Chapter 222: Making a Fortune in Silence

On September 15, both labor and management announced that a new collective bargaining agreement had been reached. The NBA officially declared with gusto: "This is a great victory; we are moving toward even greater success."

This tumultuous lockout finally ended in a way that pleased everyone, with the new collective bargaining agreement extended until 2017.

At the same time, the Fan Xi Clause was also announced as passed.

Although some people were expressing their displeasure, asking, "Why not call it the Rose Clause? Or the Durant Clause? Among young players, Jack Fan isn't the only one who has won an MVP, nor is he the only one to have made the All-Star team. In fact, he hasn't even made an All-NBA team yet. And most importantly, he isn't even a normal rookie; what he currently possesses is not a rookie contract."

However, these voices did not affect the naming and promotion of the clause.

Fan Xi became the third person in league history to have a clause named after him; the first two were the Bird Clause and the Arenas Clause.

In fact, without the Fan Xi Clause, Fan Xi's subsequent contract renewal would have been strictly restricted by those two clauses.

But, who told him to win the Finals MVP?

If there are no surprises, Fan Xi's second contract will start directly at the maximum salary; he will receive 30% of the salary cap as his starting salary.

For him, this is a landmark action that truly surpasses other rookies.

Blake Griffin and John Wall fought tooth and nail with Fan Xi for Rookie of the Year last season, but now, they have to work hard for the "Fan Xi Clause." If they don't make the All-NBA team twice, or make the All-Star starting lineup twice, or win the regular season MVP, or win the Finals MVP during their rookie contract period, they will lose a large sum of money.

This is what's real.

According to the current situation, Kevin Durant, Fan Xi, and Derek Rose are the three super-novas nailed on to receive a 30% salary cap starting salary renewal.

In addition, Westbrook has a certain chance; he was selected for the All-NBA team last season.

To a certain extent, this reflects a clear fact: the three giants of the new generation are Kevin Durant, Derek Rose, and Fan Xi; they represent three high mountains. Westbrook is still a step away, but the difference is not large.

As for other newcomers, they are still a grade behind.

…

Jean Bas sat in her office, looking at the newly passed collective bargaining agreement and the "Fan Xi Clause." She couldn't help but let out a cold and disdainful snort: "This is nothing more than eating the Lakers' dividends. Leaving the Lakers, he will never dream of touching this kind of honor again in his life."

"But, Jack's injury has fully recovered; he even looks stronger. He completed a beautiful windmill dunk in Zhongguo in August. Last weekend, the Fan-x brand released a training camp log, and he was only 10 centimeters away from completing a free-throw line dunk, if his foot hadn't stepped inside the free-throw line."

Magic Johnson said conservatively.

He is now the new General Manager of the Lakers.

As the best point guard in history and a wealthy man with a vast business empire, the only reason he came here is to revitalize the Lakers and let the Lakers win four, five, or six consecutive championships.

But in fact, he is dissatisfied with Jean Bas's operations. After witnessing Fan Xi's performance in Game 5 of the Finals with his own eyes, he was determined to keep Fan Xi; he knew Fan Xi was a terrifying combat talent.

But Jean traded Fan Xi for Chris Paul before he even took office.

Chris Paul is also very good; he is a super point guard with extreme competitive spirit and strength, and his position as the league's number one is well-deserved.

However, the Lakers lost some public support because of this, and it will take a long time of effort to win it back.

Now, Magic has accepted this fact; the first thing he did after the lockout ended was to host a banquet for Chris Paul's whole family, and it made the Los Angeles Times.

He told everyone in his capacity as Lakers General Manager: "This is the historical heritage of Los Angeles; Los Angeles not only has the league's number one center, but also the league's number one point guard."

However, it sounded like some people still didn't buy it. The next day, another highly influential newspaper in Los Angeles, the Orange County Register, featured a full-body photo of Fan Xi and retorted with a headline: "This is the real Los Angeles number one point guard."

This gunpowder smell of remote rivalry had been colliding everywhere in the City of Angels since the moment Jean completed the trade.

