My 1999

Shangri-La Hotel Presidential Suite.

Xu Liang watched TV while holding a wine glass.

Inside is the scene from the 2002 NBA draft.

Different from the original history, because Xu Liang had communicated with Yao Ming early on behalf of the Warriors, this time he did not stay in Shanghai, but went directly to the New York draft.

Xu Liang seriously doubted that during the 2002 draft, the Rockets might have had private communication with Stern just like him.

Selecting Yao Ming with the No. 1 pick helped the NBA open up the Chinese market.

Otherwise, there is no reason that the Rockets, who have 28 wins, 54 losses and only a 9.4% winning rate, can win the No. 1 pick.

Warriors, Bulls, Grizzlies, Nuggets, which one doesn't have a better chance than the Rockets?

The result was that the rocket was hit.

Rather than saying it was a coincidence, Xu Liang, a guy who made private deals, believed that Alexander, a Jew, had compromised for the sake of his own interests.

It's just that he is lucky, Yao Ming does have the ability to be the number one pick.

It also made him a lot of money.

"Do you want to eat the apple I just cut?"

Qiao Yuhui came over wearing pajamas.

Xu Liang took a piece of it off his fork and put it into his mouth.

Qiao Yu would put the fruit plate on the coffee table next to her, sit down and lean into Xu Liang's arms, watching the TV screen.

"Haven't it started yet?"

"Soon."

Madison Square Garden.

NBA Commissioner David Stern walked to the front desk with everyone watching.

"Good evening, gentlemen and ladies, welcome to the 2002 NBA Draft."

Wow….

Warm applause broke out.

“Let’s look at the first player selected next.”

David Stern opened the note in his hand.

At this time, the TV screen shifted to the small green room.

All players who may be selected in the lottery are staying in it, including Yao Ming.

Everyone looked a little nervous, but most of them were looking forward to it.

Yao Ming knows that there is a high probability that he will be selected, but he will still feel nervous unconsciously when the matter comes.

Not only him, Xu Liang was also keenly aware of the tense body of the woman in his arms.

"Relax, you've got the No. 1 pick, what are you worried about?" Xu Liang said with a smile.

"As long as the dust settles, I can't let go. This opportunity is so crucial for Jianlibao."

After hearing what she said, Xu Liang didn't persuade her any more.

"The first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, selected by the San Francisco Warriors."

Stern paused deliberately.

The anxious family members and players in the audience wanted to beat this old guy who was breathing heavily to death.

"Yao Ming!"

As soon as these two words came out, the draft venue suddenly burst into exclamations.

Yao Ming in the little green room also clenched his fists suddenly, with strong excitement on his face.

"Very good."

Qiao Yuhui excitedly slapped Xu Liang on the thigh.

"This woman, it's not her who's emotionally hurt."

Although he thought so, Xu Liang did not disturb Qiao Yuhui's excitement.

"No, I have to call again and tell you that at such a critical time, no one can fall behind."

Qiao Yuhui stood up and ran into the study in a hurry.

This is the third time she has called today.

Xu Liang saw it and didn't stop him.

Come back and watch TV.

Warriors manager Rick Gordon put a hat with the Warriors logo on Yao Ming's head.

"Yao, now that you have been selected as the first pick in the 2002 draft, this is a highly anticipated position. Do you have anything to say?"

Take over the painting tube from the host.

Yao Ming, wearing a Warriors hat, was full of excitement.

"Thanks to my parents and coaches, and even more to the Warriors for trusting me. I will repay this trust with my performance on the court, thank you."

"Okay, I hope you can succeed in the NBA."

After thanking him, Yao Ming stepped off the stage to reunite with his parents.

Next, the Chicago Bulls selected Jay Williams, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Drew Gooden, the Denver Nuggets selected Mike Dunleavy, and the Rockets, who only got the fifth pick, selected Nick Lowe. Zskitishvili.

Because of the changes in the Warriors, the top five choices have all changed to a certain extent.

Soon the Warriors selected Carlos Boozer with the 24th pick.

Although this guy is a rebel, his strength is not mentioned. He will use it for two years before selling it.

It should be mentioned that the Pistons rejected Danny Fordson plus Antoine Jamison in exchange for Ben Wallace and a first-round draft pick.

Only Ben Wallace was given, no draft picks.

Although Xu Liang felt a little regretful, he agreed.

After all 28 teams have been selected, the second round begins.

The first pick in the second round was the Warriors' No. 30 pick. Historically, they selected an unknown Steve Logan. This time, they followed Xu Liang's instructions and selected Luis Scola.

Turn off the TV.

Xu Liang took out a pen and paper and started writing.

The Warriors have a pretty good roster right now.

Center No. 5, main player Yao Ming, substitutes Eric Dampier and Wang Zhizhi.

For the No. 4 power forward, the Pistons have agreed to their request, and Danny Fordson and Jamison will be exchanged.

The big main force, substitutes Carlos Boozer, Luis Scola, and Troy Murphy.

