The day for Liu Mang to train with Stockton and Karl Malone came again. This time it was very early. Mainly because after the finals, after the time for expiring free agents to contact other managers was opened, there were already several groups

Someone came to see the two of them.

This year, Shuangsha went to Stockton’s hometown of Spokane, Washington, to train at the gymnasium of Spokane Community College.

Spokane Community College is the only university in Spokane, which is the second largest city in Washington state. There are only 170,000 people in the entire city of Spokane and more than 200,000 people in the entire city of Spokane. It is similar to Salt Lake City in that it has a white population.

It accounts for more than 95% of the city, has a developed economy and good public security.

The two old men change places every other year and take their families to each other's hometown for training. This is their habit. They have already settled in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City is probably one of the cities with the highest security in the United States.

Because Salt Lake City is mainly populated by white people, the chance of danger is relatively small, but both of them still go back to their hometown to train for two or three months every summer.

Liu Mang came to Spokane on June 30 and trained with Stockton and Malone for three days. Malone continued to teach Liu Mang some techniques for getting rid of defenses in the mid-range, and how to use Liu Mang's unusual elbows.

To use strength to deal with defensive players, Stockton continued to coach Liu Mang on his passing methods for two days, telling Liu Mang all the tips on the pick-and-roll.

On the afternoon of July 3rd, the last training class was over. Before the three of them took a shower and prepared to leave, Liu Mang suggested that they go for a stroll around the school. After strolling for a while, the three of them came to the playground of Spokane Community College to rest.

I'm leaving later.

Many universities in the United States only have classes for six or seven months a year. Spokane Community College is already on vacation in early June, so there is no congestion. Ma Long and Liu Mang are still very popular.

"Ace, why didn't you call Boozer from your team? Aren't you two nicknamed Little Shuangsha?" Stockton asked.

Liu Mang responded: "Carlos? He went back to Germany. He saved money this year and moved to the North Rhine in West Germany. He came home after the season to help repair the house and take care of his sick daughter."

Liu Mang sometimes feels that people in European and American countries are very magical. Every big man is very strong. He can do anything from cutting down trees, moving bricks and building houses to mending clothes and embroidery needles.

Boozer is really a family man. By being selected in the first round and playing well as Liu Mang's teammate, he has won the favor of some Chinese sponsors. His image is wild enough and he has endorsed some tires.

and a truck, and I was much richer than before. As soon as the season ended with the money, I went back to Germany to take care of my sick daughter.

"Is that so? It's such a pity." Stockton fell silent after saying that.

Ma Long always spoke very little, and he didn't speak for a long time.

Liu Mang struggled for a long time and finally spoke: "John, Carl, will you still play football next season?"

Hearing Liu Mang's words, Stockton and Malone both laughed.

Stockton smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

Stockton didn't answer, but asked a question, leaving Liu Mang not sure how to speak.

Both of them are people with strong self-esteem. Liu Mang arrived in Spokane excitedly, but when it came time to speak, he was a little confused.

Seeing the two people's half-hearted smiles, Liu Mang gritted his teeth and said directly: "John, Carl, come to our team. We have the best lineup and the best team atmosphere. All we need is experience."

leader!"

Stockton seemed to have anticipated the purpose of Liu Mang's visit this time. He smiled and said: "I know, Ace, I will rest for a while. When you come to see me next time when you are free, I think I

I’ve probably thought about it, Karl, what about you?”

What is this answer? Is it agreed? Or is it not agreed?

Liu Mang followed Stockton's gaze and looked at Ma Long, but Ma Long remained silent.

Stockton looked at Ma Long's silence, closed his mouth and sighed, and said to Liu Mang: "Okay, let's go back. Ace, you are very busy in the summer, so go back tomorrow. I will rest for two months.

Try to stay away from basketball for a while and then consider whether to play next season."

Liu Mang could only respond and follow the two of them to the parking lot...

…

…

In the days when Liu Mang went to Spokane, the free market opened, and the salary cap for next season was announced. Due to some factors, the salary cap was a little higher than the original, reaching more than $49.523 million, and the salary was determined.

After the cap, teams that wanted to sign players began to formally negotiate with free agents, and a lot of things happened in the league.

Stephen Jackson, who beat Turkoglu with the Spurs last season and was joined by Malik Rose and others, played an unprecedented calm performance. Under Popovich, he was drafted in 1997 and was

Abandoned and wandering around, Stephen Jackson became humble and hard-working, averaging 12 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2 assists per game. He was very active on both ends of the offense and defense, with comprehensive offensive skills. Although he had the problem of slow pace on the defensive end, he was very

positive.

After the end of this past season, Stephen Jackson's two-year, $1 million contract with the Spurs also expired. Many teams offered Stephen Jackson an olive branch. Finally, when the free market opened on July 1, Stephen Jackson -

Jackson chose the Detroit Pistons, who offered the most money to join and the shortest contract period, and signed a two-year, $5 million contract with player options. Of course, it was a verbal agreement, and the formal signing had to wait until the seven-day free market freeze period.

Only after it is over can it be officially achieved.

Although it is a verbal agreement, the NBA is still a place where credibility is most likely to be important. A verbal agreement is basically equivalent to a contract. There are basically no regrets. If there are exceptions, the reputation will definitely be ruined.

Free market signings are verbal agreements, but the formal trading market does not have this restriction.

