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On the morning of the 15th, at the Phoenix Suns headquarters, Colangelo Jr. met Kidd and his agent Schwartz in the office.
Kidd's first agent was Aaron Goodwin, who helped Kidd sign a nine-year, $60 million contract. Then the league's salary cap increased dramatically in the past few years, and he fired Goodwin.
, switched to agent Jeff Schwartz.
"Jason, you are the main point guard in the finals. You have won the championship as the main player. Now it is time to fight for better treatment.
If you can't improve your status on the team, you will never become a superstar, and you have the potential.
I think you have the potential to become the core of a team. Leading the team to win the championship with the core should be your next goal. Following others to win the championship has no meaning to you and cannot increase your commercial value."
These were the words Jeff Schwartz said to Kidd that brought back all his ambitions.
He is an ambitious person, otherwise he would not have participated in the competition for the top spot when he was the youngest member of the Mavericks and only in his second year, causing the team to split and disintegrate.
After this season with the Suns, he has thoroughly seen what it is like to be the core leader of the team. As for Old K's position in the Suns, he drools just thinking about it, wishing he could replace it with his own body, and dream.
Everyone wants to be the core leader of a team.
Now, under the stimulation of the agent, this ambition, like a weed, began to grow rapidly in my heart, and I couldn't suppress it.
After the two parties sat down and exchanged a few words, Jeff Schwartz took the lead in starting the topic, trying to take some initiative.
"Mr. Colangelo, I wonder what arrangements the team has for Jason next season?" he asked.
"Mr. Schwartz, I guarantee that he will be our main point guard. Kevin Johnson will enter the bench. He will retire after playing next season." Colangelo said.
"So what tactical position would Jason have?" Jeff Schwartz asked.
"Um……"
Colangelo looked at Schwartz, hesitated for a moment and then said: "He will gain the same tactical status as lightning last season."
Schwartz and Kidd looked at each other in disappointment, and after exchanging glances, the former said: "This won't work, Mr. Colangelo, my player hopes to obtain a higher tactical status. He has a very good organization and
His passing ability gives him the ability to control the Suns' offense.
And I really don’t understand why the team lets a center distribute the ball. You have the best point guard in the league, why don’t you give him the ball?
As a point guard, this is the scope of his responsibilities, but now you have deprived him of this power, and he has become an ordinary defender who dribbles the ball through the half court. This is a huge waste. His talent is here.
Didn’t get a chance to perform.”
Colangelo smiled and said: "It's simple, because Old K has led the team to win two championships, and his ability has been proven."
Jeff Schwartz and Kidd's expressions froze. These words were a bit hurtful!
"Jason, do you have any objections to Old K?" Colangelo Jr. turned to Kidd.
Kidd quickly shook his head. Do you think I'm stupid? Although I am indeed dissatisfied with Old K's control of the team's distribution of ball rights, can I admit this?
"I see, Mr. Schwartz, Jason has no objection," Colangelo Jr. said.
Schwartz was helpless and could only say to Kidd: "Jason, please go out first and let me talk to Mr. Colangelo alone."
"OK."
Kidd breathed a sigh of relief, nodded to Colangelo, and then immediately got up and went out.
Colangelo Jr. shrugged, feeling helpless. It seemed that Kidd could not be retained.
However, with Old K distributing the ball rights, the team's basic tactics are relatively simple. Kidd's importance is not that great. If you want to leave, just leave.
From Kidd, he thought of Kobe, who was a young man with greater ambitions. Can the team keep him in the future?
When the team won the championship, Kidd's psychology changed. He wanted to pursue a higher tactical status and a higher team status. What about Kobe? Has Kobe's psychology changed because of the championship?
When this idea arose in his mind, Kobe's agent Arne Tellem was talking with Kobe's parents and two sisters.
Kobe's home is still in Philadelphia. He originally wanted his parents and two sisters to live with him in Phoenix, but they returned to Philadelphia after staying for a while and were not satisfied with the environment here.
"Joe, are you really not going to move to Phoenix?" Tellem asked.
"Arn, I'm used to it, but Pam and the others are not used to it," Joe Bryant said.
"Joe, I have something to discuss with you now, about Kobe's future," Tellem said.
"Arn, tell me."
Job Bryant became serious, and so did Kobe's mother, Pam Bryant, and his two sisters. Those who had been leaning on the back of their chairs now sat upright.
