is only a few hundred thousand dollars a year. Are you sure your agent will be satisfied with this?"

Robinson waved his hand: "After all, this is the contract I signed. It's enough for me to be satisfied..."

"This contract has an average annual salary of four million, which is almost..."

"Besides, I actually don't want to leave the Trail Blazers at all. I feel safe playing here. With Ben and Rasheed, I don't have to bear so much pressure..."

"Besides, I don't want to be the coach's enemy..." Robinson smiled awkwardly.

…

Richard often shouted at the players during team training: "If they are not one of our own, they are the enemy!"

"To be kind to your enemies is to be cruel to yourself!"

Robinson felt that if he "betrayed" the Blazers like this, he might become Richard's enemy.

"Ahem, man, you think too much. Even if you sign a big contract with another team, I won't say anything." Richard said with a wry smile.

"No, coach, just four years and $16 million, because I have a hunch that if I stay with the Trail Blazers, I might have a chance to win the championship!" Robinson said with a smile.

The contract was settled in a few words during the casual chat between the two...

When the two pushed the door back to the conference room, Olshey and Roosevelt were already arguing with each other until they were blushing and neck-deep.

"Okay, guys, stop arguing..."

"For four years and 16 million, I have reached an agreement with Clifford!"

“Happy to work with!”

Richard smiled and said...

Olshey looked confused. What the hell, he and Roosevelt had been arguing for 17 million for four years!

As a result, Roosevelt refused to agree, shouting that Olshey was insulting them...

Good guy, Richard agreed to the four-year offer of US$16 million, but I didn’t agree to the four-year offer of US$17 million? !

Who is insulting whom? !

I think you are making things difficult for me, Orsi!

Roosevelt obviously did not expect this to happen, because before coming to negotiate, he had already agreed with Robinson that the base price was US$20 million over four years, and there would be no negotiation below this amount...

Unexpectedly, Richard took Robinson out to chat for a few words, and the contract was finally negotiated!

And it’s well below their base price!