NBA: I just want to play soy sauce, you let me win the championship

Chapter 271 Big discussion caused by gossip news
Next, of course, it is a classic Hollywood routine, which constantly stirs up the topic and makes this tidbits of news break out of the circle.

Although the NBA is the third and fourth weakest league among the four major leagues in the United States, NBA stars earn the most among the four major leagues. The NFL stars next door are crying.

What's more, the protagonist this time is not only Kobe Bryant, who is familiar to the local media in Los Angeles, but also their mortal enemy in Los Angeles, the "exotic" Lu Yuanzhi, who just won the slam dunk contest and was the All-Star Most Valuable Player.

Some tabloid reporters also published photos of Hathaway getting into Kobe Bryant's car and photos of Lu Yuanzhi and Lu Yuanzhi entering the hotel hand in hand.

Hathaway also took this opportunity to participate in the "Tonight Show" (which will be the Fatal Show in the future). The host, who had already been greeted by the host, heard Hathaway's "Princess Diaries" while chatting about this gossip. 2" movie is about to be released next year, it has quickly gone viral, and most of the time has been spent discussing the new movie.

This caused many people who wanted to pry into gossip or NBA stars’ private affairs to curse.

However, at the end of the program, Hathaway described the situation that afternoon, casually mentioning the eight one-on-one games between Kobe and Lu Yuanzhi and Kobe's recruitment of Lu Yuanzhi.

"Thanks, Annie! You helped me a lot!"

"No, Max, you helped me a lot. The publicity effect this time was unexpectedly good."

Samura is not far from Los Angeles. After the two met candidly again, they chatted about the tidbits from the past.

Yes, this news can spread quickly, and it is indispensable that Lu Yuanzhi, the brand behind him, and some cooperative media have added fuel to the flames.

The news quickly spread back to the basketball circle, and everyone's focus returned to Kobe's recruitment of Lu Yuanzhi to join the Lakers.

Immediately afterwards, the reporters, like sharks smelling blood, found Kobe and Lu Yuanzhi.

"Yes, it was a private duel, and Ms. Hathaway was our notary."

"Single-on-one score? (laughing) Ask Max!"

"Recruiting Max? There is such a thing. Isn't this a contract year for him? The Kings haven't renewed his contract yet, so I asked him to talk to the Lakers management."

"How big is the contract? You have to ask Max and his management team about this!"

Although Kobe's answer was tepid, it confirmed the authenticity of the news from the side.

The reporter who found Lu Yuanzhi heard similar words.

"No, it was just a private chat between friends. I didn't force the king's management. You know, if it weren't for the paparazzi's powerful powers, you wouldn't know the news!"

"It is true that my agent and the Kings management have differences on the size of the contract, but I don't think it is a big issue. It is only halfway through the season and they have plenty of time to communicate."

"The team you want to go to? No, no, no, man, we are still negotiating with the Kings management to renew the contract. I have not thought about this issue at all. Everything depends on the outcome of the contract renewal negotiations."

"Of course I personally want to stay with the Kings, win the first three consecutive championships in the team's history, and become the first team to create a dynasty after the Bulls dynasty, but I also hope that the Kings management will show me a certain amount of respect. After all, The progress I’ve made is visible to everyone.”

"Maximum salary? Of course, of course I want a maximum salary! (Laughs) What player doesn't want a maximum salary?"

"Yes, I only played for 2 years, so I can only get 25% of the maximum salary."

"Lakers? Don't be ridiculous. O'Neal and Kobe Bryant's salary will almost catch up with the salary cap next year. How can they still have room to sign me? Do you think Buss is willing to pay the luxury tax, or do you think the Lakers will trade them? One of them? (laughing)" "No, no, no, as far as I know, there is no conflict between Kobe and O'Neal, and there is no trading away of someone to make room for me. Are you really a basketball reporter? Or are you from Hollywood next door? Entertainment reporter?”

With Lu Yuanzhi confirming that his contract extension negotiations with the Kings have reached an impasse and Kobe Bryant trying to recruit him, the NBA circle has also begun to pay attention to Lu Yuanzhi's whereabouts next year.

TNT TV, "NBA Insider" program, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith discussed Lu Yuanzhi's stay and possible final destination.

"First, we discussed the possibility of the Kings keeping Max."

"The conclusion is simple. Judging from the current salary structure, it is difficult for the Kings to keep Max."

"Webber is 1594 million, Divac is 1205 million, Bibby is 950 million, Cato is 730 million, Christie is 690 million, and Stojakovic is 625 million. These six people alone have a salary of about 6 million."

"The salary cap next season will probably be around 4300 million."

"According to sources, Max is pursuing a maximum salary, and the first year of his new contract will be close to 1100 million."

"No matter how you use the terms, if you sign Max, the Kings will either have to pay a large luxury tax or trade away one or two important championship players. This is unacceptable to the Kings management. "

"So, Max is bound to leave the Kings."

Barkley talked a lot eloquently, but Kenny Smith was noncommittal, "No, no, no, Charles, the core of the question is, isn't Max worth a maximum salary?"

"Don't forget, he is a late second-round pick. There has never been a second-round pick in the history of the league who can get the maximum salary at the end of his first contract!"

When Barkley heard Smith's words, he seemed to have heard something incredible, and his eyes widened, "What are you talking about, Kenny? A second-round pick? Are you still looking at Max in this old way?"

"Max has already proven himself in last year's playoffs, and this year he went a step further and won the slam dunk championship and the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player."

"Look at the first-round draft picks in 01. Is there anyone better than Max?"

"The No. [-] pick, Kwame Brown?"

As soon as the name came out, the tense atmosphere between the two people suddenly disappeared, and the air was filled with joy.

Kwame Brown, the No. [-] pick selected by the old gangster, was squeezed out of the starting position in the team by Haywood of the same generation. He also used his performance in one and a half seasons to tell everyone that yes, the old gangster's vision of people is different from that of Kwame Brown. His poker skills are just as bad!

"Okay, Charles, let's put aside the debate about whether Max deserves a max salary. If Max wants a max salary, who might be next?"

"Good question! Who will be the next team? We look at it from two aspects. On the one hand, the team has enough salary space to introduce Max. On the other hand, it is which team Max is suitable for and will he choose to go. Which team."

"Because as far as we know, many teams have sent out signals that they are willing to give Max a maximum salary contract."

"And the one with the strongest will and the best chance of achieving it is the Washington Wizards!"

(End of this chapter)