Nodding, Tellem said: "Joe, you are also from the NBA and have just retired four years ago. You should understand that the Suns are a team completely centered on old K.
Whether it was ball possession, shots, or especially tactics, he was the centerpiece. Everyone else was severely suppressed, including Kobe.
Kobe didn't have much status in the Suns. He only played defense when he came on the court. He was just a hard worker. The Suns didn't give him the treatment he deserved as the seventh pick in the first round, and Old K didn't help Kobe either.
Joe, I think this severely limits Kobe's development. It's time for him to hit the ball. Joe, we have to do something to help him."
Joe Bryant nodded. He himself plays center and has played eight seasons in the NBA. Of course, it can be seen that Old K has a centralized system in the Suns. Kobe Bryant has no status in the Suns. His shots are suppressed and he has no persistence.
The chance of the ball has very little freedom.
"But, what can we do? Kobe has a 3+1 contract with the Suns. He has to play for at least two more years before he can get out of the contract." He said with some embarrassment.
"There is an opportunity now. Joe, the general manager of the Lakers, Mr. West, has contacted me again. He hopes to trade Kobe. As long as Kobe takes the initiative to apply for a trade, the Suns will not be able to keep him." Tellem said with excitement.
.
"Lakers?"
Job Bryant knew that the Lakers really wanted Kobe Bryant, but he didn't expect that his persistence would reach this day.
"Daddy, let Kobe go to Los Angeles, I like it there." Celia Bryant said happily.
"It would be best for Kobe to go to the Lakers, where his commercial value will be the highest." Shaya Bryant also nodded quickly.
"Qiao, you should think about it."
Pam Bryant was also very moved. Like her two daughters, she didn't like Phoenix. It was small, surrounded by deserts, had a dry climate, no beaches, no Hollywood, no luxury restaurants, nothing.
Seeing the attitude of Kobe's mother and two sisters, Arntlem was delighted and continued to persuade: "Joe, Kobe has won the championship, now it's time to pursue more.
West promised me that Kobe will get the best training in the Lakers. He will become the core of the Lakers' outside line in the future. Duncan will be the core of the inside line. They will become the top inside and outside combination in the league. Together, they can even dominate the league in the future.
Ten years and twenty years.
Joe, Kobe has no future in the Suns. Think about the age of old K. When Kobe grows up in the future, old K will probably still be in his prime. Kobe will always be his little brother. He can hit Kobe at will.
Kobe can't even resist. This is wrong. Kobe should leave him. Only by leaving him can he have room for development."
"Why did Old K hit Kobe?" Shaya Bryant said angrily.
"Yeah, why did he bully Kobe?" Pam Bryant and Kobe's eldest sister also asked angrily.
Tellem shrugged and said: "Didn't Kobe worship him as his master? He said that according to Chinese rules, it is natural for a master to beat his apprentice.
Let me tell you, Kobe shouldn’t be a disciple. He is a guard and K is a center. The skills he learned from K are of no use at all.”
"It's too much. Old K is a devil. We need to rescue Kobe."
Shaya Bryant seemed to see Kobe wailing under the beating of Old K, and said anxiously and angrily.
"Yes, we must let Kobe out of his clutches." Pam Bryant and her daughter quickly agreed.
Job Bryant felt that what his old friend Tellem said was a bit exaggerated. Kobe looked fine and had a very good relationship with Old K. When he called home, he didn’t say anything bad about Old K. He only said that he often slept in Old K.
K lives in K's house, eats and drinks from him, and usually trains together. How could the relationship be so bad?
He is not a rookie, but an NBA veteran. At this time, I can't help but consider a situation. Could it be that Tellem, an old friend, has taken advantage of the Lakers and wants to get Kobe Bryant to the Lakers? This possibility
, not that there is none.
But then again, he doesn't want Kobe to continue to stay in Phoenix.
Phoenix is too young, and he would rather Kobe go to play in a global city like Los Angeles. If Kobe goes to the Lakers, they will definitely move to Los Angeles and the family can be reunited.
Although he doubted Tellem, the two were good friends, and he also wanted Kobe to go to the Lakers, so he didn't intend to expose it. He just said: "Arn, let's do this. I'll find a chance to talk to Kobe first and ask for his opinion."
.”
Tellem quickly said: "Joe, Kobe is too young and completely immature mentally. As a father, you have to make a decision on this matter."
