In the blink of an eye, the curtain of the free market came to an end.
Aldridge joined the Spurs for 84.1 million in 4 years;
Leonard signs a 5-year, $90 million contract extension with the Spurs;
Reggie Jackson re-signs with Pistons for 5 years and 80 million;
Dragic re-signs with Heat for 5 years and 86 million;
Draymond Green re-signs with Warriors for 5 years and 85 million;
Brandon signs a 5-year, $70 million contract extension with the Suns;
…
Compared with Durant joining the Nets, these actions did not cause much waves.
However, Durant joining the Nets will have subsequent consequences.
Because the league received reports from many teams that the Nets had private contact with Durant before the free market opened.
But such reports went nowhere.
Because Durant is under contract before the free market opens, he will only be considered a free agent after he opts out of his contract.
Moreover, the deal between the Nets and Thunder was not reached as soon as the free market opened.
These factors ultimately led the alliance to abandon the investigation...
Of course, even if the truth is slapped on the face, some people will still question it.
Although they may be right to question this time, there is no evidence!
And just before they could calm down, another signing by the Nets once again made fans furious.
David West jumped out of the last year's player option with the Pacers, worth 12 million, and signed a one-year, 3 million contract with the Nets!
Then, this triggered heated discussions among fans, and the Nets were reported again.
This time the league announced an investigation in a high-profile manner.
Because this involves another sensitive word: Yin-Yang contract.
The yin and yang contract between the Timberwolves and Joe Smith was severely punished, which was also the reason why the Timberwolves were unable to recover.
If the Nets really do the same thing, they will face heavy penalties.
Moreover, the alliance’s nominal reasons for investigation are also very sufficient.
Who would give up a 12 million contract and sign a 3 million contract?
Even if it is to compete for the championship, there is a limit.
However, the results of the investigation showed that there is really nothing fishy about it.
Because West is really here to win the championship!
In fact, West had been in contact with the Spurs before this.
But the Nets showed greater sincerity. Walken Dean called West many times to persuade him, and then West was signed.
And not long after West signed, the deal between the Nets and the Lakers was officially announced.
The Nets signed Chandler to a four-year, $52 million contract, and then sent him to the Lakers to get Ariza and Tim.
While other players have not yet been determined, the Nets' main lineup and core rotation for the new season have been basically determined.
: Bradley, Ariza, Durant, Lin Ying, Jokic.
Rotation: JR, Covington, Turner, West, Mahinmi.
Moreover, after the Nets have made these operations, theoretically they still have 11 million salary space to work with, and then there is a mini-middle class.
This is really what the whole league is watching as Walken Dean shows off his skills.
Despite the fact that Walken Dean is having a hard time squatting in the general manager's office, other teams in the league are looking at him with eyes wide open.
This kind of opportunity is hard to come by and cannot be envied.
Just as the free agent market is coming to an end, the Nets' last few signings have been reached one after another.
The biggest one concerns the point guard.
The Nets did not renew the contract of veteran Barbosa, but reached a four-year, 30 million contract with Spurs guard Corey Joseph.
This signing is a bit surprising, because Joseph's performance with the Spurs was not very outstanding, and his three-point shooting was not stable, but his salary is close to Ariza and Bradley's.
However, Joseph has what Warken Dean values, defense and stability. Joseph's defense is above the league level, and his assist-to-turnover ratio is very high.
The Nets already have JR on the bench, so the substitute point guard needs to be relatively stable and reliable.
Of course, another thing that will be overlooked is that Joseph also graduated from the University of Texas!
Warken Dean likes this about the University of Texas players, and they have had a blowout season!
Counting Joseph, Lin Ying, Durant, and Augustin, there are already 4!
Of the last three spots, one was given to Chris Anderson by Walken Dean, one was given to "Old Prince" Prince, and the last one was given to Seth Curry.
Anderson is Karl's favorite inside man, and he has worked conscientiously as the third center for the Nets in the past few years.
Prince's contract with the Knicks has just expired and he is a veteran chasing a championship.