On the same day, the Spurs and the 76ers reached a deal. The Spurs gave away the last year of Glenn Robinson's expiring contract and got Derrick Coleman from the 76ers with a partially guaranteed contract of only 1.8 million.

Subsequently, the Spurs announced that Derek Coleman would be waived and Derek Coleman would become a free agent.

When the 76ers acquired Glenn Robinson, it was basically clear that the following season would be ruined. Allen Iverson's surgery would take about seven or eight months to recover. By then, it would already be the middle of the season, so the media

The speculation about the 76ers' trade is that they are following the Raptors' approach last season, allowing Iverson to recuperate from his injury and gain a high draft pick.

The Clippers exploded in the frontcourt and just drafted another center. They once again gave up several former high-ranking rookies, letting go of sugar man Olowokandi and giving up Lamar Odom's parent team.

Under the terms of the contract extension, the two became free agents.

After the Spurs vacated space, they reached a deal with the Lakers and traded Steve Kerr from the Lakers for Robert Horry. Then the Lakers bought out Steve Kerr's contract, and Steve Kerr

He announced his retirement in Los Angeles.

besides……

These were all trivial transactions and signings. On July 4th, Liu Mang had just returned to Atlanta, and the signing that really affected the league came!

…

…

Liu Mang looked at Kwame Brown who was playing with little Jimmy at the training ground and Korver, Rasheed Wallace, and Willie Green, the new teammates who had just joined to undergo physical examinations, and thought.

When I got home in the morning, I received a call from Rahim and heard the news. What was supposed to come had finally come.

Gary Payton, one of the best point guards in the league who averaged 19 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season, announced that he will join the Los Angeles Lakers for a two-year, full mid-level salary of 10.37 million.

The league has gone crazy with the combination of Payton, Kobe and O'Neal. Payton also received a career-high salary of 12.64 million last season. According to the estimates of some team management, such as the Eagles, if they want to sign Payton, it will take at least

A short-term contract worth tens of millions or a long-term contract worth around 8 million is possible.

Payton chose to take a salary cut and join the Lakers to form the Big Three, which shattered everyone's eyes.

After Liu Mang went to Atlanta from Spokane, he came to Phillips Arena and reported to Coach Kruger about hooking up... No, it was the result of inviting Shuangsha to join. Unexpectedly, he received it on the way to Phillips Arena while driving.

This news.

Liu Mang probably understood why Ma Long was silent yesterday.

Maybe Payton had already come to see them first!

Liu Mang is a little regretful, but there is nothing he can do about it. Maybe he will have to compete on the highest stage by then!

Thinking about it, Liu Mang was still a little excited.

It’s just that Liu Mang thinks it’s probably impossible for Stockton to go to the Lakers, so he’ll try again when the time comes!

It's a pity, Liu Mang didn't feel much disappointed. Malone didn't get it, and it didn't matter. The Hawks' power forward position was very deep.

However, Liu Mang still secured a spot for Stockton to sign with the team. Now the Hawks have Liu Mang, Jason Terry, Prince, Korver, Raheem, Barnes, Willie

-Green, Rasheed Wallace, Muhammad, Ratliff, Kevin Willis, Kwame Brown, Boozer, a total of 13 people, and there are two places for reinforcements.

Mainly the point guard's backup, and the veterans who hold the line. If we can get Stockton, both problems will be solved. Just find a backup point guard who can be a substitute when Stockton needs a rest. Liu

Mang just suggested that the team wait for Stockton's decision, and also gave Stockton the call of the Eagles management. As for how to operate, he could only say that it depends on fate. If Stockton wants to retire,

, there is nothing you can do about it. If you join, everyone will work hard to have a chance to join the Lakers.

Liu Mang originally planned to go home after the report, pack his things, and return to China in two days. However, he happened to see several new teammates who were coming to the team to report for their physical examination on July 4th, so he stayed to say hello.

.

Rasheed Wallace is very familiar with him. After seeing Liu Mang, they started chatting shoulder to shoulder. He was very excited to express his excitement about playing with Liu Mang and said that he was ready to renew his contract with the Eagles.

Yes, it's still a big salary cut.

There is no other way to cut his salary. Rasheed Wallace's salary next season will be as high as more than 16.7 million. When the Eagles traded for Kwame Brown, they traded out all the mid-level terms before acquiring Kwame Brown.

Now, the salary has reached more than 54.6 million yuan, with only a two-year special case of 3.5 million yuan in two years.

And Rasheed Wallace's own market is very bad. The Trail Blazers couldn't sell him in previous fire sales. This contract extension and salary reduction are inevitable.

Two American rookies, Jay Chou and Willie Green, are standard American college students. They are very good at making things happen. When they saw Rasheed Wallace and Liu Mang, they ran up to help them with their bags.

As for Kwame Brown, Liu Mang has a very special feeling. There is no longer the feeling of being shrouded in dark clouds when they played against each other in the past two seasons. Everyone smiles silly when he sees it...

Liu Mang could probably understand Kwame Brown's mood when it came to Kwame Brown, who always smiled like a fool when nothing happened, but the others looked horrified and panicked.

The four new teammates completed the physical examination after warming up, passed the team doctor's examination and physical examination, and then played with little Jimmy, who often came to the team's training ground to practice after the holidays.

Rasheed Wallace played for a while and was ready to leave. He also had to look for a house. The Eagles promised him that they would not trade him again in the first season, which calmed his uneasiness about being traded.
To be continued...