Wesley Matthews, who was undrafted in the 2009 draft, almost went to Europe and China to pan for gold. Follow? Dream?. com was later discovered by Pacers scout Henson Joe and entered the Pacers to play for him and started his NBA career.

Until last season, that is, in the 11-12 season, Wesley Matthews, who was drafted as a backup to Paul George, has averaged 134 points and 34 rebounds per game, with a three-point shooting rate of 383, extremely tough on the defensive end, does not possess the ball, and is the kind of "3D" player that all teams crave.

One was undrafted and followed the Pacers as a major rotation player to win the NBA championship without bad stats. It's undoubtedly an incredibly inspirational story, one of the most successful draft picks in league history, and one that has skyrocketed Wesley Matthews' value.

The Pacers are willing to offer Matthews a two-year, $10.5 million contract, knowing that there are not many undrafted picks in the world who can get an annual salary of more than $5 million. Most undrafted picks, if they make it to the NBA, do so only as passers-by. It's nice to stay in the league, let alone the high salary.

But just then, the Portland Trail Blazers, far away in the Western Conference, threw an olive branch to the championship quarterback. They are willing to offer Matthews a five-year contract for up to $35 million! And, they can guarantee Wesley Matthews' main position!

One loses the draft, gets the guarantee of the main force, and can get a 5-year contract. It's as if there is no choice at all, Matthews just needs to nod and he can get a contract that most players in the league covet!

Matthews, however, had his manager turn him down, "Tell them I just want to stay in Indianapolis." ”

Matthews' actions moved Henson and the Pacers uniform team very much, and in today's utilitarian league, players who only look at human touch and not money are very rare! After all, the word "loyalty" has been ruined countless times by countless cases.

Until now, Henson has prepared a "thinking trick" to convince players that they don't need to test the free agent market, in order to prevent their players from being poached. It is clear that even a "master of fooling" like Henson does not dare to face the so-called "loyalty" of the players.

But this time, Henson wouldn't have used that tactic against Matthews. On the contrary, he came to Matthews' house today to let Matthews embrace that hard-won big contract!

Indeed, if the Pacers can keep Matthews, who was the Pacers' main scorer off the bench last season, it would be a lot less frustrating. That's an average of 134 points per game, and the lack of such a point can be seen as a great impact on the team.

But Henson knows very well that he can't be so selfish, in addition to winning championships and honors, the most important thing is to get money! If the Trail Blazers' offer is only one or two million higher than the Pacers', Henson won't interfere with Matthews' selection. But the gap between 10.5 million and 35 million is not something that one or two million can explain!

What's more, the Trail Blazers still offered Matthews a five-year contract, and for a draft loser, a five-year contract is even more elusive.

So, there is the sentence that Henson just said to Matthews: "Get out, get out of here and get your big contract!" The Trailblazer's 5-year 35 million and the Pacers' 2-year 10.5 million are not the same concept! ”

At this time, Matthews and Henson sat on a deck chair in the courtyard, enjoying the gentle sunshine of Indianapolis.

Matthews' mother brought Henson a plate of cookies and a cup of coffee, and Henson thanked him very politely. Subsequently, the woman left. She knew that it was a conversation between men and men. It's better not to participate in yourself.

"I love it here, sir. I love the sunshine, I like the calm, I love the fans, my teammates, I love the coaches. Matthews squinted, and the words Henson had said to himself suddenly echoed in his head.

"Listen, Matthews. Before 12 o'clock this morning, you can be indignant, you can be angry, and you can feel like you have been deceived. But after 12 o'clock, kid. You have more important things to do, so cheer up! ”

"I love it here too, and the weather today is fantastic. Well, Matthews, I'll tell you a story. ”

"Tell a story?" Matthews smiled, "What kind of story?" ”

"You know the story of Bunch Wells, right? That infamous Bunch Wells. In the 06 playoffs, Wells averaged 235 points and 12 rebounds per game, shooting 63 from the field, and almost single-handedly knocked out the unbeatable Spurs. The king then wanted to renew his contract with a five-year, $36 million contract, but he turned down the king's high salary. Then? Then no team offered him a contract again, so the shrewd Morey took him with a 'generous' 2-year, 5 million contract. That's the story I'm going to tell, a story that turns 36 million into 5 million stupid x. ”

"I'm not Bunch Wells." Matthews smiled and waved his hand, "Besides, I didn't turn down the Trail Blazers because I wasn't paid enough. ”

"I know you're harder, harder, more like a real professional than Bunch Wells. I'm not telling you how much of a bastard Bunch Wells is, I'm just trying to tell you that a wrong assessment of the situation is likely to cost you a lot! 5 years long, this is a kind of security for you. As long as you sign, 35 million in these 5 years will not escape from your pocket. ”

"But I enjoy playing here, don't you want me to stay?"

"Of course I do, Matthews. You're what I brought in, you're my henchman, my left and right arms, one of my most important players. If everything else is put aside, of course I want you to stay. But that's why I can't be so selfish, Matthews. You're no longer the boy who complained when you lost the election, you're a man. One of the things a man has to think about is more than just enjoying playing basketball. Your family, your mother, your future wife and children, your mother used to work several jobs to support your education, but you don't have to give up $35 million. Henson said, waving his hand, "Forget it, I won't say it, the decision is yours." If you're willing to stay, I'm certainly happy. But if you leave, I bless you just as well. ”

Then the two men did not speak, but just lay quietly on the chaise longue, quietly falling asleep in the mild Indianapolis sun

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Two days later, Henson was holding his phone and saw a revelation posted by Wojnarowski.

"OJ Trail Blazers offer Matthews 35 million for five years, and the signing is nearing completion."

Seeing this news, Henson had mixed feelings. The players he brought in with his own hands left, of course he was reluctant. But Henson was very happy to see a former undrafted and his good friend get a big contract worth $35 million.

Happiness and sadness are intertwined, forming an incomparably wonderful feeling.

From sending Holiday and Granger away last season to leaving Matthews this season, Henson has become more and more able to feel the warmth and coldness of the NBA, a commercial league, but he feels that he will never get used to it.

From a team perspective, letting go of Holiday and Granger last year earned the Pacers an O'Brien Cup. But from a personal point of view, Granger has worked hard for the Pacers for so many years, and Holiday has become the most popular new star of the Pacers at the time, and it seems a little inappropriate to trade it.

So, you can't judge whether the deal is right or wrong at all, it's just from a different angle. Last year, Henson put himself in the team's shoes.

It's like now, letting Matthews go gives this player a guaranteed long-term contract. But at the same time, it also left the Pacers with an average of 134 points per game. How do you evaluate this matter for good or bad? Still can't comment. Only this time, Henson thinks from the player's point of view

Put down your phone, the league of BA will never be as simple as playing basketball. And a lot of things in this alliance are not black and white.

Although Matthews has not left Indianapolis yet, Henson still has a chance to say goodbye to this "tough man" in person. But the matter of strengthening the team's No. 2 position, Henson also has to be on the agenda, which is a very real problem.

You can't just watch this 134-point vacancy appear and do nothing, right? The goal of the Pacers and Henson is more than just a championship trophy.

Even the summer after winning the championship is really not worrying.

Henson stretched, remembering this year's Eastern Conference semifinals and the tenacious Celtics.

Of course, most importantly, I was reminded of rumors that Ray Allen refused to renew his contract with Celtic

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