Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 425 - 141: Indifferent Treatment, Blasting Jordan (5000-word - , begging for subscriptions and monthly tickets!)_2
The Messiah wouldn’t be so heartless, I think he will definitely continue to stand on my side."
Stevens frowned and said, "Ron, I must remind you... next season, you guys are poised for a three-peat."
Artest scoffed, "So what about a three-peat? Back in the day, didn’t the Chicago Bulls have to wait for Scottie Pippen’s return? Since the Warriors don’t see my importance, what’s wrong with me being stubborn once?"
Stevens pondered, "I think we should discuss with the Messiah before making a decision..."
Upon hearing this, Artest suddenly erupted, "You are my agent, not his agent!"
After calming down a bit, Artest said, "I can give the Warriors management one last chance, but if their attitude towards me remains so indifferent...
No matter who tries to persuade me, I’ll wait until the regular season starts before undergoing surgery!"
In late July, at Artest’s request, Stevens contacted the Warriors management again.
Then...
Artest and Stevens received the following response from President Lowell: "I’ve already said, your contract still has a long time to run, it’s not yet time to discuss renewal."
President’s Office.
Looking at Lowell, who was unwilling to give Artest any verbal promise, Mulin repeatedly reminded, "You should know, the Messiah has already said he would stand by Ron."
Seeing this, Lowell shrugged his shoulders, "Chris, didn’t we divide our responsibilities early on? You take care of team building, I handle player renewals.
When Ron’s contract expires, he will be a nearly thirty-year-old veteran, I cannot risk offering him a high-paying long-term deal."
Then, Lowell added, "Chris, the Messiah clause is about to be released. I think you should know...
If we plan to keep all the championship players, once the renewal with the Messiah is completed, how dire our salary cap situation will become then!"
Seeing this, Mulin let out a long sigh.
This is a very simple math problem.
If, under the provision of a super-max salary to Qin Yue, the Warriors attempt to retain all championship players, their future total team salary...
Will surely exceed 80 million US Dollars.
Although, given the Warriors’ revenue in recent years, they aren’t unable to afford the penalties brought by luxury tax.
But in Lowell’s eyes, given that team owner Chris Cohan has already decided to sell the team...
The money that can be saved should, of course, be saved.
At present, the Warriors’ salary cap is still healthy.
The team’s market value is also rapidly growing.
At the latest, by the end of the 08/09 season, the Warriors’ market value will be second only to the New York Knicks.
That will be the highest point the Warriors’ market value can reach in recent years.
Therefore...
If Cohan intends to sell the team at its market value peak, considering Cohan will need at least one to two years to haggle with the other party...
In Lowell’s view, the Warriors see no need to waste money on players like Artest and Davis, who by then are destined to have passed their peak.
"Have you thought about, if our lineup cannot match the Messiah’s ambitions, it might affect our future renewal with the Messiah?" Mulin reminded.
Lowell nodded and said, "Chris... aren’t we discussing whether to sign Grant Hill?"
This summer, Hill will become a free agent, and he has become a hot commodity in the market.
Despite Hill’s injury history and the fact he is about to turn 35, causing many to doubt if there is still fuel left in his tank.
But given that Hill currently only wants to join a championship-contending team and only wants a veteran minimum contract...
In other words, in the face of Hill’s very low asking price, those issues that would have made people shy away from him are no longer issues.
Much like how Westbrook earning 40 million dollars is "a burden", but willing to take the minimum, Westbrook becomes a perfect championship piece. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
In the NBA, the cost-effectiveness of a championship piece always outweighs their ability.
And as the past two years’ NBA champions, among Hill’s many potential suitors, the Warriors’ attraction far surpasses other teams.
In Lowell’s view, this will be a highly cost-effective signing.
The Warriors only need to offer a guaranteed veteran minimum contract to easily sign a player who played 65 games for the Magic last season, averaging nearly 15 points per game.
"So... have you already prepared not to renew with Ron and Barang?" Mulin, seeing Lowell’s inclination towards cost-effectiveness, asked curiously.
Upon hearing this, Lowell nodded, "Chris, as long as we have the Messiah, we will never lack championship pieces eager for a title."
At that moment, Mulin did not deny Lowell’s team-building approach.
But in Mulin’s view...
Lowell obviously underestimated Artest and Davis’ importance to this Warriors team.
On the 27th.
The Warriors officially completed signing veteran Hill.
Upon seeing this news, Qin Yue, who was trying to recruit Gary Payton to become his personal trainer at the time, immediately felt that the Warriors had made a good deal.
Although the Warriors Team Doctor could not guarantee Hill’s health issue like the Phoenix repair shop.
But considering Hill’s late career was primarily focused on playing without the ball, as long as the Warriors can strictly control Hill’s playing time...
In Qin Yue’s eyes, Hill would absolutely become a significant aid to him on the court.
Moreover...
As a gentleman on the court, Hill could also slightly improve the gang-like image left by the Warriors in the past two seasons.
