The rest is just noise

Everyone is not a fool. Louis proposed this because he wanted to solve the space expansion problem caused by Ewing's terrifying contract.

Although the salary cap is linked to the league's total revenue, Ewing's contract is too big. In the next one or two years, he will occupy 60-70% of the team's space.

The Knicks won the No. 1 pick again this year, and the contract will definitely not be smaller by then. If you don't find a solution, signing the contract will be troublesome.

What Weltman hates most right now is the Knicks and Louis. The No. 1 pick in their hands originally belonged to the Cavaliers.

If there wasn't that damn deal, why would they need to negotiate with the 76ers now?

"Only good for our family?" Louis' smile was friendly and gentle, "Harry, where do you start with this?"

Weltman said with reason: "You are the only one who encounters similar problems, because you rely on your own market and income to offer big contracts at will, especially Patrick Ewing's terrible contract. Since you do

If you do something like this, you should bear the consequences yourself, instead of asking the alliance to set new rules to make it easier for you!"

"It's really a pity that you think this way. If our proposal is not passed, I hope you will never encounter this problem. But you said that this proposal will only benefit our family. This is something I cannot agree with."

Louis had anticipated the various reactions after putting forward this proposal.

Now he responded with a relaxed expression: "In the past few days, at least half of the people here have called the general manager's office of the Philadelphia 76ers. Because Philadelphia is preparing to sell its draft picks, why don't they keep it for themselves?

?Because they have the same problem, the limited salary cap space prevents them from signing a No. 2 pick."

"Isn't that right, Coach Road?" Stu Inman said, "Philadelphia sold the draft pick because of their financial situation."

"Their financial situation is indeed problematic, but it is also true that their salary space is not enough to sign a second overall pick."

"So, how can this be said to benefit our family alone?"

"Any club may encounter this problem." Louis brought the topic back, "If some talented players cannot enter the league in time because of this problem, it will be a loss for the entire league."

"Besides, I haven't finished my proposal yet."

"I just stated the content of this proposal, but I did not say what price the team that activates this proposal would have to pay."

Stern was not averse to Louis' proposal.

"Lu, can you tell me the rest?"

"certainly."

Louis told the rest.

"Since this is a supplementary clause, there is a price to pay for activating it. All clubs that exceed the salary cap and sign rookie contracts with players must pay corresponding fines. The amount of the fine is 1.5 times the total amount exceeded. The amount of this money

20% will be used as the league’s funds, and the remaining 80% will be equally distributed to each club as compensation.”

After Louis finished speaking, he glanced at everyone like a leader.

"That's what our second proposal is all about."

Stern once again asked the representatives of each team to start a discussion. The opinions were still inconsistent, but the number of people supporting Louis grew from scratch.

Finally, they started voting.

Since there is compensation, they don't care what it means to let the Knicks sign rookies beyond the salary cap.

Louis' second proposal was passed on the spot after a vote on the spot, with a vote of 18 to 4, with 2 abstentions.

Jerry West of the Lakers made a proposal that Louis thought made sense.

Increase the number of registered personnel for each team from 12 to 13 to ensure that teams have more options when they encounter a wave of injuries.

This is still an issue that needs to be communicated with the players union.

Don't think that adding someone to the roster is easy.

If the additional person requires additional money, and it is not included in the salary cap, the union will naturally accept it. If it is included in the salary cap, and the salary cap shared by the original 12 people is changed to 13 people

, there will be different opinions.

What's left is just a marginal person, and it doesn't cost much.

Overall, the NBA annual meeting is still mostly waffling.

It is almost impossible for a general manager to propose a rule with loopholes that can be exploited and then be unanimously adopted.

This was something Auerbach often did back then. In order to get his proposal passed, Auerbach would choose to mention it when the meeting was about to end, because at that time everyone's attention was no longer on the meeting.

After the annual meeting, Auerbach took the initiative to find Louis.

"I thought you didn't want to talk to me." Louis teased.

"What do you mean by that?" Auerbach asked.

"It means literally. This is my advice, not a suggestion. Please think carefully about what to do." Louis didn't want to reveal too much.

Auerbach is obviously interested in Bias, and he will find a way to get the top three picks.

Now Louis is basically sure that Bias is the person he thought of.

