Chapter 609: The Year's Draft Convention

Fan Xi participated in the championship parade held by the New York Knicks.

He stood on the bus, holding the Finals MVP trophy and the championship trophy, enjoying the cheers of the whole street and the champagne sprayed by his teammates.

Of course, he didn't always stand at the front to show off; more often he was in the back coordinating with teammates for photos, and chatting with Nash, Garnett, and Hamilton.

Although Fan Xi is young, these old guys automatically count him as part of their camp.

Ben Wallace hugged Fan Xi, he said: "Jie Ke, I never dreamed that I, who had already retired once, would still get a championship ring. I enjoyed the treatment of Michael Jordan."

Ben Wallace is good at self-deprecation.

In this regard, Fan Xi is not very good.

The news of his interview on the Conan show has been spreading wildly; entertainment media today also dispatched many people, trying to get something out of Fan Xi's mouth.

However, Fan Xi remains silent on non-basketball topics.

His teammates also respect him; no one asks him about this.

Fan Xi now has some other worries that need to be dealt with.

The Clippers' contract renewal issue.

First and foremost is DeAndre Jordan, who signed a 4-year, $43 million contract with the Clippers in 2011. The final year is a player option, allowing him to opt out and test the free-agent market.

He now hopes to sign a contract with the Clippers with an average annual salary over $20 million.

His agent believes that little Jordan has made outstanding contributions to the team this past season, and moreover the league lacks centers, plus the overall environment has improved, the Clippers' profits are very good, so there is no reason to break up the current roster when Fan Xi is about to return.

So he wants to help little Jordan make a fortune.

Their offer is four years, $90 million, which they believe is worth it.

Ku Pu Qie Ke and Fan Xi discussed this matter; Ku Pu Qie Ke believes the team very much needs little Jordan, but if they give out such a high contract, they will inevitably suffer salary cap repercussions and have to pay high luxury taxes.

Because Fan Xi's salary is fixed at the supermax.

Leonard will also need a re-sign after the 14-15 season, definitely a max contract.

Rubio is the same; his rookie contract will also expire in the 14-15 season, and the Clippers desperately need this type of player. Keeping him would at least require a starting salary of ten million per year.

At the same time, Mili Xiqi is also opting out of his contract alongside little Jordan.

Mili Xiqi currently has great family pressure; he needs a contract with an annual salary of ten million.

He and little Jordan form the Clippers' interior foundation; the Clippers must keep at least one of them.

Mili Xiqi's agent hopes to obtain a long-term extension; they are asking for five years, $60 million. This price is reasonable, not excessive; over the past two seasons Mili Xiqi's performance has been promising, and in many important games he has been more reliable than little Jordan.

Even if he leaves the Clippers, he can definitely secure a ten-million-dollar annual salary, and could even get over thirteen million.

However, most teams will consider his past bust label, as well as whether he will still play after leaving Fan Xi—after all, the previous bust that soared under Fan Xi's guidance, Kuameibulang, has now become a garbage contract, a huge salary burden for the Timberwolves, impossible to trade even at a loss.

Furthermore, the Clippers still have a lot of recruitment work to do this summer.

They basically undergo a major personnel overhaul almost every summer.

Fan Xi is now feeling troubled.

On one hand, he doesn't want to suppress the wages of his comrades-in-arms, seeing each other every day in the same locker room. But as an operator, he definitely wants to maximize profits.

This is probably the sorrow of Fan Xi being both boss and player.

"Jie Ke, bring me to Los Angeles next season."

JR Smith walked over and once again expressed his loyalty to Fan Xi.

Behind him also stood Josh Smith, who proved this season that he still has gas in the tank. He also told Fan Xi: "I also want to give Los Angeles a try. Mainly because I enjoy playing with you."

The two Smiths can be considered Fan Xi's left and right arms in New York City.

They have delivered outstanding performances in important playoff games.

However, the Clippers are not lacking in guards and forwards.

Leonard tends to dominate ball usage, and another Greek monster, Giannis, is also a key focus of development. Therefore, Fan Xi can at most bring along one of the two Smiths.

