The Godfather of Basketball

James announced that he would jump out of the contract without specifying the specific reason. The outside world guessed that it was because of the need to re-sign a big contract with the team.

But jumping out of the contract means that he has become a completely free agent, and other teams can contact him directly.

Although the probability of staying in the team is high, the possibility of leaving the team is not ruled out. As long as it is possible, other teams will definitely strive for it.

With Yao Ming injured and Kobe Bryant about to retire, James is undoubtedly the biggest player in the league.

This decision is yet another bloodbath in free agency.

Tang Tian is also observing the free agent market.

After the opening of the free agent door, the Nets have successively signed with rookies.

Taylor Johnson got a 1+1+1 contract, fully guaranteed for the first year, unguaranteed for the next two years and has team options.

There is a fully guaranteed contract for 1 year. This contract is quite good for an undrafted pick, and it is before the start of summer league, which means that the team will definitely keep you.

What Jokic got was a four-year contract of 6.25 million yuan, which was higher than the contract in his previous life. Just like Tang Tian promised, he had already calculated the buyout fee into his first contract.

Bogdan Bogdanovic got a standard first-round pick contract, 2+1+1, 6.11 million in 4 years.

Bojan Bogdanovic was a rookie in 2011 and is 25 years old this year. His contract must be special. The three-year, fully guaranteed contract of 11 million yuan is also one of the conditions for him to agree to come to the NBA.

After successively signing rookies, the prototype of the Nets' roster for the new season has also emerged.

Point Guard: Deron Williams, Shawn Livingston

Shooting Guard: Joe Johnson, Bogdan Bogdanovic

Small forward: Bojan Bogdanovic

Power Forward: None

Centers: Brook Lopez, Mason Plumlee, Nikola Jokic

There are only 8 people on the team's roster, but the total salary is 71.38 million, which is close to the luxury tax.

The combined annual salary of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez is close to 60 million, which the Nets cannot solve for the time being.

(Note: Deron still has a 3-year maximum salary contract, and Johnson has a 2-year maximum salary contract)

Under this premise, Tang Tian can only use his rookie contract and basic salary to supplement the team lineup first.

Although the salary that can be given is limited, it is not completely impossible to find some high-quality role players with the open eyes.

Tang Tian made a list for Jones.

Lavoy Allen, Ramon Sessions, Mike Scott, Greg Oden, E'Twaun Moore, Darius Miller, Jordan Crawford, Paul Pierce.

Most of the players can get the basic salary. As for Pierce in the end, Tang Tian hopes to pay some luxury tax and keep him.

The operation of the free market was going on, but Tang Tian didn't pin all his hopes on it.

"Case, contact the Trail Blazers. Don't they need an inside substitute now? Pralim offers them directly. We want their first-round pick for next year and Will Barton, or Aaron Crabbe One of them." When he was free that day, Tang Tian directly pulled Jones and said.

"To trade Mason?" Tang Tian hadn't mentioned this before, and Jones seemed a little surprised.

Pralim was a rookie last season. He averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game and shot over 65%.

As for the two players Tang Tian mentioned, Will Barton and Aaron Crabbe, one was a fringe player after two years of playing, and the other was only in his second year as a rookie. He didn't see any great talent.

The Trail Blazers are now strong, and this deal is not profitable.

"Yes, we have Nikola. He needs playing time. If Mason stays on the team, his trading value will continue to decline. It's better to trade draft picks and return some young players now." Tang Tian explained, He didn't say what level of players Barton and Crabbe will grow into in the future, but getting them when the transaction value is the lowest is sure to make money.

After listening to Tang Tian's explanation, Jones nodded and said nothing.

It seems that my old boss and new boss really value Jokic very much.

After confessing to Jones, Tang Tian went to find Pierce. Like Garnett, "Truth" was also suppressed miserably by Tang Tian in the east.

"I hope you will continue to stay and fight for the championship with the team. The team will provide you with a full middle class of 10 million for two years."

"No, coach, I don't care about our grievances in the past, but I'm 34 years old and I don't see hope for a championship here, so I'm sorry."

The conversation between Tang Tian and Pierce was not long. Tang Tian expressed his sincerity and conditions, but the old Pierce was not too vague and spoke very directly.

It will take at least a while for the Nets to rise, and he can't afford to wait.

Tang Tian couldn't convince Pierce, but he didn't force him either, after all, everyone has his own ambitions.

Not being able to keep Pierce made Tang Tian a little disappointed, but what he lost was Sang Yu, and Jones called him just after his conversation with Pierce was over.

"The Trail Blazers' deal has been negotiated. They are willing to give out next year's first round and Will Barton."

Crabbe and Barton, the Blazers finally chose Barton.

This choice is expected.

After all, Crabbe has only been a rookie for one year, and his 42% three-point shooting rate is very objective. On the other hand, Barton has been ineffective after playing for two years. Even if the Nets don't trade him, it will be a matter of time before he leaves the team.

However, such a result made Tang Tian feel happy.

In his previous life, Crabbe's achievements were not as high as that of Button. After Button grew up, he also averaged close to 15+ points per game for several consecutive seasons. He was a proper bench gangster.

After the transaction is completed, Jones will look at the team's assets. He can see the vitality of the Nets with his naked eyes.

Because of Billy King, the Nets only have a second-round pick next year, but now, with the first round of the Blazers, and the second round of the Suns traded before, this year's draft will be able to do a lot. some time.

Moreover, he has been with Tang Tian for so long, and he knows Tang Tian's vision in drafting and judging people. These rookies and seemingly useless role players will definitely shine in the new season.

Negotiations between Jones and role players are continuing, but there is still a problem before Tang Tian's eyes. In the list he made, they are all functional or substitute players, and the Nets are still short of starters. Level power forward.

Pierce didn't want to stay in the Nets, which gave Tang Tian an extra middle-level player, but the middle-level player in the free agent market obviously couldn't sign players of this level. , and there is nothing too outstanding.