The Basketball Court Swordsman

Wesley Matthews, lost in the 2009 draft, almost went to Europe and China to pan for gold. After being discovered by Pacers scout Henson Joe, he joined the Pacers and started his NBA career.

Until last season, that is, the 11-12 season, Wesley Matthews, who was undrafted as a substitute for Paul George, has averaged 13.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, and the 3-point shooting percentage is as high as 38.3. %, the defensive end is extremely tough, does not occupy the ball, is the kind of "3D" player that all teams desire.

A draft pick, following the Pacers as a major rotation player, won the NBA championship without bad numbers. There is no doubt that this is an extremely inspirational story. This is one of the most successful undrafted drafts in the history of the league, which also makes Wesley Matthews' worth rising.

The Pacers are willing to give Matthews a two-year $10.5 million contract. You must know that few draft picks in the world can get an annual salary of more than $5 million. Even if most of the undrafted picks can enter the NBA, they are just passing by. It would be nice to stay in the league, let alone a high salary.

But at this moment, the Portland Trail Blazers, who were far in the Western Conference, offered an olive branch to the championship shooting guard. They are willing to give Matthews a five-year long contract, and the contract amount is as high as 35 million US dollars! And they can guarantee Wesley Matthews' main position!

One loses the draft, gets the main guarantee, and can get a five-year long contract. It seems that there is no choice at all. As long as Matthews nods, he can get a contract that most players in the league covet!

However, Matthews asked his manager to turn down the other party, "Tell them I just want to stay in Indianapolis."

What Matthews did moved Henson and the Pacers uniform team very much. In today's utilitarian league, players who only look at human touch and not money are very rare! After all, the word "loyal" has been ruined countless times by countless cases.

Henson has prepared a "thinking trick" until now. The effect is to convince players that there is no need to test the free agent market, and the purpose is to prevent their players from being poached by others. It is known that even a "Flicker Master" like Henson does not dare to face the so-called "loyalty" of the players.

But this time, Henson would not use this technique on Matthews. On the contrary, he came to Matthews's house today, the purpose is to let Matthews embrace the hard-won big contract!

Indeed, if the Pacers can keep Matthews behind, then Henson will reduce a lot of troubles. Matthews was also the main score point for the Pacers on the bench last season. That's a contribution of 13.4 points per game. Without such a point, the impact on the team is obvious.

But Henson knew very well that he could not be so selfish. In addition to winning the championship, the goal of professional players is to take money! If the Trail Blazers' offer is only one or two million higher than the Pacers, Henson will not interfere with Matthews' choice. But the difference between 10.5 million and 35 million cannot be explained by one or two million!

What's more, the Trail Blazers gave Matthews a five-year long contract. For a draft pick, the five-year long contract is even more achievable.

So, there is the sentence Henson just said to Matthews: "Go away, get your big contract! The Blazers’ 5 years of 35 million and the Pacers’ 2 years of 10.5 million are not the same. concept!"

At this time, Matthews and Henson sat on the deck chairs in the yard, enjoying the gentle sunshine of Indianapolis.

Matthews' mother brought Henson a plate of cookies and a cup of coffee, and Henson thanked him very politely. Subsequently, the woman left. She knew that this was a conversation between a man and a man. It's better not to participate by yourself.

"I like it here, Boss. I like the sunshine here, the peace here, the fans here, the teammates here, the coaches here... I like everything here." Matthews squinted. The words Henson said to him suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Listen, Matthews. Before 12 o'clock this morning, you can be outraged, you can be angry, or you can feel deceived. But after 12 o'clock, kid. You have more important things to do, so fight Come on spirit!"

"I like it here too, and the weather today is really wonderful. Come on, Matthews, I'll tell you a story."

"Tell a story?" Matthews smiled. "What kind of story?"

"The story of Bunch Wells, do you know? That infamous Bunch Wells. In the 2006 playoffs, Wells averaged 23.5 points and 12 rebounds per game, shooting 63% from the field, almost The Kings single-handedly sacked the invincible Spurs. Then the King wanted to renew his contract with a five-year $36 million contract, but he refused the King’s high salary. Then? Then no team offered him any more. Contract, so the shrewd Morey won him with a'generous' two-year 5 million contract. This is the story I want to tell, a story of a stupid X who turned 36 million into 5 million."

"I'm not Bunge Wells." Matthews smiled and waved his hand. "Besides, I didn't reject the Blazers because of insufficient salary."

"I know that you work harder, harder, and more like a real professional player than Bunch Wells. I tell you this, not to tell you how **** Bunch Wells is, just to tell you , A wrong assessment of the situation, it is very likely that you will lose a lot! The five-year long contract is a guarantee for you. As long as you sign, the five-year 35 million will not escape your pocket."

"But I enjoy playing here, don't you want me to stay?"

"Of course I think, Matthews. You were brought in by me. You are my confidant, my left and right arms, one of my most valued players. If all other factors are aside, I certainly want you to stay. But also That’s why I can’t be so selfish, Matthews. You are no longer the boy who complained about others when he lost the election. You are a man. A man has to consider more than just enjoying playing basketball. Your family, yours Mother, your future wife and children...Your mother used to work several jobs for you to go to school, but it didn't make you give up 35 million dollars." Henson said, waving his hand, "Forget it, I too Not to mention, the decision is yours. If you are willing to stay, I am of course happy. But if you leave, I will also wish you the same."

After that, the two men did not speak, but just lay on the recliner so quietly, and fell asleep quietly in the gentle sunshine of Indianapolis...

Two days later, Henson was holding his cell phone and saw a revelation released by Wonarovsky.

"Woj: The Blazers will offer Matthews 35 million in 5 years, and the contract is almost complete."

Upon seeing this news, Henson felt mixed. Of course he will not let go of the players he brought in. But seeing a former draft pick and seeing his good friend get a big contract worth $35 million, Henson was very happy again.

Happiness and sadness are intertwined, forming a very wonderful feeling.

From sending off Holiday and Granger last season to leaving Matthews this season, Henson has become more and more able to feel the warmth and coldness of the NBA business league, but he feels that he will never get used to it.

From a team perspective, last year, Holiday and Granger were let go, and the Pacers were traded for an O'Brien Cup. But from a personal emotional point of view, Granger has worked hard for the Pacers for so many years, and Holiday has become the most popular star of the Pacers at the time. It seems a little inappropriate to trade.

So, you can't judge whether this deal is right or wrong, but the angle is different. Last year, Henson considered the problem from the perspective of the team.

It's like now, let Matthews leave, so that the player got a guaranteed long-term contract. But at the same time, it also gave the Pacers a vacancy that can contribute 13.4 points per game. How to evaluate this matter? Still unable to evaluate. Only this time, Henson considered from the perspective of the players...

Putting down the phone, Henson sighed. The NBA is more than just playing basketball. And many things in this alliance are not all black and white.

Although the Matthews have not left Indianapolis, Henson still has the opportunity to say goodbye to this "tough man" in person. However, Henson must also be on the agenda to reinforce the team's second position. This is a very real problem.

Can't watch this 13.4 point vacancy appear, but do nothing? The goals of the Pacers and Henson are more than just a championship trophy!

Even the summer after winning the championship is really not worrying.

Henson stretched, thinking of this year's Eastern Conference semifinals and the tenacious Celtics.

Of course, the most important thing is that I remember the rumors that Ray Allen refused to renew the contract with the Celtics...