Zhao Feiyang asked Pat Riley. Instead of answering directly, he stood up and took out a document from the drawer of his desk.
It seems that he was prepared for it. Pat Riley also specially prepared a Chinese version of this contract. He handed both copies to Zhao Feiyang, and then sat on the sofa and drank coffee while waiting for Zhao Feiyang's reaction.
Zhao Feiyang was not impatient. He took the contract in his hand and looked through it carefully, especially the Chinese version. He read it very seriously.
"$10 million over three years?"
"The first-year contract is 2 million, the second-year contract is also 2 million, and the third-year contract is 6 million... In addition, the Heat have a team option for the third year..."
When he saw these conditions, Zhao Feiyang remained calm on the surface, but deep down he was already in turmoil.
In his opinion, this contract extension is simply bullshit!
Not only did the salary decrease in the first and second years, but in the third year, the Heat had team options, which meant that they could renew their contract or trade themselves. In short, the initiative was still in their hands.
As if guessing that Zhao Feiyang might not be satisfied with such a contract, Heat general manager Pat Riley also complained.
"Zhao, in fact, with your ability, it is not a problem to give you 5 million US dollars per year... You are a very good guy... However, you are too old, you will soon At the age of 30, this is fatal for any professional player. Even superstars will reach a watershed in their careers at this age..."
"I really hope to give you a big contract, but the Heat are not in a good situation now... You know, the salaries of the Big Three occupy most of the team's salary space. If I offer you a big contract in the first two years, If the price is too high, I'm afraid the team will pay a lot of luxury tax..."
"Of course, this is the team's problem, and I feel very sorry... The more important reason is that we hope to find more helpers. Only when the team continues to reach the finals will the overall interests of the team be achieved." More, and every player will benefit..."
"Maybe the money is very small, but I believe that with your ability and the exposure you will get in Miami, many sponsors will definitely find you. At that time, your annual endorsement contract will definitely exceed the team's opening The salary paid......"
Pat Riley sounded serious and thoughtful, and kept comforting Zhao Feiyang with an elder's tone, which seemed very easy to move.
Zhao Feiyang did not answer in a hurry, but took a sip of coffee, shook his head and sighed.
No matter what Pat Riley's tactics are, he knows very well that there is a problem with the Heat's salary allocation.
The Big Three account for almost 70% to 80% of the Heat's salary expenditures. Among them, LeBron James and Chris Bosh signed 6-year, 110 million contracts, and Dwyane Wade also Signed a six-year, $108 million contract.
This season, LeBron James' salary is as high as 19.07 million US dollars, Chris Bosh's salary is the same, and Dwyane Wade is slightly less, but it also reaches a terrifying US$18.67 million.
Apart from the three of them, the team's highest-paid player is veteran Udonis Haslem, who only earns US$4.34 million, and the other player who earns US$4 million is Mario Chalmers.
Under these two players, none of them have reached US$4 million. There are only three players with more than US$3 million, and the rest are mostly more than US$1 million, and even have non-guaranteed contracts of US$100,000.
However, the luxury tax threshold this season is US$71.48 million, and the salaries of the Big Three alone total US$56.81 million.
The threshold for the luxury tax next season will not change much, but the salaries of the Big Three will not be reduced. Therefore, it is actually not easy to strengthen the lineup with more than 10 million in salary space.
The Heat have already paid more than $10 million in luxury taxes this season. If they fail to reach the Finals and win the championship, will the team owner still be willing to pay those luxury taxes next season?
This serious problem is before us, and it definitely takes time for the Heat to solve it. Otherwise, the Heat may not be able to maintain enough competitiveness to compete for the championship.
"Mr. Pat, I know the Heat's situation is not easy...but as you said, I am about to turn 30, and at this age I am afraid I will not have a few years left in my career. Shouldn't I take advantage of this opportunity?" Do you want to make more money at this time to plan for retirement?"
Zhao Feiyang asked rhetorically.
His question also made Pat Riley fall into silence.
After a while, Pat Riley responded, "Let's do it! Let's all take a step back. I know it's not easy for you, but I also hope you can understand the team's difficulties..."
"The team will still sign a three-year contract with you, with $3 million in the first year, another $3 million in the second year, and $6 million in the third year, a total of 12 million... Of course, in the third year There can’t be too many team options...”
Zhao Feiyang did not agree with Pat Riley's idea.
Firstly, he doesn't think he is worth US$3 million. Secondly, can the Big Three play for three years? Can the Heat guarantee championship competitiveness in these three years? What if the Big Three disband or someone runs away after one or two seasons?
These unknown things are always unpredictable.
More importantly, the conditions for the team option are very demanding, completely giving the initiative to the Heat.
There is no shortage of various examples in the league. For example, some players are initially favored by the team, but once they are no longer needed, the team will find ways to hide him so that he cannot maintain a good competitive state. Without good performance, it will naturally be difficult for players to gain a foothold in the league.
At this time, the home team will try to discuss with the player and force the player to leave through a buyout.
In this case, many players will give up some money in order to escape from this "magic cave" to achieve the goal of leaving smoothly.
Zhao Feiyang didn't want to get to that point.
"Sorry, Mr. Pat, I can't agree with the conditions you proposed... and it's actually too early to talk about the contract now. It's better to wait until the end of the season! I think we all have time to sit down and take it easy at that time. Discuss this matter..."
When Pat Riley saw Zhao Feiyang acting like this, he really couldn't force it.
"All right!"
"Then let's wait until the season is over!"
Zhao Feiyang left quickly.
After he left, Pat Riley's smiling face instantly froze, replaced by coldness and displeasure. He sat in his office chair and thought for a long time, then picked up the phone on the table and dialed a series of numbers.
"Hello!"
"Eric, this is Pat! Are you still on the team? I need you to come to my office...I have something very important to discuss with you..."
"Yes! No matter what you are doing...come here right now..."
