Chapter 16: The Bulls Want to Poach
At this time, the Magic kicked off and head coach Matt Guokas called a timeout.
"Shaq, take a rest." After the players came down, he said to O'Neal.
O'Neal sat on the bench, panting, and touched his heaving chest, feeling as if a tractor had just run over it.
The excitement of smashing the backboard just now has completely disappeared, leaving only anger and some confusion.
He didn't expect to be dunked on by that perverted Chinese coolie today. This was an absolute humiliation for him.
He did not admit the previous dunk over Barkley, but he had no reason to deny this dunk even if he wanted to.
In fact, this dunk felt more humiliating than the first time he was dunked by Derrick Foreman, because this dunk was done in a losing situation, while Foreman dunked on him without any confrontation.
“Damn it!”
He suddenly squeezed his big hands, and with a "swish" sound, the white towel was torn into two pieces.
On the other side, Wang Tiejun returned to the bench triumphantly, head held high, like a great general returning to court.
"Boss, are you serious? A fully guaranteed contract?" he asked again.
"Yes, a fully guaranteed contract. You have to stay with the Suns, stay in Phoenix."
Colangelo smiled and patted Comrade Lao Wang's arm, nodded and said, "Don't worry, Lao K, I will give you a contract that will satisfy you."
“Will it exceed the base salary?”
Comrade Lao Wang asked excitedly and ignorantly.
"Basic salary?"
The noise was too loud, and Colangelo didn't hear clearly. He thought Lao Wang wanted a basic salary, so he quickly shook his head and said, "Of course not."
"No, okay then."
Lao Wang nodded a little disappointedly, but soon he became excited again, because the basic salary was not bad, 140,000 US dollars a year, which was worth 1.1 million RMB, an annual salary of one million, he was going to get rich.
"It would be great if I could evade taxes. Working illegally has its advantages as I don't have to pay taxes." Thinking of having to pay a lot of taxes, he felt pain not only in his liver but also in his heart, and all over his body.
Scratching his head, Colangelo began to consider what kind of contract he should give to Wang Tiejun?
The contract of No. 1 pick O'Neal with the Magic is $17.4 million for four years, the contract of No. 2 pick Alonzo Mourning is $14 million for four years, and the contract of No. 3 pick Laettner is $12 million for four years. With the strength and potential shown by Wang Tiejun, he certainly cannot get a contract of this level.
However, he certainly cannot take a too bad contract, because if the contract is too bad, once Wang Tiejun becomes successful in the future, he will not be able to stay. No one is willing to play for a stingy boss, especially capable players.
He must offer a contract that matches Wang Tiejun's status, so he now has to re-evaluate Wang Tiejun's potential.
Head coach Paul Westphal came over and whispered, "Boss, you're not really going to just give him a minimum salary, are you? What if another team offers a higher salary?
This is possible. For example, the Bulls, like us, have never had a good center. He may be poached in the blink of an eye."
Colangelo was stunned and said in surprise: "Paul, do you think I am that stingy? I admit that I underestimated him before, but not now."
"That's good, we need him."
Paul Westphal said excitedly: "If we can strengthen the five position, our lineup will be very strong and we can even challenge for the championship."
"Yes Yes……"
Colangelo nodded excitedly and said, "Don't worry, I won't let him get poached. I picked him up from the street and he trusts me very much."
This game was broadcast live across the United States by ABC TV, and the ratings were very good, especially after O'Neal smashed the backboard, the ratings soared. Many professionals were watching this game, including the Bulls' general manager Jerry Krause.
Under the leadership of Jordan, the Bulls have won two consecutive championships, and the dynasty has reached the most critical moment of the third consecutive championship.
But the Bulls' lineup is flawed. Beat Cartwright, who has served as the main center for five consecutive seasons, is already 35 years old and has entered the end of his career. His form continues to decline this season, with only 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds, and he has no defensive ability. The center position has become a huge weakness for the Bulls.
He drooled as he watched the No. 1 pick O'Neal's amazing performance on both offense and defense, especially the shot that broke the backboard. He wished he could get into the TV and drag O'Neal out.
But he knew that the Bulls could never have O'Neal, the Magic were not stupid enough to trade a future super center, and he did not have enough chips to trade unless he used Jordan, so he could only watch with envy.
"What?"
At this moment, he saw that the Chinese rookie, who was called a perverted coolie by the media, actually defeated O'Neal in the low-post confrontation and then dunked over O'Neal head-on.
Although Wang Tiejun had dunked over super center Ewing the day before yesterday, he thought that dunk was a bit lucky. It was a second attack and Ewing was not well prepared, so he did not take it seriously.
But this time, when he dunked over O'Neal, he was truly crushing the opponent in the low post without any tricks.
"How can this be?"
"Jerry, what's going on?"
He suddenly stood up from the sofa, scaring his wife next to him.
"Sorry, honey, I'm fine."
He quickly walked to the side, picked up the phone and called his assistant Ross Robert.
"Hello..."
"Rose, check the Suns' next away game and book a flight for me. I want to be there tomorrow." He said quickly as soon as the call was connected.
"Next away game? Mr. Krause, I understand what you mean. I'm watching this game, too. Do you want that Chinese guy?"
Ross on the other side reacted quickly and spoke immediately.
"It's good that you understand. Colangelo only gave him a short contract, which means that the Suns don't value him and only want to use him for a while. We have a chance to dig him over."
Klaus said excitedly.
Rose was silent for a moment and reminded, "Sir, in the attack just now, he has shown his potential in low-post offense. Do you think the Suns will not change their attitude? The Suns may only need a minimum salary to sign him. Even if you get on the plane now, you will not be able to catch up."
"Oops!"
Klaus felt a buzz in his heart.
At this time, Ross said again: "But we still have a chance."
"Hurry up and tell me." Klaus perked up and urged.
"Sir, as far as I know, we have a scout in Orlando. We can let him contact that Chinese pervert, no, the Chinese player. But, sir, you have to give us our conditions," said Rose.
"Very good!"
Jerry Krause said excitedly, "Tell our scouts that we can offer this year's lottery pick a contract with a starting salary of $800,000 in the first year. My bottom line is $1 million, and it cannot exceed $1.2 million at most, and it cannot be less than a four-year contract period. In addition, the annual contract increase will not be less than 20%."
"OK, I understand. I'll contact them right away. Also, I'll book the fastest flight to Philadelphia as soon as possible, as that's where their next away game will be." Rose said with a smile.
At the game, the timeout ended, but O'Neal did not return to the court. The Suns also let Wang Tiejun sit on the bench. The two did not get up again until the end of the first quarter.
At this moment, on the east stand, the pager on the waist of a middle-aged black man suddenly rang and vibrated.
"Call back quickly, Assistant General Manager Ross."
After taking a look, he quickly got up and left the stands, found a pay phone in the gymnasium, and called Ross.
