After staying in Los Angeles for a few days, in September, Chloe was going to report to New York, and Zhou Xuan went home with her.

Now the team's training hall is not able to practice, and all teams are closed until the new collective bargaining agreement is finalized. The free agency market is also not open, and managers are not allowed to make contact with free agents.

Of course, this is not absolute. At least Chris? Mu Lin can call Zhou Xuan. Not being able to contact means that the two can't meet and can't eat together, in case someone reports it will cause controversy, because Zhou Xuan is also a free agent in the summer.

On September 4, Mu Lin called Zhou Xuan.

"Stephen, how's the rest going?"

"Yes, I'm going to rest for a while and stop practicing." Zhou Xuan paid attention to the labor negotiations, and there would be no results for the time being, so he was not in a hurry to practice.

Mullin said: "It's okay, the season is definitely not going to start properly, it's good for us, we need your help? ”

"What's the matter?"

"Reach out to a couple of veterans who fit our team and try to convince them to join the Knicks for a low salary, you can reach out to them. And I'm sure you have a solution, I'm on vacation right now. Mullin laughed.

"What's the plan?"

"We're thinking about cutting Andre? Miller. Although he was good last season, he couldn't shoot well and he was getting old. I think it's better to bring in veterans who can shoot. Mullin said.

Miller's last year is on a non-guaranteed contract, Beverley gets a lot of playing time in the last few games, and D'Antoni wants to give him more opportunities next season, and if Miller stays, it will limit the growth of the newcomer.

Zhou Xuan didn't interrupt, and Mu Lin continued: "What do you think of Sean? How about Battier? You have a good relationship with Yao Ming, you should be able to get his phone, right? ”

Battier is a typical team player, with height, experience, a willingness to run, and the ability to shoot threes. Although his individual defense ability is not as good as before, his experience will definitely help the team, and he can swing at the 2, 3, and 4 positions to make up for the shortcomings of the Knicks' poor pick-and-roll.

Zhou Xuan felt that it was feasible. "Okay, I'll be in charge of convincing him to join, what contract are I going to give him?"

"Three years of mini middle-class, do you think he will say yes?"

"If he wants to win a championship, the Knicks are a good choice, and a high-IQ player like him should be able to see the situation." Zhou Xuan was confident that he could convince Battier, but Yao Ming couldn't help. Maybe Yao Ming still wants to pull Batil to the calf. Last season, the Mavericks were champions.

When the rocket was played, Zhou Xuan had already asked for Battier's call. The players left contact information between them, and I don't know when they will be able to use it.

Zhou Xuan asked, "Is there anyone else?" ”

Mullin said, "And Vince? Carter, I've gotten word that the Suns are likely to cut him in order to clear up salary space. He will also be a free man. But now the team has too many swing people, and Battier and Carter can have one. If you think there is anyone who would be a good fit for the Knicks, I would recommend it. ”

"Okay, I'll look into it."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Xuan went online to look up the information of the players in the free market in the summer. He is not the only one who wants to attract people to join the team, but other players will also be in contact with each other, otherwise the Big Three of the Heat last season would not be able to form a team.

The Knicks need a reinforcement spot on the inside and outside, and there are no veterans in the free market. Yi Jianlian is a good choice, the price is definitely not high, and he can barely shoot after blocking and dismantling, although it is not accurate. The main Zhou Xuan and he speak Chinese, good communication, may be able to help him out of the predicament, this is a double win. But if Yi Jianlian's performance is still muddy, this place will be in vain. The lack of stats in the Wizards has made people's expectations of him lower and lower.

The other two experienced veterans are Reggie? Evans and Kenyon? Martin. The former was very unhappy with the Knicks before, and unless no one wanted it, it was impossible to eat back grass. Martin is not only experienced in defense, but also can shoot in the middle, the only drawback is that he is short in head, and Zhou Xuan has set his main target on him.

There are no veterans to choose from point guards. As long as Miller lets go, he will definitely not re-sign the Knicks, after all, he will make millions less. Bibby, Arroyo, House and others are all veterans, and the organization is not good and the defense is too bad. This can be considered after the free market opens, and if it doesn't work, leave Miller to play for another year.

After thinking about the rhetoric, Zhou Xuan called Battier.

He thinks Battier is a good option, doesn't possess the ball and is willing to defend. Carter is an offensive player, and there is no shortage of attacking No. 2 positions in the team right now, and he won't play too much time when he comes. And the introduction of Carter is not estimated to be cheap, at least more expensive than Battier. It's better to attack with him than to train Stephenson.

Battier picked up the phone and smiled, "Hello." Stephen Chow, I didn't expect you to contact me. ”

"Hello, Sean, you should be able to guess why I called today, right?" Zhou Xuan smiled.

"You want to be my teammate?" Battier gets straight to the point.

"That's right, I don't know if Yao Ming has contacted you, but I think you must still be thinking about it, and you haven't promised to report on any team next season."