Xu Liang frowned slightly.

"There's a little too much luxury at the power forward position."

Scola and Murphy are at about the same level, with the latter's rebounding being a bit stronger.

Boozer has good scores and rebounds, but he robs the ball, but he is enough as a substitute.

Moreover, Boozer has a solid foundation, accurate mid-range shooting, and can also play small forward.

Moreover, the Warriors selected him in the first round. With a three-plus-one contract and team options, he will definitely not lose money in four years.

Xu Liang touched his chin, his eyes wandering back and forth between several names.

"I remember that when the Spurs chose Scola, it was because the parent team asked for a high price and the Spurs were unwilling to pay, so they did not join the NBA. In this case, it could delay it for a few years."

Anyway, it has been selected and cannot be run away.

After Boozer was sold, Scola was brought over, and the connection was perfect.

This way the power forward position will be less crowded.

However, two capable substitutes are still a bit of a waste.

"Troy Murphy is 2.11 inches tall and can play both center and power forward positions. He is also a rookie of the Warriors in 2001. He has a 3+1 contract. He is only in his second year. He is more cost-effective and cannot be sold."

Xu Liang set his sights on Eric Dampier.

This guy who averages 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.2 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game has good defensive abilities and is also top-notch in protecting the frame.

He is considered a high-quality blue-collar insider.

In this era when high-quality insiders are scarce, there is definitely no shortage of market for him.

Xu Liang looked left and right, reluctant to let him out.

High-quality inside main players are hard to find, and qualified substitutes are not easy to find either.

"Forget it, let's do this for now."

Compared to the inside line, the outside line is relatively thin.

The No. 3 small forward is the main player Jason Richardson, and the substitute is Chris Bowen, who just transferred from the Spurs.

The No. 2 shooting guard is mainly 'General' Arenas, with Chris Mills as a substitute.

The No. 1 point guard is mainly Billups, with Bob Sura and Dean Oliver as substitutes.

There are thirteen people in total, and two cheap substitutes can be added to make up the fifteen people.

As for salary.

Yao Ming is worth 18 million in four years and $3.86 million in the first year.

Eric Dampier has two years left on his contract, totaling 14.7 million, and his salary next season will be around 7 million.

Wang Zhizhi signed a contract for three years, which is about 800,000 a year.

In fact, if it weren't for Xu Liang, he might not be able to get this salary.

Big Ben signed it for six years, with a total contract price of 42 million and a first-year salary of 4.8 million.

Boozer's salary is US$5 million over four years and US$940,000 in the first year according to the NBA's advanced standards.

Troy Murphy, who was selected with the 14th overall pick in the first round of 2001, has a better contract than Boozer, with $7 million over four years, $1.31 million in the first year, and $1.41 million this year.

Jason Richardson was selected by the Warriors with the fifth overall pick in the first round of 2001. He had a three plus one contract with a total amount of 12 million US dollars, US$2.43 million in the first year and US$2.61 million in the second year.

Chris Bowen also signed a six-year contract after moving to the Warriors. The total contract price is 20 million US dollars, which is just over 3 million a year.

Arenas was a second-round pick selected by the Warriors in 2001. He has a two-year contract with a total price of US$840,000. The first year is US$310,000 and the second year is US$530,000. It is a standard NBA floor contract.

Seeing this, Xu Liang frowned suddenly.

This year is Arenas's contract year. If he doesn't hurry up and sign a new contract, he will be gone next year.

Thinking of this, Xu Liang took out his cell phone and called Rick Gordon.

"BOSS, all the players you value have been selected."

Rick Gordon announced the news.

"I saw it on TV and it was done well."

"BOSS, these are what I should do."

"Hmm...Rick, does Arenas' contract expire next year?"

"Yes."

"Have you discussed a new contract with him?"

"I've been busy with transfer matters recently, so I haven't had time yet." Rick Gordon said quickly.

"Let's talk about it. The contract will be signed for four years."

"Four years?"

Rick Gordon said in surprise.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, BOSS."

Rick Gordon thought to himself, "It seems that Arenas is not taken seriously by the boss."

The contracts he has dealt with in the past few days, except for rookies, are generally for six years, and Billups even signed for eight years.

The longer the contract period, the more attention the team attaches to it.

Although four years is not a short time, it is obviously not as good as six years.

"Also, contact the Chinese Basketball Association and come to Beijing and Shanghai to play two friendly matches."

This is a rare opportunity. Xu Liang must continue to increase the Warriors' influence in China. By then, not only will the Warriors' advertising value be higher, but it will also increase Yao Ming's popularity and promote the sales of Jianlibao, killing two birds with one stone.

"Okay, BOSS."

"That's it, hang up."

"goodbye."

After hanging up the phone, he looked at Arenas' data.

In the 2001-02 season, he played 47 times and started 30 times. In an average of 25 minutes of playing time, he created 10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.2 blocks.

That is the data for general blue-collar workers.

Similar to Bob Sura, Sura's annual salary is $5 million.