On June 13, 1996, Whitcht did not attend the celebrations the next day and was busy at work.
There is not much to do in the draft. The Sonics have the last pick, and there is nothing to choose from even in a big year.
The main task was to renew the contract. He had already invited Rodman's agent, Manley, and the two communicated for a while before settling the contract.
The SuperSonics offered a five-year veteran's contract worth $22 million. In addition, the team promised to provide Rodman with a sponsorship contract worth up to $3 million, which adds up to an annual salary of 5 million. The key is that it lasts about five years.
"Iron Fist hopes to have a stable lineup. Including Dennis, we have three main players who want to renew their contracts, so Mr. Manley, we have to use this method to make up for Dennis's contract shortfall."
"Mr. Whitsitt, can we really get the sponsorship contract?" Manley asked seriously.
"Of course, we now have many big sponsors, and Dennis is also the second-in-command of our team, so we will definitely be able to handle it. And Dennis is quite popular, he has a lot of personality." Whitsitt assured.
"OK."
Manley simply agreed.
He knew that Rodman wanted to stay by Iron Fist's side and didn't want to leave at all.
There are three most important reasons. First, Iron Fist is indeed a good boss. Second, being around Iron Fist has attracted a lot of attention, which has brought Rodman a lot of business benefits. Finally, Rodman has made a lot of money by investing with Iron Fist last year. , so in fact, even if the contract is smaller, Rodman has already said it and can agree to it.
After settling Rodman's contract extension, Whitchet began to consider the contract extensions of Schrempf and Gilliam.
During the season, they had already discussed the contract extension issue with their agents. The two main players both wanted a big contract, and like Rodman, they both wanted a long-term contract of more than three years. .
Schrempf is 33 years old and Gilliam is 32 years old. They are both facing a decline in form, especially Gilliam. He is 206 centimeters tall and plays center, which is very taxing on the body. Although he has not suffered any major injuries in the past two years, , but there are also minor injuries. Schrempf plays small forward, which requires much less physical exertion and is healthier.
The first thing he has to consider now is to defend the title next season. A stable lineup is a must. If these two players can maintain their form this season next season, it is not impossible to stay, but he can only give them three years at most. Contracts.
But he still prefers to let Gilliam go. With Gilliam's state this season, averaging 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the finals, there must be a team willing to give him a good contract.
He decided to talk to Schrempf's agent first. Schrempf's contract extension was for 4 years and 20 million U.S. dollars. He was willing to give a 3-year contract of 15 million U.S. dollars. The annual salary would change, but the amount would be less. One year.
On the evening of the 14th, Schrempf ended today's celebration and returned home, where his agent Karl was already waiting for him.
"What treatment did the management give me?" he asked immediately before sitting down.
"Detrev, Whitsitt offered a three-year, 15 million contract with no increase in annual salary, and it was only for three years. I rejected it for the time being." Karl said.
Schrempf sat silently on the sofa, and his wife poured him a cup of coffee.
"Thanks!"
He took it and took a sip, and said: "I renewed my contract in 1994 for 10 million US dollars in two years. I won two championships and my annual salary has not increased at all. Does he think I am too old?"
"It is indeed based on this consideration. He told me clearly that you, Gilliam, and Rodman are exactly 100 years old together, and they will be 103 years old next season. He is very worried that the lineup is too aging and will affect next year's title defense." Karl said.
Schrempf fell silent again. He didn't want to leave Seattle. It was a good place. He liked this city. The important thing was that he had won everything here.
Taking into account other factors, such as off-site commercial income, if you leave Seattle, there will definitely be little left of these commercial income.
Another example is that because of his success here, he has become the most successful star in the German basketball world. Now he is as well-known in Germany as the football and tennis superstars, which gives him a great sense of accomplishment.
Finally he decided and said to Karl: "I want to stay here to complete my career, and I also want to complete a three-peat dynasty with Iron Fist. That will be a very great achievement. Karl, promise him. .”
"OK."
Karl didn't stop him. Schrempf is indeed 33 years old. If he were a few years younger, he would definitely encourage him to leave here. There is no need now. If he goes to other teams, the contract offered will not be much better than this. It is worse than this. stay.
After receiving Karl's reply, Whitsitt immediately thanked him and Schrempf and expressed the hope that Schrempf could retire with the SuperSonics.
Next, he started working on Gilliam's contract.