"Why are you so sure?"

Zhou Xuan still relies on psychology, and Battier is a real person, and he doesn't like to talk around corners. When you meet someone like Zhou Xuan who is not familiar with her, just refuse directly, there is no need to show that he is very happy, and when you hear the tone of voice, you know that he is interested in the Knicks.

"Because I guess you want a championship ring, you want to join a team that has the ability to win championships, and the Knicks should be able to meet your requirements."

"The Mavericks are the defending champions, I can go there." Battier said.

Zhou Xuan smiled: "The calf is in the west. The Spurs and Lakers are not weak, and if the Thunder is strengthened in the summer, their strength is not bad, and it is very difficult to break through. The most disadvantageous aspect of calves is aging. Kidd can't move anymore, and Nowitzki and Yao Ming are also slipping at any time. Butler may not stay in the Mavericks, Barria may also go, the championship will increase the value, if Stojakovic retires, half of the Mavericks team will have to be replaced, and it is almost impossible to defend the title. If you look at Yao Ming's face and go to the Mavericks, you can get a lot of opportunities to play at most. ”

If you want to poach people, you have to hit your opponent by the way. Battier is going to hug his thighs, he won't sign a high salary, and it would be unfortunate if he played a lot of minutes and did his best to just go through the playoffs.

Battier asked, "What's in it if I join the Knicks?" ”

Zhou Xuan was very well prepared and said with a smile: "First, the championship hope." Last season we just started rebuilding and we reached the finals. Second, we have attackers on the team, and Amaré and I will focus on the attack, and you just need to draw the defense to shoot three points in the bottom corner on the offensive end, and then work the defensive end, so you don't have to waste too much thought. Thirdly, you will become a respected dressing room leader, teaching lessons to the young players and gaining their respect. ”

Battier laughed, "They're going to be happy with me, the newcomer?" ”

"What won't you do? We picked two rookies, and they both need veteran coaching. Zhou Xuan paused for a moment and said, "Fourth, Chinese fans." As long as you get to the Knicks, you will have a high exposure rate, and Chinese businesses will continue to look for you as an endorsement, and that part of the income is higher than the player's salary. ”

"You're a good lobbyist." Battier said lightly: "Is there anything else?" ”

"Also, the Knicks are the best place for you. Your choice is nothing more than three, the Mavericks, the Knicks and the Heat. The Heat is not weak, they have stars, but there is a problem with the lineup configuration, and you will be reused if you go. Personally, I strongly recommend not picking the Heat, they are too weak, and the 3-0 lead can be reversed, how embarrassing is it? ”

Taking the Heat as an example, Zhou Xuan is not afraid that Battier will join there, but uses this example to prove the strength and tenacity of the Knicks. Now the Heat is very unpopular, the Big Three have jointly caused controversy and created a shameful record, it is difficult to attract good players to join with low salaries, and those who are a little famous are not willing to go.

Battier thought for a moment and smiled, "You convinced me, when the free market opens, contact my agent." What are you going to offer? Not to mention the veteran's base salary. ”

"I can't call the shots about this, ask the manager and let you know, I think at least it's a mini middle class."

Zhou Xuan is just Mu Lin's helper, and he still has to be the manager to spend money in the end, and he can't promise casually.

Battier also knows the rules of negotiation and doesn't ask too much. "Well, I'll wait for your news."

Zhou Xuan called Mu Lin again. "Chris, I contacted Battier just now, he is willing to come, we have too many swingers, we don't have to think about Carter anymore."

"So fast? You called him and he said he would like to come? ”

"I can't talk to him about the salary in detail, it's just that he has the willingness to join, and it is impossible to accept the veteran's base salary, so you should consider how much you should give."

Mullin asked, "How did you talk to him?" ”

"Analyzing the situation of the league teams, the championship temptation, he wants the championship, it's as simple as that."

"Okay, I'll make a contract that satisfies him." Sending away Redick, Battier is undoubtedly a better fit for the Knicks, and Battier is better at rotating in the defensive system.

Zhou Xuan said: "Also, I suggest not to lay off Andre, there is no suitable replacement." If the third guard isn't strong enough and I have an injury to Beverley, the Knicks are going to be out of luck. I've got to have a playmaker and we paid a lot of money to get him in exchange last season. ”

"Well, I'm still discussing this with them, what do you think, Barya?"

Barria is a free man, with average organization, amazing speed, good run-and-run, but the disadvantage is that his head is too short and easy to become a defensive hole.

"He's definitely not cheap, he's inflated in value when he wins the championship, and his defense is not good, forget it." Zhou Xuan sighed. He didn't want to fill in the gaps on the defensive end.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Xuan thought about what else to introduce, except for swinging people, all positions needed to be strengthened. There are currently only eleven people under contract who are likely to stay in the team.

Before the start of the season, the Knicks need to put together a roster of at least 14 players. There are too many swingers, and if Battier comes, he will have to trade.