Chapter 26: Multi-Millionaire Fan Xi

Carmelo Anthony was full of sincerity.

Anthony was known for being unruly when he was young, but now as he got older, he wanted to achieve team honors more and more, and wanted to prove himself in terms of record more and more. He teamed up with Iverson in Denver and teamed up with Andre Miller, but didn't achieve success.

Now that he had come to New York, he looked forward to becoming the real King of Madison.

However, he and Stoudemire had never been compatible.

The team needed a point guard who could reconcile them; the team's starting point guard Chris Duhon had already proven that he didn't have this ability.

So, they cast their eyes on the rising Fan Xi.

Fan Xi was a real free agent, and his playing style was extremely compatible with the tactics.

So, D'Antoni brought Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony to Fan Xi's hotel together. This kind of recruitment specification was unprecedented, and it usually only appeared when recruiting that kind of superstar.

"Jack, join New York. Everything you want is here, and what is more challenging than becoming a hero in New York City? Let's create a big era together; I believe that if we add up, we will be an Eastern force that surpasses the Miami Heat Big Three."

Stoudemire patted Fan Xi on the shoulder and said with boiling blood.

New York, the number one international metropolis in the world.

Even the Lion King fantasized about becoming the King of New York; honestly, the attraction here to Fan Xi was indeed very great.

And Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire were both good stars; once a chemical reaction occurred with them, there was a chance to compete with the Miami Heat Big Three who formed a group at their peak last year.

It sounded very tempting.

"But..."

Fan Xi pursed his lips, and then made a gesture of rubbing his fingers: "The money still has to be in place."

Hahahaha!

Fan Xi's words made the three of them laugh out loud.

They didn't expect this rookie to be so real.

They drew such a big pie for him, and he looked calm, but it turned out that he reached out his hand to ask for money.

Very good, very strong.

Talk business when talking business.

D'Antoni liked dealing with Fan Xi.

So, he said to Fan Xi heartily: "Tell me, what is your expected annual salary? No one will have more money than New York."

Fan Xi was about to answer.

He heard Jimbas's voice from outside: "... is that so?"

They finally rushed from Los Angeles to New York, and arrived at Fan Xi's hotel at the first opportunity.

The game hadn't ended yet, and they had already made up their minds.

But they didn't expect that after the game ended, the Kardashian family made Fan Xi's fame soar suddenly, becoming a traffic star in the basketball circle.

They were too afraid of others getting there first.

So they rushed, but didn't expect that they still let this group of New York Knicks get there first.

They heard D'Antoni's words outside the door, and Jimbas couldn't take it anymore, so he rushed in.

As soon as he came in, he raised the contract in his hand.

"I don't believe you can give such a sincere contract."

Jimbas walked in.

He handed the contract to Fan Xi openly.

Fan Xi took a look, and he was stunned: didn't expect the Lakers to really give such a contract.

22 million US dollars for 2 years.

My God!

D'Antoni stuck his head out, and he let out an exclamation.

He was a head coach who had been in the NBA for many years; his self-cultivation should be very good, the kind that wouldn't change color even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him.

But this contract still broke his limit of imagination.

He originally thought that giving Fan Xi an average annual salary of about five million was already the Lakers' limit. After all, the starting salary of this year's number one draft pick was only 5 million.

Didn't expect the Lakers to come up with a super double.

"Does this comply with the regulations?" Stoudemire couldn't believe his eyes; his rookie contract four years added up to less than 12 million US dollars, didn't expect the Lakers to give an undrafted player an eight-figure annual salary, more than twice that of the number one draft pick.

"Of course it complies with the regulations. Jack is a free agent, and he is not restricted by the rookie contract." Ku Pu Qie Ke said in a firm tone.

"Back then, the contract between me and James was far less than the amount of this contract; he is almost at the maximum salary now. So..."

Carmelo Anthony stared, he was incredible, both envious and shocked, didn't expect there was such an operation: "He was undrafted, but instead got a blessing in disguise?"

"Yes." Jimbas nodded.

He was very happy to see the New York trio's lack of experience.

The Lakers had always been at the forefront of the League in signing contracts. Back then, they dared to give Magic Johnson a 10-year rookie contract, they also dared to give O'Neal a 7-year 120 million US dollar contract, and they dared even more to give Kobe a super maximum salary renewal contract.