Gilliam is 32 years old. His annual salary this season is US$1.92 million. He wants a five-year long-term contract, at least four years, with an average annual salary of US$4 million.
To be honest, Whitsitt thinks this asking price is too high. The risk of being stuck is very high. Given Gilliam's current age and physical condition, it is not cost-effective.
He offered Gilliam's agent a three-year, $9 million contract, but it was rejected, and Gilliam chose to enter the free market.
In addition to these three people's contracts, there are also veterans McMillan and Vincenzo Estiu, as well as Earvin Johnson.
McMillan is a rookie with the SuperSonics. He has been playing in the SuperSonics and has designated to retire here. Now he is close to retirement, but he still wants to play for two more years, especially to participate in the establishment of three consecutive championship dynasties. The renewal contract requirements and not tall.
He offered a two-year contract worth $4 million, with $1.3 million in the first year and $2.7 million in the second year. If he couldn't win the contract in the second year, he would buy out the contract directly. McMillan readily agreed.
As for Aisi Qiu, they communicated during the season and the team was unable to give him a satisfactory contract. He has stated that he will leave the SuperSonics and enter the free market.
As for Earvin Johnson, he has no strength. Now that he has won the championship, the second contract will definitely be significantly improved, so he is ready to give up.
Next, his job is to find one or two inside players to fill Gilliam's vacancy and continue to strengthen the inside line. As well as finding some role players and marginal players to replace some of the current players.
At 5 pm on the 14th, the Chicago Bulls held a press conference. Phil Jackson resigned as the Bulls' general manager, but retained his position as head coach. The general manager position was retaken by Jerry Krause.
This news caused both Phil Jackson and Jordan to be ridiculed by the media.
The first thing Jerry Krause did when he took office was to contact Rodman's agent Manley, and then he got the news that Rodman would complete his contract extension with the SuperSonics, which made him very disappointed.
Looking back, he immediately began to contact Glider Drexler, hoping that Glider would go to the Bulls to serve as Jordan's substitute, but he was only willing to offer a veteran contract. Glider did not consider it at all and directly asked his agent to refuse.
This was as expected by Klaus. Glider and Jordan were mortal enemies, and the possibility of joining the Bulls was too slim.
The person he really likes is not the glider who is in poor condition, but the super center Dream.
Unfortunately, Dameng still has one year of contract, and Mosaic will not trade Dameng at all. He can only persuade Dameng's agent Dan Fagan to try to get Dameng to propose a trade.
According to his analysis, Dameng should have the idea of leaving Houston and even the Western Conference for the sake of the championship.
That night, Dan Fagan came to Dameng's house.
"You mean bull?"
Dameng was surprised that the bull actually took advantage of him?
He immediately asked, "Dan, do you think management will trade me?"
Denver Gen smiled bitterly and shook his head: "You are Alexander's cash cow. You and Barkley are both very popular. He will not trade either of you. He is the kind of person who can give up the championship in order to make money. This You know."
Dameng fell silent and asked after a long time: "Dan, what do you think I should do?"
"It depends on what you want," Fagan said.
"Of course it's the championship, I'm going crazy." When he mentioned the championship, Dameng's eyes were shining.
"Then propose a deal. If you are still at the end of your peak, there is still a chance." Fagan said.
Dameng was silent for another two minutes, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "Dan, I leave it to you."
"good."
Dan Fagan did not delay and immediately stood up and said: "I will contact Dawson now."
"OK."
Dameng nodded.
The team has just changed its general manager. Carroll Dawson, who has been an assistant coach for 16 years, is the general manager. He is very familiar with this old man and has a very good relationship with him because Mr. Dawson taught him his dream pace. his.
Old Dawson is very capable, but the boss is unwilling to take money. He believes that Dawson cannot solve the current team's problems.
The current lineup can actually be strengthened. Through the middle-level regulations and some other special cases, it can exceed
The salary cap is several million dollars, but Alexander doesn’t want to take out the money at all. He just wants to take money from the team and put it into his own pocket. Therefore, the team cannot strengthen it at all now. If it can strengthen it, it would have been strengthened last season. .
"What?"
When Dawson received Fagan's call, he was shocked and his head immediately became big. He did not expect that such a thing would happen as soon as he took office.
He immediately called Dameng's personal phone number, and Dameng didn't refuse and answered the call.
