Chapter 324 One-for-four, trading the Hornets' 1996 first-round pick
"Jerry, let me tell you some bad news. Dameng rejected Michael's invitation and did not come to Miami. Only Barkley came over." Frank said.
"Okay, I understand."
Another piece of bad news. He shook his head helplessly and hung up the phone.
After thinking for a while, he dialed Dan Fagan's phone number.
This is Dameng's agent. He and Dan Fogen have discussed the possibility of trading Dameng, but Fagan is not enthusiastic.
The reason, he can guess, is that Dameng, like Jordan, has a contract that expires next year. If he comes to the Bulls, it is already known to the world that Jordan may get an annual salary of 20 million next year, and he will definitely not get a big contract.
Which superstar now doesn't want to get a 100-million-yuan contract like Old K. Even if he can't get a 100-million-yuan contract, it's not bad to get a top-level contract worth tens of millions, but it's impossible for a team to accommodate a top-level contract.
It accommodates two shares, so as an agent, Dan Fagan cannot support Big Dream to come to the Bulls.
The only thing he hoped for was that the Mosaics would not get the glider, which would offend Big Dream and allow the Bulls to take advantage of the opportunity.
As soon as the call came through, just as he expected, Danfogen told him that Drexler is now in Houston, with Dream, and the general manager of the Mosaic team.
In other words, there is a high probability that Glider will join the Mosaic team, and then Dameng will stay in Houston. In this way, all his ideas of bringing in Bugs and Dameng have failed.
"well!"
Rubbing his temples, he called David Frank again to inform him of the news.
After Jordan heard it over there, he was also very disappointed. He took Frank's call and said, "Hey, Mr. Claus, I don't care what method you use. I'm not young anymore. I can't wait any longer. You have to give me
Find the right help or I will definitely leave Chicago next year."
"Crack!"
After saying that, he hung up the phone without waiting for Klaus's reaction.
Klaus smiled bitterly. What can he do? Although the team's reinforcements can be manipulated, it depends more on opportunities. No team will be willing to trade their favorite players to you.
So if he wants to complete the rebuilding of the team, it really depends on luck, and it may not be successful. If it cannot succeed, he can only use this lineup first, and there is no better way. Even with this lineup,
It also took him many seasons to slowly build and cultivate him.
"By the way, the Suns didn't renew Danny Manning's contract. They sent someone to check it out. If it's still usable, it's okay to sign him in as a substitute."
At this time, he thought of Danny Manning, the No. 1 draft pick who was seriously injured and was reimbursed, and felt that it was an opportunity and he might as well give it a try.
…
Phoenix and Wang Tiejun have been very busy these days. Hawksman has brought a stack of endorsement contracts with the world's first-tier and top brands, no less than thirty. These companies are lining up to give him money, making money and making money.
Signing with these brands not only makes money, but also means an increase in his international influence and status.
These are the effects of this championship, FMVP, and averaging 50 points per game in the finals.
"Old K, this time is considered hot money. If you cannot continue to show strong performance next season, your ability to attract money will be significantly reduced."
Hoxman warned: "So whether you can win the championship or not next season, your personal performance must be the best in the league. I hope you can win the league's regular season mvp next season. Your personal data this season is the best."
, it’s just a little bit short, I believe you definitely have that strength.”
"Don't worry, I will try my best." He nodded and said.
After signing the contract, he has to rush to Los Angeles to take some photos and advertisements for these brands. Of course, not every brand needs it. Some brands only need his authorization. This kind of endorsement is the most convenient.
On the afternoon of the 16th, Wang Tiejun and Yu Feihong went to Colangelo's home. Everyone in the Colangelo family attended to express their respect for the two.
Yu Feihong, Mrs. Colangelo and other women went aside to talk, while several men sat together drinking and chatting.
While chatting, Colangelo Jr. talked about the upcoming 1995 draft.
"Brian, we only have our own lottery, right?" Lao Wang asked casually.
"No, in addition to our own, there is also the Lakers' first-round pick, which was used to trade Ceballos last season," Colangelo Jr. said.
"How many picks?" he asked.
"No. 21 is not the lottery pick, but it is better than ours. We are the third to last pick, No. 25." Colangelo Jr. said.
"Do you have a goal? Who are you going to choose?" he asked with interest.
Colangelo Jr. was born in 1966 and is only 29 years old this year. He happened to want to build a relationship with Lao Wang, so he hurriedly said: "Usually by that pick, all the good inside rookies have been picked, and I am going to pick an outside player.
Now that the glider is gone, I want to pick a small forward or a forward. Of course, if you have a good defender, that's fine. Anyway, priority is given to the perimeter."
Lao Wang nodded. He only knew that the team was short of people now, but he didn't know how to choose people. He just wanted to listen to the excitement.
"How many first-round picks do we have next year?" he asked, knowing that next year would be a big draft year.
Colangelo Jr. said: "In addition to our own, we also have the Mosaics' unprotected first-round pick and their second-round pick obtained from trading Barkley. There are two first-round picks in total, but..."