He had talked with Kobe a long time ago, but they almost fell out. Kobe didn't want to go to the Lakers at all. He just wanted to wait until old K died and he took over the Suns.
Job Bryant thought about it for a while and then said: "Well, Kobe will be back soon. Let's wait until he comes back. The trading window is not open yet, so there is still time."
Terem nodded, that was all he could do.
Phoenix, Colangelo Jr. and Kidd's agent Schwartz have already reached an agreement to put Kidd on the shelf as soon as the trade window arrives.
He also did not agree to other conditions. It is already very good to let Kidd leave. Now Kidd is not qualified to negotiate any conditions with the team. Without good trading chips, Kidd can only continue to stay with the Suns.
But he warned Schwartz not to disclose the matter to the outside world before the trade window opened, so as not to affect the team's other plans.
…
At noon, Comrade Lao Wang's swimming pool party was held as scheduled.
The party was arranged to be held in a private hotel. This hotel was not big, but had a nice environment and high privacy. He spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to book the place, and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to arrange the party, which was quite a lot of money.
.
Hawksman invited dozens of serious models and starlets from Hollywood. As the party progressed, many of these beauties were taken away two by two, and the number of people at the party was rapidly decreasing.
These men and women don't have to leave the hotel. The hotel has enough rooms for one person, but they usually share three people.
"Kobe, you are still young, one is enough."
Lao Wang saw Kobe holding two Hollywood starlets in his arms and going back to the room, and shouted quickly.
"There are two of them, why should I be the only one?" Kobe said, grabbing the two beauties in bikinis and running away.
"Oh, these people are so impatient!"
Before two o'clock, Lao Wang was the only one left next to the swimming pool, soaking alone in the swimming pool.
"I still have to bring Brother Fei here next season. I am alone and have too much energy!"
He didn't dare to come up when the beauties were there, he only dared to stay in the water. Now that there was no one around, he dared to climb up.
I ate something randomly and left the hotel directly.
That night, K Martial Arts held a party in a hotel in Phoenix and invited more than thirty local businessmen. Seven or eight others were state legislators. Even Governor Norkenth Waring and Mayor Edward Green also attended.
.
Colangelo Sr. revealed at the party that some Suns shareholders had the idea of selling their equity, and many people immediately expressed their willingness to invest.
"Their asking price is not low. The current venture capital valuation of the Suns has reached US$90 million, but they require that the team's market value be calculated as US$150 million," Colangelo said.
"One hundred and fifty million?"
A dozen businessmen who were interested in investing in the Suns each began to find a good deal, but they all felt that the price was too high.
The value of an NBA team is hard to say. For example, the Trail Blazers met Paul Allen in 1988 and sold it for US$70 million. Before that, the Bulls only sold it for US$15 million in 1985. When comparing the market, the Bulls were better than the Trail Blazers.
It's better, but it sells cheaper.
The value of a team depends on the football market, and the football market depends on the team's record and the team's signature stars.
Teams in big-market cities are of course more expensive, but they can't do it without a record, unless it's the Knicks or the Lakers.
There are records, and there are levels. Those who can reach the finals are of course more expensive.
The same goes for the team's signature stars. Those with box office appeal are more expensive than those without box office appeal.
But no matter what, the price of US$1.5 billion is still too high.
At this time, Governor Waring said: "Everyone, the Suns are looking for a big owner with long-term investment. The team must continue to invest in the championship and there will be no profit in the short term.
Then I believe that you are all people with investment vision, not the current short-sighted small shareholders of the Suns. They are trying to share the championship dividends by selling off old K and reducing expenses. This is absolutely undesirable and a short-sighted approach.
investment behavior.”
Mayor Green continued: "I believe that the Suns are the best asset to preserve and increase value, and they are definitely worth owning. In fact, there are many people who want to buy the Suns, but we only invited local businessmen to participate today.
"
"Mr. Colangelo, how many shares are you willing to sell now?" a woman asked.
As the host of the party, Lao Wang stood at the edge, chatting with Hawksman.
Of course he knew this VIP client, her name was Kelly John, who was only in her forties and one of the richest people in Phoenix. She had a local family behind her, including a state legislator who was also here now.
She is the chairman of the John Group, which owns a high-tech communications company and a local bank. It also operates golf courses and an electrical appliance company in Phoenix, as well as more than a dozen other companies. Her personal assets should be around US$2 billion.
