"I don't think we should have signed P.J. Tucker, he's not the kind of player we need."

Indianapolis, inside a small cottage in the Carmel District. Two of the city's greatest basketball men, Larry. Bird and Henson. Joe is sitting together, talking about the future of the Pacers.

"Why? Tucker is a good player, I promise. Henson said as he poured Bird's freshly brewed tea.

'Because our forward line is already very crowded, Henson. Even if Channing. Frye is gone, and our forward line is extremely crowded! Antetokounmpo, Siakam, and even Bogdanovic and Paul. George can play as a striker. By the way, and the handsome little guy you got at the draft this year, he's also a striker! And now you're telling me we're going to sign P.J. Tucker too? I don't understand, Henson. ”

Bird spread his hands, he wasn't trying to meddle in Henson's basketball business. Rather, as the literal meaning is, Bird didn't understand why Henson signed Tucker, he just wanted to hear Henson explain.

"Speaking of that handsome little guy, his name is Kyle. Kuzma, that guy did really well in the Summer League. In the last game he had just defeated by Lonzo. The Los Angeles Lakers led by Ball, I think they are even eligible to win the MVP of the Summer League right now. ”

Instead of answering Bird immediately, Henson moved on to another topic, "Do you know what Ball said after losing to Kuzma?" He said Kuzma wasn't that good in college, and no one remembered Kuzma in the NCAA. Now, however, he has made a big name remember him. Hahaha, it looks like we're betting right again this time, Bird. ”

"Yes, yes, that little handsome guy is progressing at an amazing rate, that's what the media writes. Please, I know about Kuzma. You haven't answered my question yet, Henson. Why do we need P.J. Tucker? What do you think he can bring to the team? ”

"Three-pointers, defense, resilience, those are all things that Tucker can bring to us. And the addition of Tucker doesn't make our forward line crowded. ”

"You mean, you're going to have Tucker play guard?"

"No," Henson waved his hand slightly, "I'm going to let Tucker play center!" ”

"Poof!" Bird had just taken a sip of tea and sprayed it all over the ground.

"What? Tea too hot? Henson smiled gloatingly.

"P.J. Tucker is less than 2 meters tall and is a typical small forward. He's struggling to play the No. 4 position, and you want him to play center!? Bird ignored Henson's jokes, and he found that he was getting out of step with Henson's thinking.

"It's the age of small balls, Bird. A small lineup center forward of 1.98 meters, not short at all. Last season, Antetokounmpo played well as a center, but he was better suited to attack from the outside. If you want Antetokounmpo to go further, I think it's better to put him in the right position. What about Siakam? His ability to fight is not enough to reach the No. 5 position. That said, we don't have any suitable center strikers other than Lopez. ”

Seeing that Bird was serious, Henson didn't say haha anymore, but began to answer seriously.

'So, this season we need to bring in someone who can play as a central striker when the formation changes. Tucker is tough defensively, with plenty of tonnage and strength to resist the average inside. Moreover, he can also open up space, which Antetokounmpo can't do when he plays center. No matter how bad it is. We might also use him as a spare tire for Siakam and Kuzma. In case Kuzma doesn't fit in when he enters the NBA, we can use him to replace Kuzma's place. ”

Bird nodded thoughtfully, and according to Henson, P.J. Tucker's signing was well worth it.

Henson's current reinforcement plan is actually very clear, that is, he wants the kind of jack-of-all-trades that can play multiple positions. And Tucker's ability to defend from the outside to the inside is undoubtedly very much in line with this requirement.

"Bird, there's one more thing I must tell you in advance. Because I hope that the team can prepare in advance. After saying Tucker, Henson decided to tell the whole story.

"What's the matter?"

"Hmm...... Something you might not be happy to listen to. Henson bit his lip, he didn't want the Pacers to be unprepared by knowing his retirement plans last. So, I plan to tell Bird in advance about preparing to retire at the age of 40.

But when the words come to the mouth, they are not so easy to say......