So, in this regard, you can always trust the Lakers.

D'Antoni swallowed his saliva.

He originally thought he could settle this contract as soon as he walked over; he even thought about giving Fan Xi a 3-year 15-million contract equal to the number one draft pick.

But, who could have thought the Lakers would be so fierce?

Such a high contract must be asked for the boss's instructions.

Although the Knicks' boss was wealthy and powerful, he had been scolded for being stupid and having too much money all these years, which made him check big contracts relatively carefully.

"Jack, give me some time. I'll call you in the afternoon; I still say the same thing, I am willing to add 500,000 US dollars on the basis of the Lakers' contract."

D'Antoni said this in front of Ku Pu Qie Ke.

It was just that he still had to go back and ask the boss for instructions.

He felt it wasn't a big problem.

Jimbas and Ku Pu Qie Ke didn't expect D'Antoni to intervene.

Jimbas simply hardened his heart: "Ku Pu Qie Ke, we will add 1 million in bonuses to the contract, and increase the total amount to 23 million. Mike, I don't think your boss will allow you to increase the price to 23.5 million at all. If you don't believe it, just wait and see."

He said harsh words to D'Antoni.

D'Antoni didn't confront him head-on, but quickly left with Stoudemire and Anthony. When the three left, they also actively indicated that they really wanted to fight side by side with Fan Xi.

Fan Xi watched the three of them leave.

Only he, Jimbas, and Ku Pu Qie Ke were left in the room.

Fan Xi lowered his head and looked at the contract carefully again.

In fact, this was a partially guaranteed contract; the guaranteed amount was 15 million US dollars. In the first year, Fan Xi's guaranteed salary was 7 million, and the remaining two million US dollars were playoff rewards; if the Lakers entered the playoffs, he could get a 2-million bonus, and if Fan Xi's average stats reached 10 points and 6 assists, another 2 million US dollars would be added. The guaranteed salary for the second season was 8 million US dollars, entering the playoffs 2 million, average stats 12+6, adding a bonus of 1 million.

Frankly speaking, both of these indicators were very easy to achieve.

But they were just used to cover people's eyes.

Now, Jimbas waved his pen and added another 1 million to Fan Xi.

The sincerity was full.

"I will let the lawyer redraft the contract now." Jimbas said to Fan Xi very sincerely: "You are an indispensable member of us."

In terms of the relationship with the team's stars, the Lakers were absolutely the best among all teams in the League.

As long as the superstar who had left a name in the Lakers' history, the Lakers gave very good treatment. Magic was given compensatory shares, Jabbar had been serving as a consultant for the team and receiving a high salary, Jerry West was the general manager of the team before, and Kobe Bryant, he was about to get the highest annual salary in NBA history, surpassing Michael Jordan back then.

On the contrary, the New York Knicks had a history that was very inhumane; they sold Patrick Ewing, who was old and weak, directly back then, and this move chilled many people's hearts. After all, in the 80s and 90s, Ewing was the symbol and totem of bloody New York.

After chatting with Jimbas, Kobe Bryant called.

He chatted with Fan Xi for about 20 minutes.

Kobe was incomparably sincere on the phone; he analyzed the team's situation for Fan Xi, told him what the team needed him to do, and promised that he would gradually reduce his ball possession and transition the ball possession to him; he hoped that Fan Xi could really take over the Lakers' banner.

And, he told Fan Xi: "This is a very challenging contract. The Lakers need great courage and perseverance to offer it, because it breaks the League's unspoken rules. No team has ever offered such an amazing contract to an undrafted player; it requires bearing huge public opinion pressure and criticism."

After finishing the call with Kobe Bryant, Fan Xi had no hesitation in his heart.

From the moment Mike D'Antoni left, he had actually already made his choice.

Although D'Antoni claimed that he would add 500,000 US dollars, his previous shocked expression and the hesitation of not being able to fulfill the promise immediately all indicated: he had never thought about giving Fan Xi an eight-figure annual salary.

When he was very young, Fan Xi's mother taught him: if someone asks you if you want candy, if you want a gift, you say no.

Because, the person who really wants to give you candy and wants to give you a gift will never ask you if you want it.

Just like D'Antoni's move, what Fan Xi wanted was a direct and affirmative contract, not the weighing of pros and cons with the boss back in the office.

