Chapter 19 Signing a $8 million contract
Speaking of which, Wang Tiejun is in a bit of a state of mind now. When he was in Cangzhou Sports School, he was the team's top scoring point, often scoring 30+40+. But tonight, he played for such a long time and only got a pitiful 3 points. With this performance, he is too embarrassed to go back to the sports school. Can he still get the contract?
"Old K, you did a good job tonight."
Head coach Paul Westphal caught up from behind and said to Wang Tiejun with a smile.
“Am I doing well?”
The less experienced Lao Wang felt that his IQ was insulted. That pervert O'Neal scored 20+10. We are both rookies, so am I not bad ?
"Good job, Old K."
At this time, Colangelo also followed and spoke to him with the same smile.
“Is it really good?”
He had great trust in Colangelo and was beginning to believe him.
"Kevin, how did I do?" he turned to Kevin Johnson.
Kevin Johnson is not as ignorant as him. He is a superstar and can certainly see his value in this game. He nodded and smiled, "Old K, you did perform well tonight."
"Hey, rookie, good game tonight."
At this time, Barkley, who had just finished an on-site interview, rushed up from behind and said to him with a smile on his face.
"Ha ha……"
Three people make a tiger. Now he believed it and became excited. He said with a smile on his face: "Yes, I think so too."
After returning to the locker room, Wang Tiejun sat down and leaned against the wardrobe. As soon as he relaxed, he felt extremely tired. He had consumed a lot of energy and his whole body was sore. He didn't want to move a finger.
This is because O'Neal did not confront him later. If he really confronted him throughout the whole court and did the same in every offensive and defensive round, his physical strength would not be able to withstand such an intense 30 minutes, and it would be difficult for him to survive even two quarters.
I lifted up the jersey and looked at his chest. There were large bruises and many red marks, and the same was true on his back.
The bruises were left from the confrontation with O'Neal. Although he made O'Neal suffer a great loss, he also suffered on the defensive end.
O'Neal's explosive power is very strong, and he can burst out more power than himself in the offense. If he hadn't used the Iron Mountain to rely on his strength, he would be unstoppable.
It's just that he had been practicing Tieshan Leo since he was a child, and had medicinal oil to practice with, so his injury was not as serious as O'Neal's.
As for these red marks, they were caused by O'Neal's elbows. The fat guy also did a lot of tricks.
He also learned to return a few elbows, but his technique was not good enough and was noticed by the referee. After receiving two fouls, he dared not elbow again for fear of being penalized, and suffered a lot at the hands of O'Neal.
Before taking a shower, we had a post-match summary in the locker room.
Head coach Paul Westphal praised Wang Tiejun for his hard work in the game, which made Mark West a little dissatisfied.
But he returned today and only played for 6 minutes, with all his statistics being almost zero, so he has no right to speak.
As for Oliver Miller, he was beaten to pieces by O'Neal and had lost all confidence.
When the two saw Lao Wang being praised by the head coach, they looked unhappy.
After taking a shower, Barkley, Kevin Johnson, and Dan Maalley, who scored 28 points tonight, went to the post-game press conference , and the remaining players also had post-game locker room interviews.
Comrade Lao Wang had his highlight moments in this game and was favored by media reporters. Several reporters squatted in front of him.
"Wang, tell us about that dunk over O'Neal. How did you do it?" a reporter asked.
Wang Tiejun smiled and said, "That's easy for me. Tonight, under O'Neal's abnormal defense, I got close to the basket at least fifteen times, and he couldn't stop me."
"But he blew you to pieces." said the reporter.
"But we won, which means he didn't help his team. No matter how good his statistics are, it's useless." Wang Tiejun's rebuttal made the reporter shut up.
"Rookie, that's called an empty cut."
Danny Ainge on the other side laughed.
"Yes, air cut."
Lao Wang also said with a smile.
It was almost twelve o'clock when the team returned to the hotel.
Colangelo called Wang Tiejun to his room, placed the prepared contract in front of him, and said with a smile: "Old K, take a look. If there is anything you are not satisfied with, we can still talk about it."
Then he explained: "Don't worry, the player contract is in four copies, one for you, one for the team, one for the league, and one for the players' union. It is supervised by the league and the union, and there will be no trap clauses or clauses that violate league rules, otherwise it will be invalid."
"Yes, sir."
Lao Wang happily began to look through the contract and first took a look at the contract amount.
He didn't tell anyone that the Bulls were looking for him. He had already decided that he would stay with the Suns even if the Suns offered him a minimum salary.
If for no other reason than the kindness of a wise man who recognized and appreciated my talent.
In fact, he also felt that his current strength was far from enough and did not understand why the Bulls gave him such a high contract.
Anyway, a basic salary is enough for him to solve the financial problems of his family. When his strength improves and he gets the second contract, he can ask for an equal contract based on his strength.
However, when he turned to that item, he was stunned.
The contract was for 3+1 years, with the last year being a team option. He didn't quite understand the significance of this, but the amount behind it almost dislocated his jaw.
The starting salary in the first year was as high as 1.4 million US dollars, with an annual increase of 30%. The starting salary in the next three years was 1.82 million, 2.36 million and 3.06 million respectively, and the total contract amount reached 8.64 million US dollars.
"This, this, so much money? Sir, didn't you say you would give me a basic salary?" He asked stutteringly, his eyes almost falling out.
"Who said we're going to give a minimum salary?" Colangelo asked in surprise.
Wang Tiejun stammered, "Uh, sir, the Bulls only gave me a starting salary of 800,000, or at most 1.2 million. Why are you offering me so much?"
"What, the Bull is looking for you?" Colangelo was so surprised that he stood up.
Lao Wang said awkwardly: "Well, at halftime, one of their scouts came to me and said that the Bulls' general manager would be waiting for me in Philadelphia tomorrow."
Colangelo stared at Wang Tiejun blankly for a long time before asking, "Since you thought I was giving you a base salary, why were you willing to sign?"
Wang Tiejun chuckled and said, "Mr. Colangelo, you took me away from Chinatown and helped me get a formal job in the United States. I no longer have to be afraid of the police, and you solved my financial problems. It's a great favor to have you help me. I can't leave the Suns just for money."
Colangelo was stunned again, then burst into laughter, patted Wang Tiejun on the shoulder, and sighed: "Old K , play well in the Suns. I promise to give you a good contract. You will get the best training in the Suns. This is your home team."
Afterwards, he took the initiative to change the team option for the last year to a player option, and then the two sides signed the contract.
This contract far exceeds Oliver Miller's contract. Combined with Colangelo's statement, this also means that Wang Tiejun will be the Suns' first choice for training at the five position.
In other words, whether it is playing time, shots, ball possession, etc., they will all be given priority.
Especially when there is no one available at the center position for the Suns, he has almost secured the starting position at center.
After sending Wang Tiejun away, Colangelo went to see head coach Paul Westphal and talked to him about the issue of the team's main center.
He clearly stated that this position belongs to Wang Tiejun, who had just signed a big contract, and it is not the future, but the present and the future.
Since Oliver Miller's performance was not satisfactory and Mark West, the main center this season, was just a helpless choice, Paul Westphal and Colangelo reached a consensus on their attitudes.