Both palms and backs of hands are flesh, and they're both named Smith—what a hassle.

So Fan Xi just smiled and said: "Ku Pu Qie Ke will get in touch with you by phone later, if the management thinks the team needs your help."

Fan Xi's words were very conservative.

When he's out, he usually pushes all the work onto Ku Pu Qie Ke.

Kevin Garnett beside him said: "Jie Ke, if I were a few years younger, I'd all want to go play ball with you in Los Angeles. It's more livable there, and playing with you comes with no psychological baggage."

Fan Xi laughed and patted his shoulder.

The grand parade lasted over five hours.

James Dolan is indeed willing to spend the money.

In his own words, this year's championship means a lot to him—glory to his ancestors; even if he died, he could stand before his father and boast.

This guy has also always wanted to prove he's not a reckless rich second-generation wastrel.

But we have to admit that his reckless gamble on Fan Xi's operations last summer had a hint of willfulness. Yet he won the bet.

After Fan Xi's championship parade ended, he and James Dolan sat in a luxurious RV. Fan Xi told him two sincere words: "James, as a friend, I have some things I want to say to you."

"Now the Knicks have won the championship. Going forward, club operations can be more stable. The Knicks are a super team with extremely strong profitability. As long as we maintain the competitiveness of a playoff team and stay center stage, we can continuously generate cash flow."

"After I return to Los Angeles, the team will still have playoff-level capability. You can appropriately make small trades, using the draft to replenish the roster. At least we can maintain playoff level for a long time. Who knows, after many years I might return to New York again."

Fan Xi said: "I'm actually going to leave Los Angeles for one season in two years."

Everything Fan Xi said was sincere, spoken sincerely for James Dolan's benefit.

At this moment, James Dolan also placed his hand on Fan Xi's knee. He said: "Jie Ke, I know what you're thinking. But I also have my own ideas."

"I want to tank next season. I want to trade draft picks with you for a superstar."

James Dolan bluntly said: "I can make the same trade that Jordan made with you. You trade Jimmy Butler to them, where he becomes a superstar core earning supermax. I can also give Leonard or Giannis a supermax, Jie Ke, we are brothers!"

James Dolan looked at Fan Xi eagerly.

Fan Xi didn't expect that this guy actually had such a 'good calculation' in his mind.

He was stunned for a while, then he clapped his hands, laughing and said: "From now on, whoever says you're an uneducated wastrel, I'll argue with them. You're too much of a manager, James, you've made me look at you anew."

"Hahaha." Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan laughed happily, he said: "I became smarter after being with you."

Fan Xi didn't know what to say. He just said: I can't guarantee that I will definitely trade Lun Nada or Yang Ni Si to you. Business matters are hard to predict. Moreover, many unexpected factors often occur.

"Having this remark from you is enough, Jie Ke. In two years, I'll still be making crazy bets, I want to monopolize your Eastern usage rights." Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan said.

Fan Xi smiled and nodded: "That couldn't be better; compared to going to other Eastern teams, I'd rather make a trip to New York every two years."

Their conversation was frank and deep.

…

Fan Xi did not return to Los Angeles after the championship parade celebration, but stayed in New York City. On one hand to accompany his son, on the other hand to prepare for the upcoming draft.

Through the accumulation of past years, Kuaisuan has five draft picks this year.

They are the first round 8th, 17th, and 22nd picks, plus the second round 42nd and 51st picks.

The two second-round picks are basically wasted, because most players landing at that slot struggle to get a regular contract.

This year's draft buzz is very high; the 2014 class is highly anticipated by the media.

Some even shouted, if 96 was the golden generation, 03 was the Super Platinum Generation, then 14 should be the diamond generation.

The media's release of such words is not baseless.

On one hand, the draft follows a cycle; after experiencing the small draft years of 11, 12, and 13, 2014 should also see a big year.

Moreover, this year's prospective rookies are coming in strong, with extraordinary talent.

This year's top prospect Wiggins is called the combination of James and Durant; this guy's physical talent is praised as the strongest small forward since James, and he also has excellent shooting… he's almost all-around.

