Tang Shuai made up his mind, and after hanging up the phone with Stephenson, he then called Kupchak.

Talking about Stephenson, it turned out that Kupchak had also recruited, but because Stephenson insisted on a contract with a starting salary of nine million, it was not negotiated.

After learning from Kupchak that he was offered a starting salary of $7.5 million, he then asked Duffy to book a plane ticket to Indiana the next day.

After putting down the phone, he picked up the phone and was about to call Ismael Smith, Smith could be said to be quite appreciative of him, and this call would move him nine times out of ten, but he picked up and pressed a number button, and then put the phone down.

Although Wo. Er ruthlessly traded him, he didn't need to have any feelings for the Clippers anymore, but after all, the Clippers are not only a cold team, there are many teammates he has been with, if he recruits Smith like this, it will be equivalent to directly demolishing the stage, which will make him afraid that he will not be ashamed to face Paul and them in the future.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally put his phone down.

"What? Gave up on recruiting Ismail? Duffy immediately saw what he was thinking, and spoke.

"Ismael is a point guard, and the Lakers already have Jordan Clarkson, so it's not a good option for him." Tang Shuai said.

Duffy gave him a meaningful look, smiled and didn't continue.

After dropping Duffy back to Anna's villa, he drove back to the villa.

He parked the car and before he could enter the villa, his mobile phone rang, and it was Duffy calling.

He was puzzled, and after answering the phone, Duffy then told him something.

The 76ers offered Smith a three-year, nine-million-dollar starting contract.

Hearing the news, he also completely dismissed the idea of recruiting Smith, as a famous wanderer, it is already a good thing to be able to get such a big contract, and the Lakers are unlikely to offer a bigger or even lower contract than this.

"Don, you don't need to be so careful about what Mitch said, player recruitment is the general manager's business, and now you haven't completely made a name for yourself, it's really hard to do these things, and there are a lot of risks." Duffy said after being silent on the phone for a while, it was obvious that he had guessed the reason why Tang Shuai didn't call Smith in the car, and the purpose of his call was obviously to untie the knot in his heart.

"I see, thank you, Jaime." Tang Shuai hung up the phone after speaking.

Duffy is right, if he has the appeal of James one day, maybe it will not be recruiting, but screening teammates, but this is actually not in conflict with what he is doing, whether it is Stephenson or Smith, he wants to play with his friends more.

"I'm back, I'll cook you some fungus soup, keep it in the refrigerator, and you can drink it when you come back." Su Mei had already come back, and when she saw him enter the door, she came up to help him undress and spoke.

Tang Shuai showed a warm look on the corner of his mouth, kissed her on the forehead, smiled, and then walked inside.

Early the next morning, after exchanging a sincere apology to Prokopio, he boarded a plane to Indiana.

Indiana and Los Angeles are far apart, crossing most of the United States, and after more than four hours of flight, Tang Shuai finally arrived in Polis, the capital of Indiana.

At Indianapolis International Airport, Tang Shuai and Stephenson, two people who hadn't seen each other for more than half a year, came directly to an affectionate hug, and then the two of them hooked up and went directly to a nearby hotel.

Putting down the luggage, Stephenson made the east, and asked Tang Shuai to report for a meal in the local area.

Although Polis is not a city rich in food, the sandwich here is a major specialty, fried pork cutlet, fried beef brain, fried bullfrog legs, a sandwich has been made into a variety of flavors, which is unprecedented, and even in addition to these, Tang Shuai also ate the local famous, known as the "SugarCreamPie" that can sweeten people to death, and after a bite, the teeth feel crispy.

After eating and drinking, the two of them talked about the old for a while, and Tang Shuai then said: "Lance, the new season is less than two months away from starting, I heard that you haven't decided on your next home yet?" ”

Hearing Tang Shuai talk about the contract issue, Stephenson couldn't help but shake his head: "Don't mention it, these guys have always felt that I will have a bad impact on the team off the field, and they refuse to give the contract, you said that Bradley Beal will take 20 million, Niklas Batum will take 20 million, why do I get a contract of 9 million?" ”

"It's really not much, and now the salary cap has risen, the current nine million, and it will be worth a discount in a few years." Tang Shuai nodded and said.

"That's it, and I'm only 27 years old, so it's probably the most critical contract of my career." Stephenson said with a sigh.

"Indiana didn't mean to provide a contract either?" Tang Shuai asked.

"That's why I'm here, they're willing to offer a contract with a starting salary of eight million, but for four years, and it's only 1.5 percent a year, and my agent is still working on it." Stephenson said with a wry smile.

There are generally two types of NBA contracts, either the contract with the lowest starting salary in the first year and a continuous annual salary increase of 2.5%, or the contract with the highest starting salary in the first year and a continuous annual salary reduction of 2.5%, the former is for most players and the latter is for veterans.

But a contract like the one that Indiana gave Stephenson is indeed rare, and the term is four years, which is too long for the 27-year-old Stephenson, and after four years, what kind of contract can the 31-year-old Stephenson get?

The Pacers are no longer the original Pacers, Stephenson is no longer the original Stephenson, and Iverson's return to the 76ers is not comparable to when he was at his peak, let alone Stephenson.

"What do you mean? Are you going to wait for an agent to negotiate a contract and then choose to play in Indiana? Tang Shuai asked Stephenson what he really thought.

Stephenson didn't answer right away, but spread his hands helplessly and said, "If there is no better choice." ”

"Lance, do you want you not to come to Los Angeles? We get together again to play. Tang Shuai felt that the hospital where Stephenson played for the Pacers was not so strong, and said straight to the point.

"To the Lakers?" Stephenson's eyes were happy, but he quickly shook his head and said, "Mitch was in contact with my agent, and after knowing my offer, he quickly withdrew. ”

"I can go and talk to Mitch, I can do my best with the annual salary, but I will make him three years the annual salary, in this case, it will be more beneficial to you." Tang Shuai followed.

"Great! If I can really play with you, I'm willing to miss one or two million a year! Stephenson's focus seems to have changed from a contract to playing with Tang Shuai, which is his character, funny, but very righteous.

"So, you're ready to play for the Lakers next season!" Tang Shuai said with a smile.

PS: Thank you for the reward of killing the king and the purple prison! This is the seventh update!! Brothers, the big eggplant is desperate for a monthly pass!! (To be continued.) )