Above, the family has more assets, has a very high social status in Phoenix, and is considered one of the top local businessmen.
I spend a lot of money at the K Martial Arts School, especially medicated baths and medicated meals. I order them almost every day. I am one of the most loyal top VIP customers of the Martial Arts School.
small book booth
"Mrs. John, if your bid is high enough, at least 60% of the shareholders will be willing to sell." Old Colangelo said immediately.
"Are you sure they will be willing to sell instead of forcing the management to trade Old K by exerting pressure?"
When Kelly John said this, she looked back at Lao Wang and said with a smile: "I don't want to buy a Suns team without Lao K. Without Lao K, the Suns are not even worth 30 million US dollars."
"good."
"Without Old K, the Suns wouldn't even be worth a fraction of US$1.5 billion."
Other businessmen who are interested in investing nodded in agreement with Kelly John's words.
Lao Wang then said with a smile: "Don't worry, they can't trade me."
"Why?" Kelly John asked doubtfully.
Lao Wang's expression became serious and he said: "If they force the management to trade me, then I will announce my retirement."
Old Colangelo said at this time: "When Old K came to the Suns, we didn't pay any price, so if he wants to leave, we won't set any conditions. He can leave freely at any time."
"That's a good idea."
"Unable to trade Old K, the value of the Suns has been reduced by more than half. I think those shareholders have no choice but to sell their shares."
Some people exclaimed, while others nodded.
Kelly John thought for a moment and asked: "Mr. Colangelo, the price of US$150 million is indeed too high. Is there any room for negotiation?"
"Of course."
Old Colangelo nodded and asked: "Mrs. John, are you interested in purchasing the Suns?"
Kelly John nodded and said: "I have recently disposed of some traditional assets of my family and hope to purchase an asset with a relatively high value for my family. The Suns suit my requirements.
In addition, if old K really leaves Phoenix, I am worried that he will close the branch library here, which will have a big impact on me.
Look at his martial arts gym, which only has four branches. He has no intention of continuing to develop it. If he leaves here, it is really likely to close down."
Lao Wang smiled. This is indeed possible. The Phoenix branch does not have many VIP customers. If the second sister does not take over to help him manage the martial arts gym, if he wants to leave here, hundreds of people will follow him back to China this time.
, basically it needs to be closed.
"If we can negotiate a price of US$70 to US$80 million, I would also like to participate in this acquisition."
"At this price, I'll join one too."
"Me too."
Several businessmen immediately expressed their stance.
But at this time Kelly John said: "I think $100 million is acceptable."
Colangelo immediately smiled and said: "If Mrs. John can join the Suns, I believe it will be the best result."
Several people exchanged glances, and they all shook their heads helplessly, and directly raised the purchase price by 20 million US dollars. Mrs. John made it clear that she did not want them to interfere.
They were indeed not as strong as each other. They had business relationships with each other before, and they did not want to offend each other by acquiring the Suns. Moreover, Colangelo also made it clear that he supported Mrs. John, so they had no choice but to withdraw.
With everyone's tacit understanding, the matter was decided. Anyway, it was just a small investment.
Lao Wang was relieved to see that the matter was settled. He found a new owner who was willing to continue to compete for the championship, and he did not have to leave the Suns.
But why does he feel like he just can't let go? Is something going to happen?
"Mrs. John, have you made any good investments recently?" someone asked.
"The Four Asian Tigers are currently enjoying a very good momentum, especially the real estate market in Thailand is very hot. I have invested a large amount of money and I believe there will be huge returns," said Kelly John.
“Thailand’s real estate market?”
Everyone looks at me and I look at you. Southeast Asia is a very unfamiliar territory to them, too far away.
Phoenix is not a big city, let alone an international metropolis. These local businessmen are doing local business. For businessmen in an international metropolis like New York, they are veritable country bumpkins.
They are not good at international investment and have no information channels. Unexpectedly, John Group has now begun to invest abroad. As expected, it is indeed Mrs. John who made the transformation of John Group successful.
Next, Kelly John began to promote her real estate business in Thailand, hoping to get more capital to join. The real estate market requires massive funds, and she does not have the capital to live alone.
And she didn’t want to put her eggs in one basket, so she chose to acquire the Suns, which can be regarded as a value-preserving investment.
Lao Wang also heard it, and his uneasiness seemed to be getting stronger and stronger.