It was only August 25th when he returned to Orlando. After returning to Orlando, Adri devoted himself physically and mentally to training, turning all the rejection and isolation he encountered in the dream team into motivation for hard training.
.The rejection he encountered in the dream team made Adrian even more eager for honor, an honor that no one can despise.
However, a phone call disrupted Adrian's training plan, but it was a phone call that Adrian had to answer.
"Hey Ed, how's training going?".
"Well, everything is going well for me, Mr. Otis." The caller was Otis Smith, the general manager of the Magic. After a few pleasantries with Adrian, Otis Smith said simply
Expressing his purpose: "Actually, we have encountered a little trouble in our operations in the free market."
Michael Pietrus, one of the members of the 2003 Platinum Generation, was born in Lesa Bime on February 7, 1982. He has shown extraordinary athletic talent since he was a child, especially basketball talent, dunks, mid-range shots, and three-pointers.
Dribbling past others is a piece of cake for him.
In the 2003 summer draft, Michael Pietrus, who was playing for the French Baoufs team, was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the eleventh pick in the first round and signed a four-year contract with the Golden State Warriors.
2016 rookie contract, with a team option in the final year. In the first three seasons with the Warriors, Michael Pietrus has shown a steady trend of improvement, with considerable improvements in playing time and game efficiency. But in
In his fourth season, due to the presence of Stephen Jackson and the growth of Monta Ellis, Michael Pietrus' playing time suddenly went from 72 appearances to 38 starts in the 2006-07 season.
The average playing time per game dropped from 269 minutes to 66 appearances and 10 starts in the 2007-08 season, averaging 199 minutes per game. His average game data also dropped from 111 points and 45 rebounds to 79 points and 35 rebounds in the 2007-08 season.
.
Now that the rookie contract is over, although the Golden State Warriors hold team options, they have no intention of keeping Michael Pietrus, and even intend to give up Michael Pietrus to clear the team's salary space.
For the Golden State Warriors, after having Jackson and Ellis, Pietrus' presence becomes optional and not a must-keep member. But for the Magic, Pietrus can become a
Very important addition.
Last season, the position of the Pistons' perimeter defensive terminator was always played by Adrian. If it was an ordinary opponent, there would certainly be no problem. But when the Orlando Magic faced the Celtics, Adrian
Derian, the first core of the Magic, must take on the heavy responsibility of guarding Paul Pierce, which is very problematic.[
Offense, defense, Adrian puts more focus on defense, and he will naturally run into a series of difficulties in the operation of offense. Maurice Evans and Keith Bogans, although they still have certain abilities,
.but not enough to defend super scorers like Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony.
Therefore, before the end of the season, the Magic management reached a consensus that in the new season, they should find a strong outside defender partner for Adrian to serve as a small forward or shooting guard to reduce and share Adrian's burden.
With pressure on both offense and defense, Michael Pietrus is undoubtedly a very suitable candidate.
Offensively, Michael Pietrus' offensive power with the ball is not too strong. He is strong, can fly and jump, and is better at cutting the ball and catching and shooting from outside. This kind of independent offensive ability is weak.
The player is exactly what the Magic needs. Under the premise of having Adrian, a super point guard, the Orlando Magic does not need other players to have too strong offensive ability with the ball, because they are unlikely to get too much
opportunities to attack with the ball.
On defense, what Michael Pietrus is well-known for in the Golden State Warriors is his tough defensive ability. His strong upper body strength and good follow-up speed give him the capital to become an excellent defender.
Coupled with his strong defensive enthusiasm, although this often puts him in situations where reckless defense leads to too many fouls, this is not a very serious problem in the eyes of the Magic. Even if Pietrus often defends recklessly,
, isn’t there Adrian who checks and fills in the gaps? Even if there are too many fouls, Keith Bogans sitting on the bench can take over in time.
Moreover, the price of signing Michael Pietrus is not too expensive. It can be paid for about 25 million in four years. This is just over the salary cap and still far away from the luxury tax incentive line.
.
Therefore, after the free market opened in the summer, Michael Pietrus became the main target of the Orlando Magic.
Everything originally went smoothly.
Indeed, as the Magic management thought, when the Magic offered a four-year, $23 million contract, the Warriors did not choose to follow up, but simply gave up. Originally, the Magic and Pietru
The contract between Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka should be smooth sailing.
The Orlando Magic wants to acquire Michael Pietrus, and the Golden State Warriors intend to follow suit and give Pietrus a mid-level contract. Pietrus himself is also very interested in joining the Magic. Everything should be logical and easy.
loose.
But the Los Angeles Lakers decided to intervene.
Following the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers also made an offer for Michael Pietrus. After announcing the contract extension with Dwight Howard, the Los Angeles Lakers' salary has exceeded this season's luxury tax incentive line and has reached 80 million.
, exceeding this season’s luxury tax incentive line of US$71.15 million and approaching nine million. However, the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been rich for many years, obviously do not care about such a small amount of luxury tax. Under such circumstances, they still made an offer for Michael Pietrus and quoted
signed a three-year, $18 million contract.
Hearing the name of the Los Angeles Lakers from Otis' mouth, Adrian couldn't help but twitch his lips.
It seems that Buss Jr. is not that stupid. After experiencing the Finals, he clearly saw the biggest disadvantage the Los Angeles Lakers faced when facing the Celtics. The forward position, especially the defense at the small forward position, is simply terrible.
It's just like paper. In the original history, the Los Angeles Lakers' defense at the small forward position at least had Ariza to help. But now, they only have Luke Walton available.
