Houston.

Yao Ming is a little troubled now.

There's only one team that now offers him a five-year salary cap, and it's one he didn't expect at all: the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But it makes sense.

The so-called from thrift to luxury, from luxury to thrift difficult, I have tried 36D, and then let you use a tablet, you must not accept it.

So now that there's a chance to re-own a new 36D, who's going to say no?

While a five-year cap salary is very risky, it could allow the Cavaliers to quickly make up for the loss of the market because of James' departure, and possibly even more.

You must know that before Yao Ming went to the Rockets, even if the Rockets were in Houston, Rockets owner Alexander was one of the poorest owners in the NBA.

But in the past eight years, he has been in the middle of the boss.

And Yao Ming can still play now, especially if he can pack Artest.

If you really get Yao Ming, the Cavaliers will start next season: Mo Williams + Anthony Parker + Artest + Jamison + Yao Ming, as long as Yao Ming is not injured, this lineup will guarantee the playoffs.

There is also a Chinese market, and there is no need to worry about selling tickets, and the price is only to risk an extra two years, and this deal looks like a good deal.

But this is from the perspective of the Cavaliers, from Yao Ming's point of view, when I go to Cleveland, there is always a feeling of entering the mall toilet, pushing the door and going in to find that the person in front of me is not rushing.

"Yao, Tom wants to meet you."

Just when he was upset, Bill Duffy called him and told him a message.

Thibodeau?

Thibodeau was an assistant coach of the Rockets back then, and he single-handedly built the Rockets' defensive system, and he had a good relationship with him.

When Thibodeau was officially announced as the head coach of the Bulls, he also sent a text message to congratulate him.

Just why did Thibodeau find him at this point?

It can't be pulling him to play for the Bulls, right?

You must know that the Bulls already have Noah, and he will definitely not be able to go.

"When did he say he was coming?" Yao Ming couldn't guess, so he could only wait for the meeting.

"They're already in Houston."

Duffy's answer surprised Yao Ming again.

But since he came, he must do his landlord's friendship.

An hour later.

Yao Restaurant.

Yao Ming met Thibodeau.

Not only Thibodeau, but also a white man who looks like Maitreya Buddha.

"Yao, how are you doing in Houston lately?" Thibodeau did not rush to introduce Foreman, but first talked about the old with Yao Ming.

"Not bad." Yao Ming squeezed out a smile, but it was clear that his unstretched eyebrows betrayed him.

"Is it really good?" Thibodeau asked rhetorically.

"Well, it's not that bad." Seeing that he couldn't hide it, Yao Ming could only reply with a wry smile.

Thibodeau already knew this when he saw this, and he knew Yao Ming, and knew that Yao Ming was a very smart person, so he didn't go around too much, and then introduced him: "This is Gal Foreman, the general manager of the Bulls. ”

Because Foreman was the general manager who only took office last year, Yao Ming hadn't seen him yet, but when Thibodeau said this, he instantly understood.

Thibodeau really came to recruit him to the Bulls!

"Hello, Mr. Foreman." Yao Ming got up and shook hands with Foreman to say hello.

"Hello." Foreman has never been in contact with Yao Ming, and now he has been in contact with him, and he is really the same as Thibodeau said, very humble.

"Yao, we want to invite you to join the Bulls, you know the Bulls are a very young team right now, and we need a player with a lot of experience like you to guide the team." After sitting back down, Foreman got straight to the point.

"It was too sudden." Although Yao Ming had already guessed it, he was still surprised when it was actually put on the table, because the Bulls had never expressed interest in him before.

"To be honest, our target was Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade wanted to join us, so honestly, you weren't in our plans at first." Foreman chose to speak with sincerity because he knew that telling a lie in front of a smart person would be counterproductive.

Sure enough, Yao Ming was surprised by Forman's words, and his expression was much more serious than before.

"And then you know, they all chose to go to Miami, so Tom recommended you and he said you're the best player for us, you're tough, you're calm, you're experienced, you're hardworking, you're willing to help the youngsters, the team, you have all the qualities we need, and I trust him because what he's talking about, it's the same thing that I've seen."

Foreman's next words made Yao Ming feel very comfortable again.

He also got a real sense of Foreman's business capabilities.

"And, we all have the same goal right now, the championship." After seeing Yao Ming's expression change, Foreman hit the railroad while it was hot.

Yao Ming had already come to his senses at this time.

He admits that every word Foreman says is on his heart.

The Bulls showed their potential last season, and his addition could make the Bulls a championship-contented team.

Of course, the championship is also something he has always longed for.

Moreover, he can also play with Xu Yong.

If it weren't for the fact that the Bulls had never contacted him before, and Foreman's sincere words just now, he would have felt that Xu Yong was a lobbyist sent by the Bulls in advance!

But come to think of it, Xu Yong shouldn't be that kind of person.

"But you've got Joakim Noah." Yao Ming said.

This is the reason why he felt that he could not join the Bulls before, and Noah's shooting and movement speed could not play power forward.

As for the twin towers?

Don't be funny, what age is this, that thing can't be played for a long time.

