Beginning in 1995, the NBA began to implement a rookie standard contract system, and all first-round picks had to be contracted in accordance with league regulations.

Because the team must provide a guaranteed contract for at least two years for the first-round pick, he cannot sign him to a short-term contract.

As a result, some teams simply give up their signing rights. For example, in 1996, after the Chicago Bulls drafted Travis Knight with the No. 29 pick in the first round, they simply dropped him because they were unwilling to offer him a three-year guaranteed contract.

Including first- and second-round picks, any rookie who is given up by the team will become a full free agent, which is the same as a draft pick.

From a team perspective, the top-ranked second-round picks aren't necessarily worth less than the late first-round picks.

Under the premise that there is no significant difference in combat effectiveness and potential, the contract of the former must include a guarantee contract of at least two years, while the latter can be signed with a basic salary, which can be a non-guaranteed contract or a short-term contract.

Under the terms of the rookie contract, the first-round pick contract is a three-year contract, with a guaranteed contract for the first two seasons and a team option for the final season.

At the end of the second season, teams can choose whether or not to exercise the third year team option.

If the team exercises the option, the player becomes a restricted free agent after completing his three-year contract. Otherwise, the player becomes a full free agent at the end of the second year of his contract.

It's a standard rookie contract, and according to Ji Liang's draft pick, the Nuggets offered him a three-year, $2.4 million contract, compared to $640,000 in the first year.

They are also rookie contracts, but the amount varies widely, such as Rip Lafrentz, who was also drafted by the Nuggets this year, and his contract amount is three times that of Ji Liang.

After receiving the contract, Chi Liang read it carefully and signed his name.

After signing the contract, the team will pay the first salary in the near future, which can relieve Ji Liang's financial crisis and improve the living standards of his family.

"Happy working together! By the way, I'll give you a suggestion, with your height and weight, you can go for small forward! ”

At this time, George gave advice. He is now a general manager and needs to develop prestige in the team.

In George's opinion, Ji Liang's height, weight and arm span are not bad, he has the speed of a guard and the strength of the inside, and he has a great advantage in playing small forward.

In terms of physical fitness, it feels similar to Paul Pearce, but slightly lighter.

To describe it in one sentence: those who are stronger than me are not as fast as me, and those who are faster than me are not as strong as me!

"Thanks for the advice, I'll try to fit in with the small forward position!"

Ji Liang did not refuse and accepted George's suggestion.

He knew in his heart that with his draft pick, if he wanted to get a chance to play, he had to show himself as much as possible, not to mention that he had also played small forward and was no stranger to this position.

In addition, Ji Liang also heard that the Nuggets are negotiating with the Lakers and want to get the Lakers All-Star player - Nick Van Exel!

Although Nick Van Axel was the target of the purge in the competition with Kobe, his strength cannot be denied.

If the Nuggets and Lakers make a deal, Nick Van Exel will definitely take the point guard position.

Compared with the point guard, the Nuggets' forward line is much weaker, which is also Ji Liang's opportunity.

Under the arrangement of the staff, Chi Liang rented an apartment near the Pepsi Center and became his temporary residence.

After cleaning the apartment, Ji Liang returned to the Pepsi Center and began training.

For Ji Liang's self-discipline, the physical trainer and some trainers were surprised.

However, perhaps because of their skin color, they didn't take the initiative to help Chi Liang train, so they just stood on the sidelines and watched.

In terms of training, Ji Liang trains 6 days a week, in addition to shooting, including sprints, box jumps, squats, push-ups and strength training.

First, I practiced shooting, 300 shots each from mid-range shots and 3-pointers.

Whether it is a mid-range shot or a three-point shot, Chi Liang's vacant shooting rate is more than 90%, and if he feels good, he can even reach 100% in a certain period.

However, this is only the basics of basketball, and there are many NBA players who have reached 90% of the open field shooting rate.

However, very few rookies can achieve a 90% open field shooting rate, and most of the rookies who can achieve it can become a good shooter.

Because of this, the physical trainer was a little more surprised, but he still didn't have the idea of stepping forward to guide, and continued to watch Chi Liang train.

As the training unfolded, the physical trainer's surprise became heavier, because after throwing hundreds of balls, Ji Liang's shooting rate dropped slightly, but the vacancy shooting rate was still high.

As we all know, with the passage of physical fitness, the hit rate will undoubtedly be affected, and looking at Ji Liang's expression on his face that is not red or panting, it means that his physical fitness is excellent.

It didn't take long for Ji Liang to stop shooting and start his routine halfway break.

At this moment, the physical fitness coach came to Chi Liang and began to take the initiative to contact Chi Liang.

After the exchange, the physical fitness coach learned about Chi Liang's training plan, especially since the other party had insisted on it for four years, and couldn't help but gasp.

With such a large amount of training, NBA players can basically complete it, but very few players can stick to the boring training day after day, year after year.

After the exchange, the physical fitness coach understood Chi Liang a little more, and began to take the initiative to help Chi Liang train and help him correct some irregular movements.

Chi Liang's hard work and persistence obviously moved him.

"It's strange, it's so late, is there anyone still training?"

As night began to fall, George finished his day's work, and as he left his office, he suddenly heard the sound of playing ball in the arena.

When I got closer, I saw a topless figure practicing shooting.

"It's him!"

It's a lot, George recognizes the other party, it's not the yellow player signed today.

At this time, George came up to a trainer and asked in a low voice, "When did he come?"

"It's been an hour or two, this guy is not easy, he shoots more than 90% from the field!"

The trainer replied softly, and the eyes that looked at Chi Liang were a little more appreciative.

"Then you can't trade him, it looks like you're going to change the trading plan!"

The size of the forward, the speed of the guard, the strength of the inside, coupled with the excellent vision, shooting touch and passing accuracy, no matter how you look at it, Ji Liang has the potential to become a high-quality small forward.

The next moment, George returned to his office and began to renegotiate a trade with the Lakers.

With the help of the physical fitness coach, the original six-hour training time was shortened to more than four hours.

After high-intensity training, Chi Liang sweated profusely, holding his knees and panting, even after a few breaks halfway, he still felt tired.