You are eager to enhance your defensive capabilities at the small forward position, and you also want to disgust the Magic, a strong competitor of the Los Angeles Lakers, so you adopted the plan to offer Michael Pietrus?
Thinking of this, Adrian's ridicule towards Bass grew more intense. However, he couldn't help but frown.[
This contract has been delayed for too long, and such a long delay is likely to have an impact on the Orlando Magic's team building for the new season. After all, by this time, those valuable and capable free agents have basically been found.
A suitable next player, if the Orlando Magic fails in Pietrus, then...the defensive reinforcement of the forward and defensive line will come to a standstill.
"I understand. Mr. Otis, do you want me to talk to Michael?".
"Yes Ed, this is my idea." Otis said over the phone: "Currently I can feel that Michael is hesitant, and his agent seems to be vacillating and trying to have both sides. I hope you can persuade him.
Advise him and let him know that we attach great importance to him."
"Well, I understand, I will try my best to do it." Adrian nodded and said, "Give me Michael's number and I will give him a call."
Adrian immediately called Pietrus.
"Hi Michael. I'm Adrian."
When Adrian called, Pietrus had already returned to France for vacation. He received a long-distance call from Adrian. Pietrus was still very surprised. He did not expect that as the boss of the Magic team, Adrian would
Put yourself down and call yourself.
This moved Pietrus quite a bit, and he felt that the Magic really valued him.
In fact, Pietrus is also very hesitant at the moment. He knows that it is impossible to get a big contract at his own level. Being able to get a full mid-level contract is already a very good result. Currently, there is no one in the league who wants to get a big contract.
Our own teams, the Magic and Lakers, are the most sincere and have offered four-year, $23 million and three-year, $18 million contracts respectively. Both of these contracts are full-income, with amounts above
It’s almost the same. As for the strength of the team, Los Angeles reached the finals and lost to the Celtics, while the Magic also reached the Eastern Conference Finals, but also lost to the strength of the Celtics, Magic and Lakers.
The difference doesn't seem to be too big.
Los Angeles has great appeal, but Howard's experience in Los Angeles has made Pietrus a little worried. He also understands that Los Angeles is definitely not a paradise for stars. And more importantly, Los Angeles has been discussing with his agent.
They negotiated, but did not show that they took him seriously. Now that Adrian called, it made Pietrus feel that the Magic team was more sincere.
After Adrian expressed his thoughts, Pietrus quickly expressed his willingness to sign with the Magic.
Adrian did not expect that things would go so smoothly, but smoothness was a good thing after all. After getting Pietrus's consent, Adrian told Otis the news.
On September 3, the Magic officially announced on their official website that they had reached a contract with former Warriors shooting guard Michael Pietrus. The contract amount is 24.8 million over four years. The Magic held a special meeting for Pietrus.
At the press conference, Pietrus wore the Magic's No. 20 jersey with a smile on his face and allowed reporters to take photos.
"Mr. Michael, Los Angeles has also expressed its interest to you, and as far as I know, the contract offered by the Los Angeles Lakers is not higher than that of the Magic. Why did you choose the Magic in the end?"
"It's very simple. I think the Magic pay more attention to me and are more suitable for me." Pietrus had already thought of the answers to these questions, so after the reporter asked them, he answered without thinking: "I think I will have the opportunity to join the Magic."
Higher achievements and better performance. The Magic have one of the best point guards in the league, and this is a dynamic team. I like it here and I am willing to play for the Magic."
After Pietrus officially announced that he was joining the Magic, the Orlando Magic's lineup for the new season was basically determined.
Kevin Love, number 42, position: (power forward center)
Kwame Brown, number (22) position: (power forward center)
Marcin Gortat, number (4) position: (center)
Paul Millsap, number (24) position: (power forward)
Marc Gasol, number (5) position (center)
The above five people constitute the Magic's inside lineup in the new season. As of this season, the Magic have not renewed Lance Allred's contract. His strength is still not enough to play NBA, and he has lost 75% of his hearing.
There are even natural barriers to the overall coordination of the team. In addition, the Magic are no longer lacking tall insiders like they were last year. With Marc Gasol and Kevin Love, the Magic no longer need
The necessity of keeping him.
On the outside, the Magic have seven fixed players.
Keith Bogans, number: (No. 10) position: (shooting guard)
Maurice Evans Number: (No. 6) Position: (Shooting Guard)
Van Weaver, number (24) position: (shooting guard)
Rashad Lewis, number: (9) position: (small forward power forward)
Michael Pietrus Number: (No. 20) Position: (Small Forward Shooting Guard)
Carlos Arroyo, number: (No. 30) position: (point guard)
Adrian Kewert Number: (No. 1) Position: (Point Guard)
Five insiders and seven outsiders make up the Magic's lineup for the new season. In addition, in the free market, the Magic gave Shaun Livingston a two-year contract after consideration.
contract, although after breaking his leg, whether Livingston can return to the game is still a question, but in the training camp held by the Magic, Livingston performed pretty well, although the Magic cannot be completely reassured.
, but the Magic are also eager to find a suitable substitute for Adrian. Although Carlos Arroyo was finally retained by the Magic and signed a two-year basic salary contract, his strength is not enough to shoulder the responsibility of a team.
The task of being the main substitute for a championship team.
After signing Shaun Livingston, the Magic's roster has reached fourteen. According to NBA rules, the Magic can sign another player before the start of the new season to complete the roster of fifteen.
, but the Orlando Magic, which has 14 people, no longer has much interest in the free market. (To be continued...)