"He's going to Houston."

Then, Foreman's words surprised Yao Ming.

You know, Noah showed full talent and potential when he played against the Cavaliers in the playoffs last season, and the Bulls let it go like this?

"That's what we're determined to get you." Foreman said earnestly.

When Thibodeau mentioned Yao Ming to him before, he really didn't think about it at all.

It's the same as Yao Ming thought, because of Noah.

In fact, if they were willing to add Noah to the contract when they dealt with Hinrich and Deng before, they could still do it.

But the lineup of Rose + Wade + Xu Yong + Bosh + Kwame Brown is too poor on the inside.

As for the free agency signing, because Tyson Chandler chose to exercise the player contract option, there is no better than Brown right now.

And he thought it was okay in the previous wave because all five people could play, but if it was this lineup, he would have to consider the strength of the interior line, as well as the compatibility of Rose and Wade.

So in the end, even if he didn't have a chance, he was still reluctant to give away Noah.

But the path proposed by Thibodeau, which the family had never thought of, made him a little enlightened.

Noah was replaced by Yao Ming, it must be an upgrade, and it was not a half-star improvement.

And because Yao Ming is a free agent, the Bulls can also take this opportunity to send Hinrich out to free up new salary space to prepare for subsequent reinforcements.

Of course, the most important thing is that, as he said earlier, Yao Ming can bring the most lacking game experience to the Bulls.

Their loss to the Celtics last season, including the G5 loss against the Cavaliers, was a key factor.

"I don't think there's a reason for me to say no, but I have a personal request." Yao Ming continued.

"Contract? Rest assured, we will provide you with a five-year maximum salary quote. "Foreman is a man who does big things.

"No, I mean...... Can you bring Ron Artest? When Foreman said that he would be paid a maximum salary for five years, Yao Ming felt that he was embarrassed to mention anything more, but for the sake of Artest, he still gritted his teeth and opened his mouth.

"It's even more of a problem, and if we can get Ron, it will only improve our team even further." Foreman said with a smile.

In fact, the reason why he is willing to send out Noah is also because he knows that Yao Ming and Artest are bound, with his understanding of Mo Gou, if you really want to sign Yao Ming naked, Mo Gou will definitely not come out of Artest.

And without Artest, Yao Ming would not have come.

This is reluctant to let the child not be able to trap the wolf, as an agent, one thing you must learn is to make trade-offs.

Hearing this, Yao Ming didn't have any thoughts at all, he got up and stretched out his hand to Foreman, and said with a smile: "See you in Chicago." ”

……

"I'm leaving the rocket." Xu Yong received another call from Yao Ming.

When he heard this, Xu Yong was very happy.

Yao Ming finally chose to leave the rocket, which is definitely a good thing for him.

"Where to go?" He asked right away.

"Guess first." Yao Ming sold him a guanzi.

"Mavericks? Or the Lakers? It can't be a knight, right? ”

The Mavericks and Lakers are the two most suitable teams for Yao Ming, and if the Cavaliers are concerned, he has seen rumors about making an offer for Yao Ming before.

"Neither, Chicago."

"Shiba...... What? ”

Xu Yong was stunned, and he stood up in the next second.

Yao Ming is coming to the Bulls?

This is the situation of Shenma!

Rao is brain open, and he never imagined that Yao Ming would actually come to the Bulls.

"What? Aren't you welcome? Yao Ming asked with a smile.

"How could it not be welcome! I wish we could play together! Xu Yong said with a smile.

In this foreign country, everyone is usually busy playing games, and they see each other twice a season, so how can it be convenient to be teammates.

"I just met with Thibodeau and Foreman, and we just talked about the intentions, and it depends on the deal, but I should come with Artest."

"Perfect." Xu Yong gave an evaluation.

If you want to say that among the players who can carry the Heat Zhan, Artest is definitely the first gear, and this wave of buy one get one free is comparable to an explosion.

The two chatted for a while about Yao Ming and Foreman, and hung up the phone.

But when he put down his phone, Xu Yong's mood was so complicated.

To be honest, he persuaded Yao Ming to leave the rocket, including bringing Artest with him, purely to help Yao Ming solve the problem.

As a result, inexplicably, it turned into an assist for himself.

This wave is really unintentionally inserted into the willows.

Although he was somewhat reluctant to think that Noah was leaving Chicago, after all, the latter had become his hardcore little brother after releasing his previous suspicions.

But thinking that it was Yao Ming who came, he was instantly relieved.

Those who achieve great things are not informal, not to mention that he is just a player now, and he has no say in the whole process.

It's just that there is a feeling of impatience.

……

Fast forward to July 10th.

This is a critical time point for the free market, because after this day, the "July freeze" is over. [Note 12]

This also means that after this day, the players will start to officially sign.

So those players who are still thinking about it, basically make a decision before that.

The Rockets and the Bulls finally reached a deal after a tug-of-war negotiation.

Yao Ming signed a 3+1+1 five-year, 100 million max contract with the Rockets (with a player option for the second two years), packaged Artest and a 2013 first-round pick traded from the Raptors, acquired Noah and Lore Deng, and a trade exception worth 10 million.

