All-round Athlete

Chapter 937 Contract Renewal Meeting

The Lakers celebrated for several days before the players went on vacation. However, Zhang Guan was an exception. When the players began to enjoy their vacation, Zhang Guan sat in the conference room with the top management of the Lakers, and they wanted to discuss the future of the Lakers together.

"Zhang, we have to confirm one thing first. Are you going to continue to implement next year's contract?" Lakers general manager Kupchak asked, and everyone in the entire conference room looked at Zhang eagerly. crown.

What Zhang Guan signed is a two-year contract, 10 million US dollars a year, and the second year is a player option, which means that Zhang Guan can jump out of the contract in the second year and become a free agent.

Whether Zhang Guan will fulfill his second-year player option is crucial to the Lakers. This year's Lakers championship depends entirely on Zhang Guan. Whether Zhang Guan stays or not will directly affect the situation of the Lakers and even the entire NBA next season.

"There will be no major sports events next year, and I don't mind playing for another year," Zhang Guan said.

"That's great!" D'Antoni was the first to breathe a sigh of relief.

And Kupchak went on to say: "Since you are willing to stay, then next year, we will definitely build our team with you as the core. Another thing I want to tell everyone is that Nash has expressed to me the idea of ​​​​retiring." , If there is no accident, we will apply to the league in a few days. If Nash is willing, I think he can be given an assistant coach position."

"Nash is going to retire!" Everyone didn't seem to find it strange, but instead took it for granted.

Nash is already forty years old. In terms of age, he should also retire. What's more, Nash joined the Lakers at that time, nothing more than pursuing a championship ring to fill the regret of not winning multiple championships in his career. Now that the championship has been obtained, Nash has no need to continue playing with injuries. up.

Kupchak continued; "Nash has one year left on his contract, and the amount is $9.7 million. If he chooses to retire, our salary space for next season will be $9.7 million more. Kobe's salary next year is $23.5 million. , which is 7 million less than this year. Gasol’s contract of 19.29 million this year has also expired. In addition, there are Jordan Hill’s 3.56 million, Kaman’s 3.18 million, and other basic salary players. If it comes down, we have close to 40 million salary space to operate this year. Of course, this includes renewal players, so in theory, in addition to the normal renewal, we can also sign a first-class star."

"So does Gasol have the willingness to renew the contract?" Bass Jr. asked.

"I haven't talked to Gasol's agent yet, but I think it's not that difficult to renew the contract. Gasol has been in Los Angeles for six years, and we are still a competitive team, and there are still opportunities next year. It is very hopeful to win the championship, and Gasol should choose to stay." Kupchak said.

"Paul is already 34 years old!" Bass paused, and then continued; "Although I don't know how many years he can play, but he dedicated the best time of his career to our team. I think we should give him a lucrative long-term contract, what do you guys think?"

Although Bath Jr.'s management ability is far inferior to that of his father Bath Sr., and even his sister Jenny Buss, he is still very willing to spend money on the team. It's almost the same. No matter who is in charge of the Lakers, they are willing to spend money. It is normal for the Lakers to pay the luxury tax, so the Lakers can become a long-lasting giant.

If calculated according to the maximum salary, Gasol can sign a five-year contract with a starting salary of 20.64 million U.S. dollars and a total of 118 million U.S. dollars. However, Gasol will be 39 years old after five years. It is not worth more than 26 million US dollars a year, so it is impossible for Gasol to get such a high contract. According to the current situation of Gasol, the Lakers should be able to offer him a fully guaranteed contract of about US$100 million for five years. For the 34-year-old Gasol, this is definitely a humane pension contract.

Just listen to Kupchak continue to say; "We can talk about Gasol's appointment first. He has played for six years. We can use the Bird clause to renew the contract without worrying about salary cap restrictions. Before that We can try to sign free agents. In addition to Gasol, we should renew other players? Now in our team, only Kobe and Zhang Guan have guaranteed contracts."

"We just won the championship. I think there will be many people who want to seek big contracts! After all, players who have experience in the finals will double their value." Bass Jr. said.

"That's true." Kupchak nodded, and he continued: "Apart from the veterans, the only two people who clearly hope to stay are Nick Young and Whiteside."

Nick Young is a native of Los Angeles, so he is eager to stay in his hometown and play, even if he loses some money, he will not hesitate. What's more, Nick Young is also considered a celebrity in Los Angeles, and his endorsement income can make up for his loss of salary. If it is a different city, it may not have such a good business environment as Los Angeles.

As for "Whiteside" Whiteside, he has just returned to the NBA. Although he performed well in the playoffs, the performance time in a playoffs is still too short, and there is no shortage of blue-collar players in the league, so at this stage He mainly hopes to get a formal contract so that he can continue to stay in the NBA, and he doesn't care much about the amount of the contract.

"We can give Nick Young a four-year mid-level contract. He should accept it. He is from Los Angeles and wants to stay in Los Angeles. He will definitely not open his mouth. As for Whiteside, I think it can be given to him. A two-year basic salary, the second year is a team option." Kupchak said.

"I have other suggestions." Zhang Guan, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said: "I think Whiteside is a player with great potential. We can try to give him more salary and increase the number of years."

"Zhang, with all due respect, Whiteside is already 25 years old. How much potential can a 25-year-old player have to tap? What's more, there is no shortage of blue-collar workers in the league. Whiteside's character may become a player in the locker room. A ticking time bomb," Kupchak said.