So, Fan Xi soon said to Jimbas: "I have no problem, if the contract is drafted, I can sign it."

Jimbas was a bit surprised, and he said: "Are you not waiting for D'Antoni?"

Fan Xi smiled, and he said: "I still like to wear the purple and gold jersey."

"Hahahaha!" Jimbas and Ku Pu Qie Ke laughed heartily.

So much so that Jimbas added another 500,000 US dollar bonus. This bonus clause was... as long as the Lakers won a championship within two years, he could get it.

Compared to the previous two clauses, this was a reward that was very difficult to obtain.

But Fan Xi said: "I will definitely get this 500,000."

He was full of energy.

This made Jimbas and Ku Pu Qie Ke very happy.

Inside James Dolan's office.

This famous rich second generation in New York City was lying obliquely on his boss chair, his feet on the desk, his bloated body squeezed into the chair, and he, with a face full of beard, was smoking a cigar.

He was known for being crazy when he was young, and was the most notorious playboy in New York City, taking drugs, drinking, hunting for beauty... he had done everything.

It was just that his life was good; his old man integrated all the industries for him before he died. He now had a lot of money coming in just by lying on the bed.

However, he hated people saying that his life was good, and hated even more saying that he brought New York into hell.

Clearly, it was that damn Isiah Thomas who stole his trust, signed so many garbage contracts for the team, and then the Knicks kept sinking.

Now, wasn't Mike D'Antoni invited over?

However.

"What?????"

James Dolan stared: "You said you wanted to give that undrafted player a 2-year 23.5 million US dollar contract? Are you crazy? Just because he participated in the Kardashian sisters' show? Just because he fell in love with that little girl Jenner?"

"No, boss. His ability on the court is very strong. He defeated Derek Rose and John Wall; I assert that he will achieve amazing success in the NBA. I have analyzed his playing style, and he is very compatible with my tactical philosophy..." D'Antoni said seriously.

"No! No! No!"

James Dolan waved his hands repeatedly, interrupting D'Antoni's words: "Every player will have some highlight moments; this is too normal. You can't give him 20 million just because he played three good games. Didn't those garbage players signed by Isiah Thomas before have outstanding performances? But in the end?"

James Dolan asserted: "If you sign him, it will definitely become a garbage contract. And, he likes to hang out with female stars; don't bring the atmosphere of our New York locker room bad again. The media used to attack us saying our locker room was a drug den, a prison. If you sign him, people will say it's the second Grammy awards scene."

Dolan said with lingering fear.

D'Antoni tried to say something more.

But D'Antoni already wouldn't let him continue: "You can continue to seek trades, trade for the point guard you like. But don't play with garbage contracts anymore; this kid won't work. I don't trust handsome guys."

Uh...

D'Antoni looked at the boss's appearance of refusing people thousands of miles away, and he was very depressed.

He was also very annoyed.

Why did the Lakers dare to give such a high contract? Were they crazy? Raising prices like this, aren't they afraid of paying luxury tax?

He sighed and walked out of James Dolan's office.

He didn't know how to talk to Fan Xi now.

Phew!

Then don't say it.

D'Antoni decided to treat his previous words as chalk words and reached out to wipe them off.

Fortunately, Fan Xi didn't stupidly wait for his response, but signed directly after the Lakers drafted a new contract.

Then this contract would be sent to the League headquarters for backup, and then it would officially take effect.

There wouldn't be any complications, because it was completely in line with the rules.

It was just that no team had ever done this before.

The Lakers just set a precedent.

"You probably won't be able to make it to the next game." Jimbas said to Fan Xi with a smile after the contract was signed: "As a multi-millionaire, you can now go shopping everywhere in Manhattan and buy something."

Fan Xi was of course very happy.

He wasn't planning to go shopping, but he received an invitation from Kim Kardashian; he had to cross the Hudson River, head to the other side of New York City, and attend a dinner party for Kim Kardashian and Humphries.

Lamar Odom would also go.

He was there as a brother-in-law.

Fan Xi... should also be there as a little brother-in-law, right?

Anyway, now the whole world felt that Fan Xi and Jenner were a match made in heaven.

Is anyone reading my book? Squeak or vote. If there are many people, I will speed up the rhythm and update 10,000 words a day starting tomorrow. ===== CHAPTER 27 =====