In his impression, the poisonous dog who tried to kill him was the key figure in the Celtics' transformation from prosperity to decline.

Louis would like to see Celtic decline, but not in this form.

After all, he made his debut in Boston. He has many friends there, and Auerbach has helped him. He will definitely remind him of this kind of thing.

What Auerbach didn't understand the most was Louis's attitude that there was something wrong with Bias.

Anyone else would have sneered at him, but Louis was different.

He didn't believe Louis would lie to him, and Louis had no reason to lie to him. The Knicks had the first pick, and they could pick whoever they wanted.

What Auerbach didn't understand was that Bias showed no signs of being unable to play. He was tall and strong enough and had a Celtic temperament. When playing on the court, he was a bit reckless and liked to anger his opponents.

Auerbach has known Bias since he was a freshman.

Last year, Bias, who was preparing to participate in the draft, was persuaded to come back by Auerbach. He hoped that Bias would have one more year of experience in the NCAA and give the Celtics some time to prepare.

Auerbach viewed Bias as Bird's perfect successor. He would be Bird's toy, an elite athlete who could play two forward positions, a super competitive asshole who could support the Celtics on the bench.

A man-made offense, a rebounder who can stand up to monsters like Barkley, and frequent alley-oops in games, he will definitely compete with Sampson to see who has more dunks.

He is a perfect substitute for Sampson and Bird.

Auerbach just couldn't figure out what Louis was implying.

"You'd better tell me everything you know!"

"Reed, I have no obligation to tell you. I shouldn't even say that to you." Louis did not give up his principles, "I have given you advice, it is up to you what you do."

Auerbach was unable to extract more information from Louis.

Louis immediately joined the gathering of several other general managers.

They were talking about the 76ers selling the No. 2 pick because the Knicks had never shown interest, so when Louis came in, they viewed him as just another outsider.

"I heard that the Celtics put the eighth pick and John Long in the bargaining chip to trade with Philadelphia for the second pick."

Sacramento Kings executive Joe Axelson joked: "I really don't understand why they would do that. This year's hot rookies don't look attractive and are not on the same level as Patrick."

Louis was very pleased that they thought so highly of Ewing.

If they were to ask Louis, Louis might say that Ewing is not as good as Doherty at this stage.

The purpose of what he said was naturally to be modest. Specifically, he hoped that one of them would speak loudly and spread his words, so that when Ewing meets Doherty next season, he will try his best to defeat the opponent.

Proving how wrong Louis was.

"Lou, I think you should be the most troubled person." Pistons coach Chuck Daly joked, "There are at least five potential No. 1 picks."

"Actually there are only three." Louis said, "And we have already reached a conclusion internally."

"Is it convenient to disclose it?"

"No, this is the biggest suspense before the draft."

A large number of people guessed that the Knicks would choose Doherty, a small number of people guessed Bias, and only Daley guessed correctly.

Regardless of whether the answers they guessed were right or wrong, Louis always maintained a sense of mystery, listened carefully, and collected as much information as possible.

Not to mention, these idle general managers are absolute gossips when it comes to criticizing others.

Everyone has their own channels and sources of information, and it’s hard to tell whether the truth or lies are mixed together.

Some are definitely fake.

For example, Akerson said that the Trail Blazers added Xavier McDaniel in the trade.

This is nonsense. In one season, McDaniel has established a reputation similar to Oakley. Jordan and Drexler need a thug around them. This person is definitely one of Portland's not-for-sale items.

Louie could spot obvious fake news like this on the spot.

Other news is much more interesting.

The Trail Blazers' offer, the Bulls' offer, the Cavaliers' offer.

Especially the Cavaliers' offer.

Clippers assistant general manager Carl Scheer said: "Roy Hinson has injury concerns, but he played all 82 games last season, which is a perfect cover, I think, Cleveland

He will definitely be included in the trade, he is a very attractive player."

"Roy is at risk of injury?" Louis asked, "Is it his knee?"

"It's not clear, but it's true. People in Cleveland don't believe in his future. Instead of waiting for him to rot, it's better to trade him when he's most valuable."

As the news spread through the general manager's mouth, Louis believed the Sixers would hear it too.

Will they take it to heart?

Louis continued to wander around them, wearing only his ears and nothing else.