"Hakim, listen to me, can you calm down and think about this issue again?..."
"Carol, it's the bull that's looking for me."
"Impossible. You still have one year of contract worth 9.66 million US dollars. Are the Bulls going to trade you with Jordan? Otherwise they will have to empty out at least half of their lineup, otherwise there will be no salary space to accommodate you."
"this?"
"Also, even if I agree to you, what bargaining chips do you think I will ask for? Pippen is indispensable, and it is absolutely impossible for me to only need a few marginal and role players.
The Bulls don't have Pippen, so half of their perimeter defense will collapse, and they have to find another reliable point guard. But which point guard in the world dares to face an iron fist holding the ball? "
"How about, Carol, you talk to Klaus? Carol, you know, I have worked hard for so many years and just want a championship, but here, I don't see any hope at all. I want Go east and try your luck.”
Dawson over there was silent for a long time and said, "The boss won't agree."
"I insist."
Dawson was silent for another long time and then said: "I will talk to the boss, but Hakeem, if you really want to go to the Bulls, I can tell you for sure that after the transaction, there will be nothing left of the Bulls, you and Jordan." Can't beat the Sonics."
Dameng was also silent for a while. He also knew that even if he was traded, the Bulls would have to pay a very high price to get him. No one could say what lineup would be left by then.
But he still wanted to take a gamble on Jerry Krause's abilities.
Early in the morning on the 15th, Houston TV broke the news that super center Olajuwon proposed a trade to the team. It was even revealed that the trading team was the Chicago Bulls who had just lost the Finals.
"The super center is going to the Bulls, and the era of teamwork has arrived." Los Angeles Times.
"The era of Iron Fist King dominating the Western Conference has arrived. Super center Olajuwon is about to leave the Eastern Conference for the championship." New York Times.
This news shocked the entire league and the United States, and countless media rushed to report it.
"Mr. Falk, was it Michael Jordan who recruited Big Dream?"
Many reporters contacted Jordan by phone, but were unable to contact him. They could only contact his agent David Falk.
"NO, Michael did not recruit anyone, it was Mr. Jerry Krause's choice." Falk said briefly.
At this time, Jordan was talking to Dameng on the phone.
"Hakeem, I talked with that fat guy Klaus, and he assured me that after the trade, we will re-create a championship-winning lineup."
"But Mr. Dawson also said that he wants at least one Pippen."
"This is a headache. Pippen can't leave. Let's leave this matter to Klaus."
The phone call between the two lasted for several minutes, and Jordan was a little irritable after hanging up the phone.
He wants to get Dameng. Dameng is in pretty good shape and is still at the end of his peak. With Dameng's strength, there will be no problem in three years and he can deal with the SuperSonics insiders.
But he doesn't want to lose Pippen, otherwise the Bulls' perimeter will be useless if they rely on him, especially the No. 1 position, which will be too troublesome.
With Pippen around, it would be impossible for Iron Fist to lock down the Bulls' organizational capabilities.
But besides Pippen, do the Bulls have any trading chips? No, this is what makes him irritated.
"Ding ding..."
As soon as Dameng put down the phone over there, the call came in again, it was Barkley.
"Hakeem, you hooked up with Michael without saying a word?" Buckley yelled.
"Charles, Mosaic will be left to you. You are now the boss of this team." Dameng was silent for a while and then said.
"You bastard! I want to leave too, I, I..."
Buckley cursed, but for a moment, he didn't know where to go.
The big dream is to go to the Bulls. There is no chance to play brother basketball with the Bulls. I can only go to... the SuperSonics? Thinking of this, his face kept turning red, and he didn't even know when he hung up the phone.
Glider saw the news from the media and remained silent for a long time.
Unlike Dameng and Barkley, he is already a free agent. Dawson is contacting his agent, hoping that he will renew his contract at a low salary to give the team room to strengthen.
And this news completely made up his mind.
He thought about Iron Fist's previous recruitment. Regardless of whether Iron Fist was real or not, his relationship with Iron Fist was still okay.
Then I thought of yesterday's news. SuperSonics substitute guard Aisi Qiu has announced that he will enter the free market.
Although he is excited, there is also something that makes him hesitate, that is, if he really goes to the SuperSonics, he will definitely compete with Jose Hawkins for the main shooting guard position. He is the main shooting guard of the championship, can he compete?
(End of chapter)
