Just because a new player is selected by the team doesn't mean that the team will definitely sign the player.

In 1996, there was no concept of luxury tax, and in the case of bird rights, the team could renew the contract, as long as the owner was willing to spend money, most problems could be solved!

In the 96~97 season, the team's salary cap was 24.36 million US dollars, and if the team had a big move to strengthen, it had to free up salary space first.

On June 30, after the free agency market opened, the Lakers made an unexpected trade:

The Lakers sent Verratti Divac, the starting center who averaged 12.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last season, to the Hornets in exchange for Kobe Bryant, a 13th overall high school rookie this year.

The July 11 trade shocked a lot of the media, and the Lakers are going to break up?

There was no summer league in the 1996 offseason, and Lee Woo began looking for a house in Manhattan after the draft.

Mark Battlestein is still struggling with Ray Allen's contract, and none of them want to play in Milwaukee if there's even the slightest possibility...

Li You is not blind either, John Starks, who has lived in New York for 5 years, introduced him to an apartment.

"$3,000 a month? It's just too expensive! ”

Standing under the apartment building called The Westpotr, Li You helplessly spread his hands, 36,000 US dollars a year, he really hurts!

"Young people have to learn to enjoy life, to bring girls home, to have a good place to live, this is New York, you have to adapt to this environment!"

Dressed in a floral shirt and sunglasses, John Starks was dressed casually, and was telling Li You about the benefits of this apartment at this time:

"24 hour doorman, gym, laundry, lounge, in addition to luxury suites, there are many studios here, but don't worry, the soundproofing is good!"

"The most important thing is that it's very close to the stadium, 3,000 US dollars, it's definitely worth the money!"

Li You pouted, this apartment is really well located, on Searay Avenue in Manhattan, close to Central Park and Columbus Square.

But the rent is also really expensive!

In 1996, the U.S. federal income tax rate was the highest at 39.6%, while the highest income tax rate in New York State was 7.875%!

Mark Battlestein helped Lee sign a three-year, $2.75 million contract with the Knicks, with an annual salary of $790,000 in the first year.

The NBA league also charges 10% of the player's pension, plus the 1.5% commission of agent Mark, and Li You finally got only 360,000 US dollars.

Medical insurance, trainer expenses, and daily consumption Li You haven't counted yet, but after this year, there is not much money left.

It's just that after Li You walked around the luxury suite, he was finally defeated by the rotten capitalism and spent money to buy a comfortable...

144 square meters, central air conditioning, solid wood flooring, furniture and electrical appliances are complete, lighting is also very good, decoration color is also beige, people feel particularly warm.

After renting for a year, Li You looked at the numbers on the check, and still felt a little heartache, since he came here, he has been very poor, and he is careful to spend money.

The management of the apartment is very happy, they all like the rich Kaizi!

Some staff members also recognized the two and found heavy cameras, and after everyone took turns to take a group photo, John Starks patted Li You on the shoulder:

"Congratulations on settling down in New York, you can come to my house for dinner in the next two days, the little ones will definitely like you!"

Looking at his new home, Li You also showed a smiling face, for a bachelor, this apartment is moved in, and there is no need to add furniture.

At dinner, Li You visited the Starks family who lived on the 22nd floor downstairs with gifts, although he talked about it to the outside world, but in front of his wife, this man became a caring man...

"The worst thing about playing with the Knicks is the unscrupulous media."

"These guys have been worrying about the '94 finals, and as long as they lose, they will look back at the championships they lost that year!"

"John did his best, but the fans in New York wanted us to leave, encouraged by the media!"

After the two sides got acquainted, Jackie, who had a fashionable explosive head, complained about her husband's treatment in New York in recent years.

After coming to Connecticut in the past two years, Li You also knew that John Starks had been sprayed numb in the past two years.

Starks, who was cutting the steak, raised his head and introduced the internal situation of the Knicks to Li You:

"Don't worry about that, Lee! The fans in New York are great, the atmosphere is great, we almost made it, so I don't blame the fans and the media. ”

"It's just that there's definitely going to be a change in the offseason and it's an opportunity for you and I know Van Gundy won't trust me anymore."

Li You nodded, the internal situation of the team is similar to what he knows, Van Gundy intends to improve the attack, the rookie head coach wants to prove that he is not Pat Riley's little henchman...

"Will the Knicks win the championship?"

Starks II, who had been eating obediently, suddenly widened his eyes and asked Li You curiously.

"Of course, you can also participate in the championship parade and sit on the front row of floats!"

As soon as Li You's words fell, Xiao Budian immediately looked at his mother, and then said loudly:

"Mom said the Knicks will never win a championship again in their lives!"

Jackie was a little embarrassed, and immediately glared at his precious son:

"Eat your steak obediently! Don't talk nonsense, little ones! ”

“...”

On July 14, the Knicks also made a move, sending away Brad Lowhouse and Anthony Mason in exchange for Larry Johnson from the Charlotte Hornets.

The replacement center and starting forward were exchanged for the star player Grandmama, for which the media and fans in New York were unanimously praised!

Playing in 81 games with the Charlotte Hornets last season, averaging 20.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, Larry Johnson seems to have fully recovered from a back injury.

The Knicks didn't stop moving, and then they signed free agent Alan Houston and cleaned up some of the members of the atmosphere team.

For this deal, the media in New York is unanimously praised.

Last season, with the Detroit Pistons, Alan Houston averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 45.3% from the field and 42.7% from three-point range!

The efficiency is heavenly, and the media and fans believe that Alan Houston can improve the Knicks' constipated offense!

Li You has been packing up his new home with his friend Ai Wen for the past two days, and after opening a silver party during this period, he has completely settled in the Big Apple...

"Chris Childs? This guy seems to be a defender too, Lee, you've got one more competitor. ”

Evan also began to pay attention to the news of the Knicks, Li You, who was lying on the sofa, didn't care, the new head coach, the new players, everything started again:

"It doesn't matter, the rookie players of the Nets, maybe you can see me starting at Madison Square Garden this season!"