After Whiteside returned to the NBA, the first thing he got was a basic salary of less than one million for two years. The Heat at the time were also not optimistic about his potential. They felt that it was impossible for a 25-year-old athlete to make any big progress, but they did not expect that Whiteside Bian averaged a double-double per game and won the block king. Then the Heat offered him the four-year 98 million contract in 2016. It is said that the Mavericks had offered him a five-year maximum salary of 130 million US dollars.

In the next four years, Whiteside will be on the rise, and even become the top center in the league, so using a long-term contract to tie up the white side is absolutely guaranteed to make money. As for four years later, if Whiteside is still outstanding, a giant like the Lakers should not be stingy with a big contract.

I only heard Zhang Guan continue to say: "Mitch (Kupchak), please believe in my vision, I think Whiteside is worthy of our cultivation. After all, he is a big man with excellent athletic ability. Such a player, It won't hurt to stay for a few more years."

"Mitch, let's do what Zhang wants! Give him a four-year contract with a total amount of less than 10 million." Little Bass said.

"Okay." Kupchak nodded. Whiteside's base salary is around $800,000 to $900,000. If he is given a four-year contract of $10 million, the starting salary is $2 million. Kupchak can't afford to quarrel with Zhang Guan because of the difference of $1 million. After all, Zhang Guan is the core of the team and one of the shareholders of the team.

Kupchak continued: "Kaman has made it clear that he wants to seek a big contract with an annual salary of tens of millions. I'm afraid we won't be able to keep him."

Kaman's salary this season is 3.18 million. The former All-Star center chose to join the Lakers at the beginning, also in order to play his worth and seek a big pension contract. Now that Kaman holds the championship ring, his net worth has increased greatly. What he longs for is a big contract with an annual salary of tens of millions, or a long-term contract with an annual salary of around 8 million. The Lakers are obviously unable to meet Kaman's request.

"It doesn't matter. Anyway, Kaman is not in our future plan. He is not suitable for my tactical system. Whiteside should be able to fill Kaman's blank." D'Antoni said.

In D'Antoni's tactical system, there is really little need for a bulky center like Kaman. In comparison, although Whiteside has no shooting ability, his athletic ability is what D'Antoni needs.

"In addition, Jordan Hill also hopes to get a big contract of more than 8 million. Meeks may ask for a salary above the middle class. Farmer probably will not accept the basic salary of a veteran. I will try to lower the price first. In comparison , It will be less difficult for Wesley Johnson to renew his contract, and a player like him will not have too high value in the free market." Kupchak said.

Wesley Johnson received the basic salary of a veteran this season. This kind of player is a bit too high to be low. His personal characteristics are not very obvious, and his efficiency is not very high. He is not very qualified as a 3D player. Weak, and as a substitute, the efficiency is not satisfactory. This kind of player is not very popular in the free market. Unless it is to cooperate with specific tactics, otherwise it will not be able to get a big contract.

In comparison, Meeks and Farmar both have more than 40% three-point shooting percentage, and are more popular in the free market. Like Meeks, although the defense is average, the offensive efficiency is very good. Now With the experience of the finals, it is not difficult to go to other teams to get a mid-level contract.

Farmar played in Turkey last year and just returned to the NBA last season. Although he has won many championships with the Lakers, he did not make a lot of money in his career, so now Farmar hopes to pursue a good job. The basic salary of a veteran is definitely not enough to satisfy him.

And Jordan Hill, a once-recognized potential stock, actually has no potential to tap. If this type of insider is cheap, some teams will need it, but if it is more expensive, no one will care about it.

Last season, Jordan Hill's annual salary was 3.56 million US dollars, which is considered a relatively normal worth. In the history of the Lakers, since Gasol switched to the Bulls, there were no more suitable candidates inside, so they offered Jordan Hill a fat contract of 18 million U.S. dollars for two years, which was more than Jordan Hill’s real worth. . But now, when there is no problem with Gasol's contract extension, it is definitely impossible for Jordan Hill to ask for a big contract from the Lakers.

"I plan to give Ci Shiping another year's basic salary as a veteran. We need his defense and experience. Marshall is a team option next season, and his contract is only 920,000, and it is still a non-guaranteed contract. We can lay off him at any time. I think he can execute his contract for next year first. As for Bazemore, I want to hear your opinions." Kupchak continued.

"Bazemore is a very good 3D player. His defense is what we need. I suggest giving him a four-year contract. We can accept it below the mini-middle class." Zhang Guan said.

"Mini middle class? Could it be a little taller?" Buss Jr. asked.

Bazemore's salary this season is a basic salary of 790,000 US dollars. The primary goal of this kind of player is to stay in the NBA. Although Bazemore's data in the Lakers is not bad, after all, he only played well in one season. According to Bazemore's performance, he will definitely have no problem staying in the NBA, but there will not be a lot of premium in terms of salary. What's more, Bazemore is still a guard. The most indispensable thing in the NBA is a guard. It is normal for guards to be priced down.

Historically, Bazemore didn't get a contract extension from the Lakers, and then went to the Eagles with an annual salary of 2 million, and then started from the bench, slowly playing up his worth, and finally got a four-year 70 million big contract . So Bazemore is definitely worth a mini-middle class.

"The mini-middle class is the upper limit. You can talk to Bazemore slowly, but I am more inclined to give him a long-term contract, such as 2+2, and the next two years are team options. I think if he is given a chance, He should be able to continue the current state." Zhang Guan said.

Kupchak glanced at Bass Jr., saw the other party nodded, and then said: "Okay, I will talk to Bazemore. I will continue to follow up on the renewal of other players, and I will also follow up." Keep in touch with everyone. The next topic is about the draft. We have a first-round pick this year! We haven’t had a first-round pick for a long time.”

Thanks to jeffreyjoshu for the 10,000-point reward!