The King of the NBA

Downey talked to Timberwolves president Philip Saunders and mentioned that Ning Yi is only willing to sign a one-year contract, but Downey has one condition, which must be a guaranteed contract with an annual salary of 2.6 million US dollars.

This is definitely a big opening for the Lions. Generally, undrafted picks can only get hundreds of thousands of dollars, but Downey wants 2.6 million. This year's first-round 10th overall rookie CJ McCollum's first-year salary is only 2.32 million US dollars. .

Originally, Downey was also beating drums in his heart, thinking that the other party would not agree.

But in the end, Philip Sanders was very happy, and after a short consideration, he agreed: "Okay, that's it, I can make the decision, just sign a one-year contract with an annual salary of 2.6 million."

After finishing speaking, he said with regret: "It's such a pity. We really appreciate Ning and hope that he can stay in the Timberwolves. The 2+1 contract is our sincerity."

"Sorry." Downey suppressed the ecstasy in his heart, pretended to be regretful, and shifted the responsibility to Ning Yi, "This is what Ning meant, you know, I'm just a manager."

"I understand." Sanders took Downey's hand, like a friend who has known him for many years, "No matter what, I'd rather be a member of our Timberwolves, wouldn't I?"

"Yes." Donnie nodded.

The conversation was very pleasant and harmonious.

Finally, Downey asked Ning Yi, and negotiated with Sanders about the signing time, and the Timberwolves could also arrange a press conference after the signing.

When Downey walked out of Sanders' office, he couldn't hold back the joy in his heart anymore, and giggled silly.

Although this is not a 2+1 contract, nor is it $7 million, but if the average annual salary is calculated, this one-year contract is hundreds of thousands of dollars higher than the original one.

"I thought Samps wouldn't agree, but I didn't expect it to be so happy." Downey said to himself, suddenly feeling a little annoyed, "Oh no, he's so happy, isn't 2.6 million too little?"

It's also my fault that Donnie hasn't seen big money, otherwise, he would definitely report 3 million.

Of course, just thinking about it, Downey still thinks that he won't agree. After all, Ning Yi's identity is still an undrafted pick, and his performance in the preseason games is not very high.

What Downey doesn't know is that even if he wants 3 million, Sanders will think about it, not necessarily agree, but at least he will seriously consider it.

In fact, Sanders originally planned to give Ning Yi a one-year contract with an annual salary of around 2 million.

But when Sanders asked Coach Adelman for his opinion, Adelman made it clear that it is best to give Ning Yi a contract of at least 1+1, which is guaranteed, just like other rookies.

Adelman's original words are: "I think Ning is a very good player. He has excellent shooting ability and running ability. He doesn't occupy much possession of the ball and can provide stable scoring. This is what we need. Moreover, he has made rapid progress and may become a great player in the future. I think we must give him enough attention and respect, and a generous contract can represent our sincerity."

This made Sanders frown, but the coach is only responsible for leading the team, responsible for the record, and the general manager has the final say on trading players and signing players.

In the end, Sanders discussed with the owner of the Timberwolves, and the owner of the Timberwolves decided on a 2+1 contract with a starting salary of 2 million.

Now that the boss has said this, Sanders naturally has nothing to say, just be a favor, and add a little more on the basis of this 2 million, which becomes a total of 7 million US dollars.

But from the bottom of his heart, Sanders still feels a little disadvantaged. Ning Yi's physical fitness is not outstanding, and his skills are also very simple, and there are really no outstanding players in Asia except Yao Ming, even if it is a hype. It also ended badly. He didn't think Ning Yi was worth the price.

In fact, the owner of the Timberwolves team doesn't think Ning Yi is worth the price, but who makes Ning Yi a Chinese, with the cake of the Chinese market behind him?

So, when Downey asked Ning Yi to sign for only one year, Sanders was very happy.

There is no need to be embarrassed now, because it is Ning Yi's own request, so I will give a one-year contract, and the higher the salary, the higher the salary, anyway, it is only one year.

"When this season is over, Ning has nothing to do. At that time, Adelman will know that he was wrong. Well, at that time, the boss will also know that I have saved a lot of money for the team." Sanders was secretly happy, and sent Don After that, he went to the Timberwolves owner.

In fact, Sanders is not an excellent general manager, he has also worked as a head coach, but he is also not an excellent head coach, otherwise the Timberwolves will not always miss the playoffs for a few years.

But there is one thing, he does wholeheartedly for the Timberwolves.

Perhaps it is precisely because of this that over the years, even though Sanders has not done much, his position in the Timberwolves has remained unchanged.

When the owner of the Timberwolves knew that Ning Yi was only willing to sign for one year, he thought a lot, but in the end he didn't say anything, because Ning Yi was so persistent that it was useless to say anything.

And, from the current point of view, signing a one-year contract is indeed a good choice.

Two days later, Ning Yi officially signed a contract with the Timberwolves.

This afternoon, the Timberwolves announced the news on their official website, and then held a press conference the next day to welcome Ning Yi to join.

Ning Yi naturally had to attend the press conference.

At the press conference, it was inevitable to express some thanks, some emotions, and some sighs.

The reporter also asked some questions, and Ning Yi answered selectively. He is not an ordinary twenty-year-old young man. His soul is far more mature than his body, and he knows what to say and what not to say.

On this day, the news that Ning Yi officially signed with the Timberwolves appeared on the homepages of major sports media, and then also appeared on major sports newspapers and magazines.

at the same time.

In Huaxia, countless fans are boiling.

Ning Yi officially signed with the Timberwolves. This is what people have been looking forward to. When this moment comes, a stone in people's hearts finally falls. Starting today, the NBA has another Chinese player.

Countless fans reposted the report of Ning Yi signing with the Timberwolves on their personal media, or uploaded photos of Ning Yi, eager to let everyone around them know.

Some fans started calling out to the Basketball Association to let Ning Yi join the national team.

It's not just one or two people who said this, but many people said so, even if the Basketball Association wants to ignore it. But as early as when Ning Yi participated in the preseason, the Basketball Association noticed him.

The question now is, how to do it?

Of course, Ning Yi is not clear about these things, and he doesn't care about them. The signing is predictable, and he has been psychologically prepared for a long time, so the excitement has also faded.

At this time, he was eating with Ye Qian.

Ye Qian had time today, and Ning Yi also had time, so they happened to have a meal together, which was also a celebration of Ning Yi's signing with the Timberwolves and officially becoming an NBA player.