Seth Curry's words were an unexpected signing, because Walken Dean had a tryout at the end and was deeply impressed by Curry's three-point performance.
After the rotation lineup is basically decided, what the bench needs are functional players.
What Lin Ying and Durant need most is someone who can shoot three-pointers.
Moreover, the Nets signed Curry to a two-year, 2 million base salary contract, so the risk is very low. As long as Curry can provide some help at certain specific moments, they will make money.
In this way, Walken Dean quickly cut through the mess and quickly determined the Nets' lineup.
Point Guard: Bradley, Corey Joseph, Dinwiddie
Shooting Guard: Ariza, JR, Seth Curry
Small forward: Durant, Covington/Turner, Prince
Front: Lin Ying, David West
Center: Jokic, Mahinmi, Chris Anderson
This lineup has super giants, 3D, scoring masters, three-point shooters, basically everything you can think of.
Moreover, many of the forwards can swing at the third and fourth positions, which is very consistent with the team building requirements of the old Karl.
Even in terms of salary, this lineup is just over 90 million. The luxury tax for the new season is 80 million, which is only 10 million over the cap.
In addition, many of these contracts are long-term contracts with high cost performance, and the lineup is also very stable.
It can be said that Walken Dean put a lot of effort into creating this lineup, but of course he was basically exhausted.
After living in the office for so long, and it was not just a matter of making phone calls, he also arranged a lot of trial training. Curry and Joseph were both signed by him after the trial.
He needs to rest for a while before he can recover.
…
One week after the free market ended, the Nets held a press conference for new players.
Last year's Nets press conference was quite a battle, and this year it's going to be even bigger.
Lin Ying, Durant, Ariza, Corey Joseph, David West, Seth Curry, Prince, this is half the team.
As for why Lin Ying came?
He broke out of his contract and signed a new contract with the Nets, which can also be a "new aid".
Of course, this was optional, but Lin Ying came to support Durant. He was afraid that someone at the press conference would cause trouble for Durant.
After all, this is New York, and not to mention those from ESPN, even the local New York media likes to cause trouble.
Facts also proved that Lin Ying guessed...half of it right.
Durant has indeed become the focus of the press conference, because compared to "old acquaintance" Lin Ying, Durant is a serious new aid.
But they didn't have much media trouble with Durant.
On the contrary, the atmosphere of the press conference was even somewhat relaxed and cheerful.
Beyond what fans have said in their clamor on social media, there's a context that's easily overlooked.
Lin Ying and Durant are both considered "losers" now.
Gu Mi/span> Lin Ying [Isolated and helpless], tried his best last season but failed to defeat the four All-Star Cavaliers.
Many fans who watched that series felt it was unfair.
Durant was a "lone hero" last season. He contributed to the tiebreaker in two rounds, and finally ended up being reimbursed for the season in the tiebreaker.
The combination of these two people has a strong impact on people, but it is completely different from the original concept of the Knicks' Big Three.
This also shows that those who criticize Durant on social media are most likely Cavaliers fans.
It would be strange to feel comfortable when your direct competitor gets a major reinforcement.
Of course, Durant was still asked some more pointed questions, such as...
"Who will be the boss of the Nets?"
A reporter from ESPN asked Durant directly.
An important reason why the king does not see the king is that he does not obey anyone.
We are all giants in the league, why are you the boss and me the second?
Lin Ying originally wanted to take the microphone and say something like, "We are the Texas Twins", "We are tied for second place".
But Durant took the microphone first.
"I'm here to be Pippin for Lin."
What is Kevin Durant!
It’s just direct!
These words also caused a commotion among the reporters in the audience.
Durant's gesture is really unexpected.
"But only Lin can let me do that."
Then Durant added another point.
This also quickly silenced the commotion in the audience.
Yes, that's Lin Ying!
If you team up with Lin Ying and let Lin Ying be Pippen, I'm afraid people all over the world will think you are crazy.
So Durant's words sounded very straightforward, but in fact there was no problem.
