The rest is just noise

The negotiations between the Celtics and Manu Ginobili were far from smooth as expected, even though it was a mutually affectionate negotiation.

Louis likes the NBA's current standard rookie contract very much. Regardless of first-round picks or second-round picks, they will all sign a five-year contract of 3+1+1 (the last two years are team options). However, no matter how fragrant the contract is, once it reaches

It won't be fragrant anymore.

The Celtics used up the rookie bonuses of Yao Yue and a half, Gasol and Kirilenko last year.

Now, the combined contracts of these three people, plus other contracts in the team, allow the Celtics to touch the rich line (triggering luxury tax) for the first time in the Louis era. Of course, Louis is not afraid of paying taxes.

However, with the salary expansion, every signing in the future must be cautious. The reason why Ginobili's negotiations did not go smoothly is because the Celtics did not readily sign him to a Kirilenko-level contract.

Maximum salary.

You must know that Kirilenko's contract was signed within the last television broadcast contract. Every time a new television broadcast contract is signed, it means a substantial increase in salary levels.

In other words, a sub-maximum salary at Kirilenko's level is not what Kirilenko signed for now.

As the team’s general manager, Larry Bird’s beard has turned gray these days. Then, Louis also brought the results of Brandon Roy’s expert consultation. “If you want to tell me about a Bijan Bu

Langdon’s indefinite truce is even worse, why don’t you take out the gun in the drawer and kill me!”

Louis looked at him jokingly: "Is there really a gun in the drawer?"

"You won't know until you open it and look at it?"

Then, Louis saw a water gun in the drawer.

"What a pity, this gun can't even scare my dog." Louis really wanted to know that the birdman put a squirt gun in the drawer.

If he was going to use this to defend himself, it would be the most unreasonable choice of the year.

Bird did not continue to talk about the squirt gun and picked up Roy's expert consultation report. The expression on his face became more solemn: "We need to do another minimally invasive surgery on the knee that has been operated on? Is the situation that bad?

?"

Louis smiled bitterly and said: "According to the analysis of many experts, Brandon's surgery in high school was indeed not perfect, and his postoperative rehabilitation was not adequate, so the root cause of the disease was left. Now, the NBA's intense schedule

It seems that a new condition has appeared in this injured old part - however, Dr. James Carter, who has successfully performed minimally invasive surgery on Jason Kidd, believes that Brandon can recover naturally through conservative treatment without surgery.

.”

"It's better not to use the knife!"

Over the years, Bird has heard of too many cases of people dying after minimally invasive surgeries.

"As for conservative treatment..." Bird asked, "how long will it take?"

Louis said: "It could be at least reimbursed for the season, or at most... a year or longer."

Bird hesitated.

Season reimbursement is not terrible, the Celtics can afford to wait.

At most a year or even longer?

The recovery time after going to the operating room for surgery shouldn’t take that long, right?

Bird suddenly ran out of ideas.

"What do you think?" Bird looked at Louis.

Like Bird, Louis didn't want Roy to have surgery.

This is not conservative, but based on current cases, 95% of athletes who have undergone minimally invasive knee surgery never recover.

This technology will take at least ten years to fully mature.

"I need a doctor's advice." Louis said helplessly, "After all, I know nothing except basketball."

Byrd thought, that's all.

This matter really has to be left to professionals to decide.

After a while, Ewing walked into Bird's office humming a tune and asked, "Larry, how are the talks about Manu's contract extension going?"

If the result of Roy's consultation was like a heavy blow from life to the Celtics management, then Ginobili's negotiation was a nightmare that troubled Bird for many days and nights. "What else? There is nothing.

Progress!" Bird said dissatisfiedly, "It is simply impossible to renew Manu's contract for 5 years and 50 million US dollars!"

Ewing was stunned when he heard this: "50 million in five years? This is too little. If it were James Dolan, he would directly give Manu a five-year, $60 million contract!" "That's right..." Louis

He said with a smile, "Then we have to sell everything to raise the $300 million in luxury taxes to pay to the league. Patrick, do you want to experience the joy of killing David Stern with money?"

Ewing felt a chill.

As a witness, Ewing has no desire to review that period of history.

The sky-high luxury tax imposed by Dolan Jr. ruined the promising Knicks team.

This caused Ewing and Kemp to break up later.

Although Ewing put aside his grudge with tears and sincerity during Kemp's jersey retirement speech, they might not have left behind years of estrangement.

Money is really the most hateful thing in the world - since then, Ewing has secretly determined that he will make money that he can't spend all his money.

After all, killing something you hate can only temporarily relieve your anger, but only by completely conquering and possessing it can you gain long-term satisfaction.

After thinking clearly, Ewing could only give Bird a fist bump as encouragement, "Larry, you have to work hard."

Bird shook his head and said: "No, 40 million in five years is completely unfeasible. You must know that this is an era when even Tyson Chandler has someone willing to give him 60 million in five years."

"Let's do this, give Manu a five-year, $60 million contract, but only $50 million is guaranteed. When he is selected for the All-Stars, he will receive another $5 million. When he is selected for the All-NBA Team, he will receive the rest.

The next five million.”

Ewing said cautiously: "Are you sure this will work? That Argentine doesn't look like he won't make the All-Stars..."

Louis rolled his eyes at him, "Look at how cowardly you are, you sold your shares out of fear of losing money!" "What are you talking about! If the salary space explodes by then, you will lose even more money!"

"I have more money, so I can pay whatever I want!"

"You...!!!" Ewing has never been so humble since he learned to speak human language. "Then you also have to consider the interests of other shareholders."

Before Louis could speak, Bird caught his words, "He's right, Manu Ginobili's contract extension is only a small part of the problem. This time next year, what we need to consider is ish, D-ade

, Kyle, Zaza... have renewed their contracts." Putting aside others, Lu Wuxia and Wade will sign an extension contract according to the specifications of Yao Yueban and Gasol. By then, the luxury of 100 million yuan

Taxation is really no longer a dream. "What should we do!!?" Ewing shouted.

Louis got angry when he saw his lackluster appearance, "What's the hurry? There's nothing to be anxious about. Just trade a few players when the time comes."

How many players will be traded?

Louis said it calmly, but to the ears of Bird and Ewing, this was his intention to trade Yao Yueban, Gasol and Kirilenko.

However, if you want to control the salary within a reasonable range, trading is indeed the only option.

But, who will trade?

Louis didn't say it, but both Bird and Ewing remembered it deeply. Ten days later, when Celtics fans rejoiced because Lu Wuxia, Yao Yueban, and Gasol were selected for the All-Stars,

A piece of disappointing news fell like a bolt from the blue.

ESPN exclusive news: Boston Celtics forward Brandon Roy is out for the season due to a knee injury, details to come...