In the past few days when Wang Feng has strengthened his efforts in adding points and selecting badges and getting familiar with them, the league has been quite lively.
The draft and awards ceremony are over, and the free market has begun. Every team can't wait to show off their skills in the free market.
This year's free market is also full of big fish.
Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors, Kevin Durant of the Warriors, Kyrie Irving of the Celtics, Khris Middleton of the Bucks, Kristalina of the New York Knicks
Porzingis and Jimmy Butler of the Lakers.
The above All-Star level players are all free agents whose contracts have expired. No matter who they get, they can make the team stronger.
For the Lakers, the task these days is actually very simple, that is, renewing Jimmy Butler's contract.
As early as the early season when Butler joined the Lakers, the team management had already promised to provide Butler with a maximum salary this summer.
Wang Feng + Butler's successful victory also fully proved the competitiveness of this pair.
However, when the free market opened, something went wrong between Butler's agent and the Lakers management.
…
"Dingling bell..."
In the training room at home, Wang Feng, who was practicing and adapting to his newly enhanced abilities, stopped and walked to the table where his mobile phone was placed.
"Hello? What's going on?"
Listening to the news on the phone, Wang Feng's expression changed slightly and he said immediately, "I'm going to the arena right now!"
After hanging up the phone, Wang Feng couldn't help but curse secretly.
"Fuck."
These guys in the Lakers front office are really capable of causing trouble!
They don't want to pay Butler the maximum salary.
This season, Butler's regular season average was only 18+5+4, and in the playoffs, his average was only 19+6+5.
Considering Butler's contributions on both offense and defense, giving him a maximum salary is actually not a big deal.
But like the Timberwolves and 76ers, the Lakers also made the same mistake as Butler.
In other words, the Lakers feel that instead of filling up all their salary space with Butler's maximum salary contract, they should free up the money to pursue a better player, such as Leonard and Durant.
Butler is doing well, but compared to these two players, he is obviously more than one level behind.
Although neither Leonard nor Durant have clearly shown interest in the Lakers, the Lakers are obviously the most competitive among the teams pursuing them.
Backed by the big ball market of Los Angeles, it has the conditions to provide a maximum salary, and the team is strong and has just won the championship.
I would like to ask which team in the league still has such favorable conditions as the Lakers?
Therefore, when Jimmy Butler's agent approached the team, the Lakers did Tai Chi, trying to delay the contract extension with Butler.
But the question is, how many fools are there in this league? Especially the agents of the stars, almost all of them are veterans. Butler's agent immediately sensed the Lakers' intention, which was clearly to eat from the bowl.
Looking at the pot, they must want to secretly discuss signing matters with Leonard and Durant. Once they reach a signing agreement with either of them, they will definitely kick Butler away without hesitation.
Butler was extremely angry when he learned about this from his agent.
This is not the first time that he has been despised, and it was at a time when he had made great contributions to the Lakers winning the championship. Not even Butler, not even any player of his worth in the league could bear it.
Butler immediately asked his agent to contact multiple teams to discuss contract renewal issues.
There is no one here, there is a place for one. There are many teams that can sign you with the maximum salary, so the Lakers and your family don’t have to rely on you to eat.
When Wang Feng learned the news, Butler and his agent had already started contacting many teams, including the Heat.
Even Wang Feng was a little anxious for a while.
There is certainly no suspense about which one is stronger between Leonard, Durant and Jimmy Butler. Leonard and Durant are definitely stronger.
But the question is, can Leonard and Durant do the dirty work on the court like Jimmy Butler and don't care if their personal data is affected?
Not to mention the question of whether they can or not, the attendance rate of these two uncles in the next few years will be a problem. What Wang Feng wants is a qualified second-in-command, a Pippen-style assistant. Looking at the entire league, there are only Paul George and
Clay Thompson can be compared to Butler.
Wang Feng knows that the Lakers management team is a group of people who are addicted to collecting stars. In their eyes, big-name stars are equal to the strength of the team.
It is precisely because of this that they will try every means to trade Russell Westbrook in the future. The entire Lakers' Big Three combination of James + Davis + Westbrook will not even make it to the play-offs.
It is true that the Lakers' problems are not entirely the fault of Westbrook alone.
James's decline in competitive form and Davis's injuries are all problems plaguing that Lakers team, but Westbrook's presence is obviously the straw that breaks the camel's back.
With the benefit of hindsight, what would have happened if the Westbrook deal had not been completed and the Lakers still had Kuzma, Harrell and Pope on the roster?
Kuzma averages 17 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the Wizards. His statistics are no worse than Westbrook's, and his efficiency value is even higher. Harrell and Pope are also role players who can contribute points in the rotation.
Wang Feng doesn't know if the Lakers can really pursue Leonard or Durant, whether their strength will be further strengthened. He only knows to keep Butler. With the Lakers' current lineup, they have basically been in the league in recent years.
There is no opponent!
So keep Butler no matter what!
…
Lakers Arena, in the general manager's office.
General manager Magic Johnson looked at Wang Feng's sudden visit with some confusion.
"Wang, why are you here? Shouldn't you be enjoying your vacation at this time?"
"Ervin." Wang Feng went straight to the point. "I heard that the team has not renewed Jimmy's contract yet?"
Wang Feng's slightly questioning tone made Magic Johnson raise his eyebrows slightly.
He didn't expect that Wang Feng was actually called for this matter.
"Wang, matters related to the contract renewal between the team and Jimmy are in progress, but we have not yet reached an agreement. We will work hard to continue to promote the contract renewal as soon as possible..."
Before he finished speaking, he was impatiently interrupted by Wang Feng.
"What is there to agree on? Wasn't it already agreed at the beginning of the season? If Butler is offered a maximum salary extension, what else is there to discuss?"