"Lin, do you think so too?"
The ESPN reporter then asked Lin Ying the same question.
Lin Ying originally wanted to say something, so she took the microphone directly.
"I think the combination of me and Kevin is like Olajuwon and Drexler."
Lin Ying said.
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a burst of applause from the audience.
Because this example is so perfect.
Drexler chose to look for Olajuwon after the Trail Blazers tried their best and failed to win the championship, and Durant did the same;
The season Drexler went there, because Jordan retired, Olajuwon became the number one player in the league, and Lin Ying was also the number one player in the league;
The most interconnected point is that Olajuwon and Drexler were college teammates, as were Lin Ying and Durant!
Moreover, this answer avoids directly answering the question of who is the boss. It can be said to be the most perfect answer. No wonder the reporters applauded.
Lin Ying is extremely good at language arts.
By this time, almost all the questions to Durant had been asked, and the fans also turned their questions to Lin Ying.
"Lin, you just mentioned Olajuwon and Drexler. They completed two consecutive championships in Houston. Considering the ages of you and Kevin, are the Nets ready for three consecutive championships?"
This one is followed by TNT, which is regarded as "one of our own".
After he asked this question, the audience burst into laughter.
After experiencing the "who is the boss" question before, this question can be said to be quite easy.
However, Lin Ying did not laugh. He did not think this was an easy topic.
Moreover, his answers were also very serious.
"I think many people don't know how difficult it is to win three consecutive championships in modern basketball. Your opponents change every season. The opponents you encounter will be very different from what you imagined, and you also have to overcome state, injuries and injuries.
, fighting spirit, personnel turnover and other factors.
This is why I said before that Jordan is the GOAT in my heart. Putting aside external factors, he has won three consecutive championships twice."
Lin Ying's words drew another burst of applause from the audience.
He has just experienced a season in which he failed to win three consecutive championships, and these words can be said to be from personal experience.
And Lin Ying is really Qiao Chui!
However, Lin Ying's expression was still serious.
"And in today's league, you still have to deal with the emergence of various super teams, so for us, our goal is to win a championship first. As for more, I think the answer will naturally come in time."
The audience burst into applause for the third time.
Compared with James' "7 championships" when he first came to New York, Lin Ying's words are what a mature person should say.
You will feel how incredible this is. After all, Lin Ying entered the league 4 years later than James and is 4 years younger than James.
…
"Ying, I think you are being conservative."
After the press conference, Lin Ying and Durant walked to the players' tunnel together. Durant couldn't help but say.
"What? You also want to imitate LeBron and win 7 championships?"
Lin Ying said with a smile.
"No, but I think we still have a good chance of winning three consecutive championships. I'm very confident."
Durant is full of confidence and he always likes to be straightforward.
"Kevin, even if we can do it, it's not appropriate for us to say this, because if we can't do it, we will become a laughing stock. Isn't that how LeBron's seven championships came about?"
Durant nodded after listening, as if that was the case.
"and……"
"And what?"
"Have you forgotten what I told you about the flag?"
Durant suddenly stopped. He carefully recalled what Lin Ying said at the press conference, and then unconsciously slapped his forehead.
"I seem to know what you meant before!"
What he was talking about was what Lin Ying said about asking him to imitate Barkley's speech.
After hearing this, Lin Ying patted Durant on the shoulder:
"Children can be taught."
…
The next day, Charlotte.
Jordan's mansion.
As usual, Jordan was smoking a cigar and sitting on the soft sofa watching the news reports.
Originally he was scanning the news, but when he saw the NBA, he was stunned for a moment, then put down his cigar and burst into laughter.
He really likes this guy Lin Ying!
He wanted to call Lin Ying, but found that he seemed to have nothing to teach Lin Ying.
But he still called and asked Lin Ying to have dinner together.
After he put down the phone, he was still reading the newspaper and laughing non-stop.
The way he looks now is like your cat, he likes you very much, so much that he doesn't know how to express it, until,
Chapter completed!