It didn't exist in the past; in the past, the Lakers always suppressed the Clippers, and the Clippers hid in a deserted corner breathing silently. Fan Xi single-handedly raised the Clippers to a position where they could barely compete with the Lakers: now public opinion is roughly 30-70, whereas before it was 10-90, or even lower.

Jean raised her eyebrows indifferently and said: "What does this prove? Will the Clippers sell a few more tickets because of his dunks? I don't need these things, Johnny. How are the talks with Phoenix going?"

"Uh... Stephen's agent team hasn't replied to my email. However, all the media in Phoenix are reporting that Stephen Nash is seeking a trade. The fans in Phoenix aren't complaining; they are very supportive of Nash going to chase a championship in the final stage of his career."

Magic Johnson said.

Stephen Nash has one year left on his contract, but he can choose to waive it, sign a long-term contract, and then trade himself.

This is a very good thing for the Suns, for Nash himself, and for the potential next team.

"The Suns won't make things difficult for him; the Suns are a team that values human sentiment. Nash has contributed so much to them, they will consider Nash," Jean Bas said affectionately.

This sentence made Magic feel strange, so are we Lakers not a team that values human sentiment? Oh, it seems so; we just ruthlessly sold off the Finals MVP who gave his all for us as a means of production.

"Pay attention to the movements of the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat, and the Boston Celtics; they will act crazily this offseason, and they are very likely to join the ranks of snatching Nash."

Jean Bas continued.

At this time, Magic asked Jean: "What about the Clippers? They now have sufficient salary space, and they were very successful in the draft..."

"Don't worry about them," Jean raised her eyebrows and said: "That miser Sterling is reluctant to invest. And, who with real vision would go to join a terrible, clumsy team?"

…

"Have you made your decision?"

Fan Xi looked at Richard Hamilton in front of him.

Hamilton is now an unrestricted free agent; he spent the past nine seasons in Detroit, and he and Ben Wallace once took down the super arrogant Lakers dynasty in 2004.

Now he is 33 years old, and last season his scoring average dropped to the lowest of his Pistons career, 14.3 points.

However, for a shooter who moves without the ball, this age is not too old.

"I need to partner with a point guard who can truly space the floor; I feel like I still have gas in my tank. My agent suggested I go to Chicago, but I watched your Finals games, so I wanted to talk to you, and it just so happens I ran into you here."

Hamilton said to Fan Xi with a smile.

They were standing in the restroom at this moment, each holding their own bird.

This was a community outreach event held by the NBA, and both Fan Xi and Hamilton attended. Hamilton also has property in Los Angeles.

"Then let's have a happy cooperation." Fan Xi reached out and shook hands with Hamilton through the partition.

Hamilton was very happy.

The next day, free agent Richard Hamilton reached a 3-year, $14 million contract with the Clippers, with the first two years being guaranteed.

For the 33-year-old Hamilton, this price is the market rate.

The negotiations between the two sides were very smooth; Hamilton came specifically for Fan Xi. He doesn't lack championship rings, and he doesn't lack money; he just wants to go to a team that needs him and a system where he can perform, to release the last bit of gas in his tank.

Fan Xi was his first choice.

Hamilton and the Clippers completed the first free-agent signing since the NBA lockout ended. This signing increased the depth of the Clippers' roster; Hamilton is a solid player, and everyone believes he can produce a wonderful chemical reaction with Fan Xi. He is a player who is good at running and good at mid-range shots without the ball; Fan Xi needs such a helper.

Clippers fans were all excited about this signing.

The current fixed roster for the Clippers is: Blake Griffin, Brian Cook, Kawhi Leonard, Mike Dunleavy, Ryan Gomes, Jimmy Butler, Fan Xi, plus Hamilton.

This lineup has already begun to take shape.

Clippers fans were very excited; they believed the Clippers would make better reinforcements in the coming time.

At the same time, the news of this signing was placed on Jean Bas's desk. She was somewhat dismissive: "Hamilton? If it were the Hamilton of five years ago, maybe it would be worth looking at, but what can the current Hamilton do? A bunch of rookies plus a veteran, and the Clippers can turn the sky upside down?"