Speaking of this, he said with some helplessness: "The Glider is going to Houston. Their record next season will not be bad. Maybe it is the last pick. I don't think it is of much value."
When Lao Wang heard this, he realized that it was really possible.
The Mosaic team has assembled the three superstars of Dream, Barkley, and Drexler. The possibility of winning the championship next year is too high. If so, the value of their pick will be very worthless.
At this time, Colangelo reminded: "Bryan, I suggest you trade up the pick, and do it as early as possible. Now Drexler and Mosaic have not negotiated a contract, this is the last opportunity to trade Mosaic's pick.
.”
"I know, father, I will do it right away." Little Colangelo said.
…
The next day, Wang Tiejun took Yu Feihong and left Phoenix.
Before getting on the plane, he contacted Ma Jian. This guy gained some attention around him, and several teams sent him trial invitations.
Unfortunately, Ma Jian told him frustratedly that after the trial training, there was no clear news from several teams and there were still no draft prospects.
Lao Wang couldn't help him, he could only comfort him with a few words.
When he stepped on the plane, Colangelo Jr. was contacting other teams, hoping to exchange the two first-round picks in 1996 for a better one.
However, he found a few bad teams, and he is not a fool. Since it is not a championship team, of course he will not trade the pick in his hand to the Suns, especially the pick in 1996.
He has no choice but to look for some opportunities in the playoff teams. Even if he trades up one or two positions, it would be good.
He first contacted the Trail Blazers without success, then contacted the Jazz with no success, and then contacted the two Eastern Conference teams with no success. This time, he contacted the Hornets.
The Hornets have Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson. This inside combination is both offensive and defensive. In addition, the three outside players are all averaging 10 per game. They are very strong. They were fifth in the Eastern Conference last season. This is an incredible team.
For a team that can mess up, their 1996 pick should not be too high. As long as they have the leverage, there is some possibility of trading.
When the Hornets heard that the Suns were interested in their first-round pick next year, they initially refused, but after hearing the bargaining chip offered by Colangelo Jr., they agreed to consider it.
Colangelo Jr.'s bargaining chip is the Mosaics' 1996 unprotected first-round pick, the 1996 second-round pick, plus the Suns' 1996 second-round pick.
The Hornets believe that they will have no problem reaching the playoffs next season, and they have no plan to damage the market, otherwise Alonzo Mourning will not renew his contract next year.
No matter what kind of draft year 1996 is, they will not fail, because even if they get the No. 1 pick, they may not be able to find the next powerful center like Mourning.
Therefore, their own pick is definitely not a lottery pick, and they also have a first-round pick obtained through trade. The opponent is not as strong as the Hornets, and the position of that pick should be higher than their own position.
As for the strength of the Mosaic team, the Hornets management has considered it again and again. They believe that Barkley and Dameng will be one year older. The strength of the team next season should not be as good as this year. Their first-round pick should be not much lower than that of the Hornets.
One position can be exchanged for three, which can be considered.
After careful consideration, the Hornets changed a bargaining chip and reported it to the Suns to test the Suns' bottom line.
"Our 1996 lottery?"
This time it was Colangelo Jr.'s turn to think about it.
The Hornets rejected his bargaining chip and exchanged the Suns' 1996 second-round pick for an unprotected first-round pick. In this way, the two unprotected first-round picks plus a second-round pick were exchanged for one from the Hornets.
An unprotected first-round pick, and the Hornets' first-round pick next year will definitely not be a lottery pick. The transaction cost is too high, so it is not worthwhile.
His offer itself was already pretty good. One for three, the Hornets wouldn't suffer a loss, so after thinking about it, he rejected the Hornets' offer, but added a 1995 second-round pick to the first offer.
One for four, this offer immediately impressed the Hornets, and the transaction was successful.
"Sigh, but I hope the Hornets' record next season will be worse."
After the trade, Colangelo Jr. sighed and thought that he should contact Old K and ask him to fight to death when he meets the Hornets next season. It is best to hurt Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson.
…
At noon, Wang Tiejun and Hawksman rushed to Los Angeles together, but instead of staying in his own house here, they stayed in a hotel. He would not stay here long, and it was more convenient to stay in a hotel.
Liu Changjiang came to pick him up and told him that the branch here was ready and waiting for him to open.
Wang Tiejun decided to let Liu Changjiang manage the Los Angeles branch here. This cousin works delicately and carefully.
"Lance, the star over there at CAA, please help me place the invitation."
"Of course."
After settling in the hotel, Hawksman went to deal with the invitations, and the two followed Liu Changjiang to the martial arts gym.
In order to facilitate Hollywood stars, the branch library was located on Wilshere Avenue in Beverly Hills and rented an entire floor of a building.
After walking around the martial arts school for a while, like Liu Changjiang said, everything was done and we were just waiting for it to open.
In the afternoon, after learning the news, not only the Chinese chambers of commerce in Los Angeles came over, but also many people from San Francisco. It can be said that all the reputable Chinese in the entire Greater Bay Area came over.