Everyone thinks the team that gets the number one pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers, is lucky.

Although they lost James in 2010, in recent years they have reaped big gains at the draft.

Besides Wiggins, there are also Jabari Parker, Embiid, Randle, Exum, these highly talented players.

Fan Xi has been carefully studying video footage these past few days.

He must achieve something at this year's draft.

At the same time, after various discussions with management, Ku Pu Qie Ke made up his mind. He decided to send DeAndre Jordan away on draft night.

He hopes to exchange for a top-five pick… this year's draft pick value is somewhat inflated.

Media hype is an important aspect.

Due to Fan Xi's dominance in basketball circles, many media outlets have begun to pin their hopes on those newcomers who haven't joined the NBA, hoping a chosen one will emerge to take down Fan Xi.

Those highly expected include Wiggins and Embiid, etc.

Wiggins is actually a humble person; he has never shown any disrespect toward Fan Xi. He even said he is a Fan Xi fan and loves watching Fan Xi's games.

And after his Twitter account was discovered, it also proved he is consistent in word and deed.

As early as 2011, he was already shouting on Twitter for Fan Xi; after Fan Xi's buzzer-beater in the finals, he called Fan Xi a god. And in 2012, after Fan Xi again eliminated James and then defeated the Dream Team at the Olympics, he once again wildly praised Fan Xi, believing Fan Xi is greater than the sum of James plus Wei De plus Ke Bi plus Bao Luo plus Du Lan Te…

After these remarks surfaced, Wiggins' image as a Fan Xi fanboy was established.

Compared to Wiggins, another hot rookie Embiid is the complete opposite.

He has little respect for Fan Xi; he also expressed a famous view at the Orlando training camp: "It's time for the decision-making power of the game to return to the center's hands. Jieke Fan seized this period of center vacuum; he's a lucky guy. But he will soon hand over the scepter."

The saying that Fan Xi is a lucky guy is indeed refreshing.

And on this hot rookie's Twitter, one often sees his unconventional remarks.

For the past four years, he has consistently reposted Fan Xi's news and left comments.

In the news below about Fan Xi and Siweifute kissing on the sidelines, he left a comment: Oh! No! The person who should kiss Siweifute is me, I am the true Son of Heaven.

When the gossip news about Fan Xi and Si Jia Li dating on Miami Beach was wildly re-posted, he also left a comment while re-posting: 'Why won't Si Jia Li wait for me? I am the man worthy of her love.'

'If Megan Fox is definitely dating Jieke Fan, I will no longer like her at all.'

'I would rather accept Selena liking Justin Bieber than accept her being completely obedient to Jieke Fan.'

'If I were an NBA player now, the first thing I would do is steal all of Jieke Fan's girlfriends!'

'Any girlfriend of Jieke Fan is my lover.'

'... I love Jenna!'

'...'

After Embiid's Twitter was dug up, people felt especially bizarre. This guy is simply an online pretentious person; although not as shocking as Durant drinking bath water, he can still be considered a refreshing stream in the lewd category.

Fan Xi certainly won't pay attention to these little guys' trash talk.

He is very busy.

He needs to focus on trade issues and also pay attention to which rookie to pick this year.

If we trade Little Jordan, then only the Huaiti Seda and Mili Xiqi Kuaisuan need to add one or two interior players.

Fan Xi has some key targets of attention.

As a team that strictly executes having Fan Xi this superstar as the core, with top-potential rookies and veteran minimum contracts as support, the draft is the key work each year.

Fan Xi must carry out his precise draft vision to the end.

This matter could relate to the Clippers' future strength and weakness, as well as... how much profit each year.

Fan Xi is not like other team owners who spend big money to do big things; what Fan Xi now pursues is spending small money to do big things.

In fact, what other team owners in the league envy most is Fan Xi.

Fan Xi basically doesn't need to pay for any trash contract money; he himself is a max contract. Most others are rookie contracts, plus some minimum-salary veterans hoping to win a championship, and also two or three mid-level contracts.

What a healthy salary configuration!