Jean Bas was dismissive; she was continuously paying attention to Stephen Nash's movements.

Stephen Nash and the Suns reached some consensus, and the Suns agreed to trade this player who had made great contributions to the team.

Nash gave too much to this team; he brought too much splendor and emotion to Phoenix. Now the Suns are falling apart, and they can no longer equip the aging Suns with a championship lineup, so the best way is naturally to send him away.

In fact, Suns fans also expressed their attitude very early: "Stephen, you can leave."

They staged a rare warmth and understanding in the commercial league.

Now the Bulls, Magic, Heat, and Lakers are all crazily pursuing Nash, hoping to get this former NBA number one point guard to join. Nash's greatness needs no proof; his ability has long been proven by his mercury-pouring, magnificent offensive style.

At the same time, Fan Xi was discussing something with Hamilton.

Their first meeting was in a public restroom, and now they were sitting in a coffee shop next to the Clippers club. Hamilton said: "We currently lack some inside experience; we need an experienced big man, preferably one who is good at both offense and defense. Any team needs a veteran."

Fan Xi looked at Hamilton with a smile.

He had met Hamilton two or three times; this mid-range shooter who is good at running often wears a mask during games, making it hard to see his expression. But in life, it is very easy to guess his thoughts.

When he brought this up, Fan Xi knew he had a candidate.

"We also hope to get such a veteran, but it's hard to find." Fan Xi followed his words.

"How about Rasheed? I mean Rasheed Wallace; he's very good, he has always maintained his best state." Hamilton said: "Before I came to Los Angeles, I went to Pennsylvania. I went hunting with him in the forest; he is as fierce as a brown bear. I am sure his state is still that of an NBA player; he can at least maintain 20 minutes of efficient output in a game."

"In fact, teams have been inviting him to come out of retirement for the past two years, but he hasn't found where his fun lies."

Hamilton recommended his former teammate to Fan Xi, the very famous "Rasheed Wallace" among the Wallace brothers of the Pistons.

In the early 21st century, there was always talk of the "Four Great Power Forwards" in the league, and Rasheed Wallace was the fifth power forward outside the Four Great Power Forwards.

His peak period was undoubtedly that of an All-Star level player, although his temper was known for being irritable, breaking the historical record for technical fouls.

However, he had a set of skills on both the offensive and defensive ends. If he really maintained a good physical state, letting him join the roster would be a worthwhile thing. Moreover, he could provide very good experience for DeAndre Jordan and Griffin.

Fan Xi said: "This is really great; I will definitely recommend him to the General Manager."

Rasheed Wallace arrived in Los Angeles three days later. General Manager Old Dunleavy examined him; although he was not as fierce as Hamilton said, his physical state was really well maintained.

In the end, Old Dunleavy signed him at the veteran minimum salary, 1 year for $1.4 million.

After this trade was announced, it didn't cause too many waves; for the whole league, it was just an insignificant signing.

Wallace was already old.

Some media close to the Lakers even mocked the Clippers because of this: "It seems that Jack's way of revenge is to gather a bunch of players who once defeated the Lakers, and ignore their age."

"If the Clippers don't have a blockbuster signing, they are very likely to not even make the playoffs. The competition in the West this year is unprecedentedly fierce."

Some media under the ESPN matrix were making sarcastic remarks.

Fan Xi stayed quietly in the training camp until noon on September 24.

On September 23, the Phoenix Suns announced a 3-year, $27 million contract renewal with Stephen Nash.

This meant that Nash's trade was just one step away.

The Heat, Bulls, and Lakers were all crazily contacting Nash's team, offering various guarantees.

It seemed that these three teams were also the teams closest to the championship.

The whole world was analyzing which of these three teams Nash would go to.

The final result was announced in the early morning of September 24.

It shocked everyone's glasses.

Except for Fan Xi.

Of course, Fan Xi also had a little bit of surprise; he didn't expect that not only did Nash come over, but there was another important task.

Old Dunleavy is really making a fortune in silence.

… ===== CHAPTER 223 =====