After Kevin Durant decided to join the Golden State Warriors, the entire league did not stop. Instead, various clubs began to prepare plans for next season.
Teams in the playoffs are starting to recruit for reinforcements, while teams at the bottom of the pile continue to mess up and pack up non-performing assets, even more thoroughly than before.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning one championship is nothing but continuing to win the next championship.
Because they won the championship this time, the Timberwolves can be said to have made a lot of money this season. Compared with previous seasons, both attendance and peripheral product sales have improved significantly.
In particular, the various cooperations brought by Zhao Feiyang have added many more audiences to the Chinese market and even the Asian market, which has also indirectly helped the Timberwolves gain a lot of revenue.
Therefore, the Timberwolves' management almost unanimously approved the plan to continue to increase spending next season. Shareholders and owners changed their previous attitudes and became very positive.
As businessmen, they also tasted the sweetness from the Timberwolves winning the championship, and saw many possibilities that they had never had before.
Since the expenditure is increased, it is of course important to choose reinforcements.
For the Timberwolves, replenishing the lineup is completely necessary.
Especially after the Golden State Warriors signed Kevin Durant, if they don't choose to strengthen, the team is likely to be defeated by the Warriors next season.
Everyone knows this!
However, before the official reinforcements, the Timberwolves also received not-so-good news.
One evening, the team's main guard Kevin Martin held a party in the mansion. He invited many people from the Timberwolves, from the management to the staff to his teammates. Almost everyone was invited here. .
And when everyone had arrived and the banquet reached its climax, Martin finally stood up and expressed his thoughts.
"Everyone, I have something to say."
Martin picked up the microphone under everyone's gaze. As soon as he spoke, everyone else stopped talking and focused their attention on him.
His teammates didn't know what kind of medicine he was selling in his gourd, but they all looked at him with smiles, trying to see what he was going to say.
Only the team's head coach Norman Thomas seemed to know something. He sighed softly, then stood aside and shook his head.
"Thank you all for coming, but tonight is not just for relaxing, I also want to announce something here..."
"As we all know, my contract expires at the end of this season! Frankly speaking, I didn't like a team like the Timberwolves at the beginning. I don't know so many people here, and I don't have so many friends. The football here is... The team atmosphere is also different from the teams I have been in before..."
"However, as time went by, I made many friends. From the management to the staff, there were very good guys who had friendships with me... Later, when Zhao came to the team, I had the least hope. The team also started to perform well..."
As Martin spoke, he looked at Zhao Feiyang gratefully.
"Frankly speaking, I never thought I could really win the championship in my life! This is the most glorious experience in my life. It happened here, in this city that moved me..."
"I'm very grateful to Zhao, and I'm very grateful to my teammates, and even more grateful to all the Timberwolves employees...Thank you for making my memories fun..."
When Martin said this, tears were already streaming down his face. He tried hard to suppress his emotions, but he still couldn't cry.
Zhao Feiyang on the side saw this and walked up to him and gave him a hug to express his comfort.
Martin happily high-fived Zhao Feiyang, but continued talking without stopping.
"Actually, I would like to continue playing for a few more seasons, but I have to admit that I am old now and can hardly keep up with the pace of young people..."
"I thought about this problem when I entered the league. If one day I can no longer run, then before I can no longer run completely, I will choose to retire... In this way, at least for everyone In my impression, I am still the same Kevin Martin who can shoot three-pointers..."
"Instead of an old guy who even needs help on defense..."
When the words of retirement came out, the whole scene exploded.
Martin had not mentioned it to other teammates before and rarely expressed his thoughts to the outside world. Speaking it out in front of so many people this time really surprised many people.
His current physical condition may be far inferior to that of his peak, but it does not mean that he is completely unable to play. According to his current value, there is no problem in renewing a two- to three-year veteran contract with the team.
"Oh! No! Kevin is only 33 years old! He can definitely play for another two years..."
"What a shame! He just helped the team win the championship..."
Many people shook their heads and sighed.
Just as they thought, Martin is definitely not incapable of achieving any results now.
He is still averaging 10.6 points per game this season, and his performance in the playoffs is still acceptable. If placed on most teams in the league, he can definitely play for another year or two.
"You don't have to try to keep me, really, don't do this. The reason why I didn't mention it to anyone is that I'm afraid your trying to keep me will make me change my mind..."
Martin was already crying at this time, and his tears couldn't stop falling. Perhaps he was thinking about his career of so many years, or he was reluctant to leave the league he had played in for more than ten years. In short, he could no longer control his sad emotions. .
After a while, he forced a smile and spoke again, "This is what I want to announce today... Let's have fun! Don't let things like this stop us from doing what we have to do. ....."
"Tonight, here, I hope everyone can stay drunk and not go home..."
The whole crowd cheered again.
After a brief period of disappointment and regret, people also showed respect for Martin's decision. Many people clapped spontaneously, and even Zhao Feiyang, who was standing aside, clapped seriously in response.
By the time the speech was over, the scene had returned to its lively state.
Martin did not leave here, but called Zhao Feiyang beside him to a secluded place.
"Zhao, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I didn't discuss it with you in advance... I won't be able to fight with you next season! Man, you should find someone to take my place as soon as possible!"
"Zhao, I am honored to play with you. I will remember the days when we fought together... You will always be my brother..."