Mo Dog is still a dog, refusing to accept Hinrich's contract, and in the end, both sides gave in to each step, the Bulls traded Hinrich for Deng, and the Rockets sent an extra unprotected first rounder.

After the Heat Big Three detonated the free market, this wave of news once again caused a violent shock in the league.

The first to be shaken was Stern, who was in the Alliance's New York headquarters building at this time.

Stern almost fainted.

James' decision had already made him angry, and he couldn't stop it from intervening.

James was infamous on his back, and he fed all the hard work he put into James before.

It turned out to be good now, he hadn't slowed down, and he came back again.

Eggs can't be put in one basket, especially Xu Yong and Yao Ming.

Last season's Yao Xu derby's traffic was phenomenal.

As a result, now the two of them are running in a team!

The league lost hundreds of millions of dollars, and most of that money went to the Bulls.

This was by no means what he wanted to see.

But he was just as powerless as he was when he faced ESPN.

Although he is the president of the league, he has neither the authority to interfere with the signing of free agents nor to stop a compliant deal.

……

At the same time that Stern was about to be stunned, fans on social media were already in a mess, and there were all kinds of voices.

There is Jamie who has turned on taunt mode and put on the coat of the Heat.

"The Bulls keep Noah, and then operate to sign Boozer, there is still a little chance to play the Heat, and now this lineup, two words, for nothing."

"If the Bulls were able to black eight last year because James' teammates were not good, they will definitely sweep you when they meet the Heat again this year!"

"I'm laughing to death, we haven't started to strengthen yet, the opponent is gone, it's not too early to open champagne, right?"

"That's right, let's smash Kobe Bryant to win the championship, the era of LeBron has finally come!"

"Arrogant face: Who else?!"

……

There are Houston fans scolding Mo Gou.

"We just reached the Western Conference Finals last season, and the team actually let Yao go?!"

"It's really, Noah and Dunga are not as good as Yao together, and we have lost Artest, oh my God, what the hell does the management think!"

"The Rockets don't deserve Yao, and I hope Yao can get his championship in Chicago and slap management in the face."

"This is really too grateful, Mo Gou also said that he would definitely renew Yao's contract with the highest salary before, and I want to refund the ticket!"

……

Of course, there were also Bulls fans who celebrated.

"Foreman is fantastic, he did two things after he took the position, he traded half a team for Xu, and now he has traded for Yao, and the Bulls are on the right path!"

"This is Yao, although I am reluctant to Noah and Deng, but we have the best center in the league."

"To correct a point, Yao is only the top two center in the league, but he can just beat the other top two center."

"I'm laughing to death, the Magic management must be scolding my mother right now, and the thing their general manager wants to pray for most this season is not to meet us in the playoffs."

'Deng is a good player and although I would have preferred it to be Hinrich who was sent away, then we won't have a problem with the ball next season.

"And don't forget Ron Artest! Yao, Xu, Artest, how do I feel that this lineup is a bit aimed at the Heat? ”

"See you in Chicago!"

……

Miami.

James, who was having another party and revelry, saw the news under Paul's reminder, and he was stunned for a while before covering his head with his right hand.

Yao Ming, Artest...... A dead memory in his mind was attacking him in a frenzy.

At the same time, Riley, who was tasting the latest red wine on the balcony on the second floor, watched the news for a long time, and accidentally knocked over the red wine glass on the table when he got up.

"Wow~"

With a crunch, the glass shattered to the ground.

Looking at the broken glass on the ground, he couldn't help but lose his mind for a while.

Calculate it, how did you miss Yao Ming.

No, it was a miscalculation of the determination of that Foreman guy.

It seems that in the coming season, the Bulls will become the Heat's fierce rival in the East.

Regarding the transaction, although it is explained in the text, I still add two more points, in the case of opening the eyes of the sky, Noah is the future double-first-team center, but in the eyes of Forman, it is a lotto show that did not perform well in the first two years and improved a lot in the third year, and is facing a contract renewal immediately, it is worth sending it out for Yao Ming, and then there is the problem of Deng, Deng's body type is not the same as Artest, he can't play power forward, so with the arrival of Artai, he will become very chicken, and there is also the problem of ball possession that was written earlier, And his contract is very long, in the eyes of Forman, it will affect the renewal of Ross and Xu Yong, so in the end he chose to compromise with Mo Gou, although even if there are these problems, if Mo Gou accepts Xin Liqi, he will not send Deng away at this time, and then Mo Gou is a person with a very distinct personality in reality, he will definitely rob you if he seizes the opportunity, if you are not satisfied, he will only let the deal fail, and in the end, the Bulls still have more than 8 million space after this wave of transactions, and there will be follow-up reinforcements, and it is useful, oh yes, There is also the two-year player option after the contract is not only the Bulls' respect for Yao Ming, but also Yao Ming's feedback to the Bulls, because if he really can't play, he will jump out of the contract and retire, I checked the retirement contract, if it wasn't for Bosh, it seems that it would still be counted in the salary cap

(End of chapter)