※※※

"Damn Indianapolis, damn it!" Rockets general manager Morey was furious in the office, he couldn't believe that the role player he had long been interested in would be intercepted by the Pacers ahead of schedule!

Two hours ago, NBA officials and Pacers officials announced at the same time that P.J. Tucker accepted a three-year, $28 million contract from the Pacers and officially joined the Indiana Pacers.

Tucker rejected the Raptors' highest offer of 33 million for 3 years, and also rejected the Rockets' 4-year offer of 32 million, and chose the Pacers' 3-year 28 million in a compromise.

For Tucker, the most important thing for him right now is not money, so the Raptors naturally can't compete.

And with the same win, Tucker has to measure a contract in terms of money.

So, Tucker ended up choosing the Pacers. A team where he doesn't have to take too many pay cuts, but he can still win.

Tucker's move angered Morey, who wanted to make a big move to get a championship roster this summer, but the first step of the plan was ruined by the Pacers.

Originally, the Rockets were so close to Tucker, but it all fell through because the Pacers joined halfway through.

Morey covered his head in annoyance, there weren't many big fish left this summer. Gordon. Hayward and Kelly. Irving, is the only hope for the Rockets.

But what if you can't get a championship together this year? Morey couldn't help but take out Chris. Paul's information. Next year, he'll make the Pacers pay for it!

With Paul's contract expiring next summer, the Pacers will surely be the first to sign a younger George with a salary cap. At that time, Morey will offer a contract that the Pacers can't match, and recruit Paul to his team!

Just thinking about the guard line of Paul + Harden makes people feel chills down the spine.

Morey hooked the corners of his mouth, not bothering P.J. Tucker anymore. His mind has flown to next summer, the one destined to be regretted by the Pacers.

※※※

The whole world knows that Paul and George are renewing their contracts next summer, and they all know that the Pacers are not going to offer both of them a max contract. As a result, there are now a lot of rumors circulating in the market that the Pacers are going to trade Paul.

And as the head coach of the Pacers, Henson couldn't have been unaware of these things.

While it's a bit early to think about next summer, Henson feels the need to talk to Paul. After all, Paul is a meritorious player for the Pacers, and four championships are inseparable from Paul's contributions. If he just let the meritorious player go in such a vague way, Henson will not forgive himself. Moreover, it is also necessary for him to avoid rumors that "the Pacers are going to trade Paul", lest Paul think too much.

So after just signing Tucker, Henson called Paul. He wanted to talk to Paul about where he would be next summer.

"Honestly, coach. I'm willing to take a pay cut, and I'm willing to stay with the Pacers. But as you know, I'm 32 years old and I'm at the end of my career. In other words, next summer is my last chance to get a big contract. So, if there is a price from another team that I can't refuse, I'....."

"Well, Chris, I can understand. Rest assured, I won't trade you early in exchange for chips, and I'm not going to strip you of your position just because you plan to leave. I respect your choice, and you are not my personal belongings. If there is a team willing to sign you at the highest salary next summer, I will never stop you. But until then, Chris, you're still the leader of the Pacers, and that's not going to change! ”

Henson understood Paul's point, and like Horford, he didn't want to leave the Pacers, but at the same time he didn't want to miss the opportunity to sign the last salary cap. That's a good thing, Henson doesn't want a player to give up thousands of dollars for his own sake. The story of one person and one city is certainly romantic and beautiful, but looking at the current league, how many players can achieve the conditions of one person and one city?

The Mavericks and Lakers are willing to give the already aging Kobe and Dirk big contracts just for the sake of feelings. But this kind of financial resources is not something that every team has.

It's good that no one will give Paul a maximum salary next summer, and Paul will take a pay cut and stay, and everything will be fine. But if someone really wants to do something and give Paul a contract with a maximum salary while maintaining competitiveness......

Henson pursed his lips, a little worried. After all, he's never led a team without Paul to a championship.

Before you know it, the dark battle between the Pacers and the Rockets has begun to be laid a year in advance......