The Hebei Chamber of Commerce acted as a host and invited him to have dinner in Chinatown. They invited more than twenty tables in total, turning the gathering into a Chinese gathering in the Greater Bay Area.
If you eat someone else's food, you have to return the invitation. The next day, he also invited guests to dinner in Chinatown, and also invited more than 20 tables.
In the next few days, he went to shoot commercials every day, and took Yu Feihong to attend some parties in the evening.
Some of these gatherings were CAA gatherings, and some were gatherings of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Over the past few days, he and Yu Feihong made many friends, and by the way, he also promoted the K-Martial Arts Hall.
On the 19th, Ma Jian arrived in Phoenix for a trial with the Suns. Afterwards, Wang Tiejun received a call from Colangelo Jr.
"Old K, I'm sorry, but currently, your fellow countryman's potential and skills have not reached NBA standards."
"Okay, I get it."
"That's right, Old K, if you want, we can also sign him." At this time, Colangelo suddenly said.
Lao Wang was startled, is this buy one get one free?
"No, the team will follow the rules."
He refused. It meant nothing to him. For Ma Jian, although he could enter the NBA, he could only get a basic salary, which meant nothing.
Earning a basic salary in the NBA is more than 100,000 US dollars a season. With the normal expenses of NBA players, they can't even afford to rent a house.
Instead of hanging around in the United States, Ma Jian would be better off returning to China to play in the CBA.
This year, under the leadership of Liu Yumin, the domestic system was restructured. The top eight of the Class A league was changed to the CBA Professional League. I heard that it was going well. There is also a home and away system, as well as a multi-year system, following the competition system learned from the NBA.
On the 22nd, Wang Tiejun and Liu Changjiang went to the airport to pick them up because a group of brothers who had been transferred from their hometown came over. There were 200 of them.
This is the first batch this time, specially transferred for the Los Angeles branch. The New York branch is still under construction, and the manpower there is the second batch, which will arrive in two days.
The vast majority of this group are not from the Wang clan, they are all young people from Qingxian County who picked out the ones with good craftsmanship.
Massage is not a secret skill. In short, there has been a trend of learning massage in the Cangzhou area. There are countless young people who want to follow him and come to the United States to make a lot of money.
This time, there are not only men in this group, but also more than 20 women, specially arranged.
Some female clients ask for female massage therapists, but only some of them. Most female clients, including those female celebrities, don’t want a female massage therapist, saying that it would be embarrassing for a female to give her a massage. They want a male massage therapist, and the male massage therapist is good enough.
Lao Wang took this group of people to Chinatown for dinner first and told them some things that the United States should pay attention to.
For example, you can't go out at night, and even if you go out, you have to go with a few people, and you have to drive in the end. Try not to go to some slums during the day.
Another example is what to do when you encounter customer harassment, what to do when you encounter racial discrimination, what to do when you encounter the police, what you do when you encounter robbery, etc.
These brothers and sisters are all here for him, so he has to be responsible here and not let them have problems. If there is a problem, he will have no face when he returns to his hometown, right?
…
On this day, in a Korean Taekwondo gym in Los Angeles, there was a gathering of a group of stickmen. They were all Korean Taekwonders from the city's Taekwondo gym. There were 17 or 18 people.
These people gathered specially because of the opening of the Los Angeles branch of the K-Martial Arts Gym.
"I heard it will open on the 24th, what should we do?"
"The K martial arts gym has stolen our limelight and has been rated as the most popular martial arts gym by the American media. It will definitely steal a large number of our students in the future. We must fight back."
"What else can we do? Of course it's a door-to-door challenge."
"Kick the gym!"
The stickmen immediately started shouting.
…
On the 24th, the K-Martial Arts Los Angeles branch opened.
Sure enough, it is Los Angeles. There were more guests here than the last time the Phoenix main hall opened. The total number reached hundreds. The various luxury cars in the parking lot could open several luxury car exhibitions.
Half of these guests are from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Now he is considered the most influential and well-known Chinese in the United States. All Chinese in this area do not want to know him.
Hawksman also invited a lot of people for him, including celebrities and many wealthy businessmen in Los Angeles. Many of them he didn't know, or he had only met them at some parties and exchanged a few words with them.
For these businessmen and celebrities, the opening of a martial arts gym is equivalent to a party and an opportunity to build a network. As long as they receive the invitation, they usually attend the party, and the consumption does not cost them much.
.
Although Lakers boss Buss didn't recruit him, he was very generous in his conduct and work. He not only came to congratulate him in person, but also brought several of his children.
In addition, an unexpected guest, the Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, came to congratulate him in person, which Lao Wang did not expect.
To express my gratitude, I gave the card to the Consul General. He may not be able to use it, so I’m just thinking about it.
"Old K, congratulations!"
Naturally, Cheng Long and his entourage also came over. They missed the opening of the main library last time, so this time they gave a gift of US$88,888 to the opening of the branch.