Not long after the Finals, the NBA free market also opened.
Players under contract cannot be traded before the draft at the end of this month, but teams do have the option to lay off players or sign free agents.
One look at this year's free agent market, wow, there are quite a few big fish.
At home in Portland, Wang Zelin called all the Trail Blazers players to a gathering at his home. As the team leader, he not only has to lead the team on the court, but also learns to connect with his teammates off the court, both inside and out.
Only through some external operations can the cohesion of a team be maximized.
Wang Zelin was partying with his teammates here, and the lights were brightly lit in the Trail Blazers team headquarters and the team owner's office.
It's one o'clock in the morning, and three days have passed since the finals. The celebration banquet, media day, championship parade, etc. are all over. The Trail Blazers' 13-14 season has also officially come to an end.
However, even though this past season has just ended, they have just settled the media, bonuses for team employees and other matters, and they have to work non-stop for the new season. The management and coaching staff have gathered in the boss's office.
The first thing to discuss is the 2014 draft.
Of course, the draft is just the most inconspicuous task of the Trail Blazers management and coaching staff before the new season.
Speaking of which, before Wang Zelin and Lillard were selected by the Trail Blazers, the Trail Blazers management had made several transactions, which resulted in them not having any draft picks in the 2014 draft.
However, through a previous transaction with the Mosaics, they traded for Patrick Beverley and a second-round pick.
In the lottery on May 20, the Mosaic team management won the 42nd pick, the 12th overall pick in the second round.
Compared with the dismal 2013 draft, the 2014 draft can be said to have attracted much attention.
In fact, since 2003, very few drafts can be called a "draft" before it begins. Excluding the perspective of Wang Zelin, a latecomer, from the perspective of today's people, there have been many drafts before the draft.
People compare him with the golden generation of 1996 and the platinum generation of 2003, and these two years are known to be the golden years of the draft. Superstars who appeared successively include Iverson, Kobe, Nash, James, Wade and others. These guys have influenced
More than one generation of fans.
Therefore, one can imagine people's expectations for the 2014 draft.
Take the talented monsters who are the most popular candidates in the second place. Andrew Wiggins, who is only 19 years old from the University of Kansas, is known as a combination of James and Durant...
Another popular fake Barry, Parker is even younger than Wiggins, not as talented as Wiggins, but he is still the strongest high school student in the United States after James...
And the last one is Joel Embiid, who is said to have just learned basketball for less than 5 years and is modeled after the two legendary centers Olajuwon and Russell.
In addition to the above three talented young people, there are also the explosive Aaron Gordon, the Australian genius Exum, "Flying Laimbeer" Julius Randle, Smart, and Xiao Pei
Dayton, Zach Lavin et al.
At least, judging from the talents displayed by the current 14th generation, they do have the potential to impact the 96th generation and the 03th generation.
Back to topic.
Why is it that the Blazers management doesn't take it to heart even though it's a big year for the draft.
the reason is simple.
Because they are the championship!
Moreover, their team structure is young enough, and the oldest of the five tiger players is not yet 30. They can completely rely on this lineup to maintain strong competitiveness for 3 to 5 years without being disturbed by injuries.
What's more, they only have one second-round pick in hand. Compared with the draft, the more important task of the Trail Blazers management is actually the contract renewal of the main players.
Among the five main players, Wang Zelin and Lillard are in their rookie contracts. If it is a contract year, based on their performance this year, without two maximum-salary contracts, it will be difficult to prove the Trail Blazers to the outside world.
Sincerity.
Fortunately, the team can still enjoy the rookie bonuses of Wang Zelin and Lillard for two more years.
The most important thing at the moment is Aldridge's contract extension.
Aldridge signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the Trail Blazers in October 2009. In other words, the following 2014-2015 season will be his contract year.
As one of Portland's Big Three, his low-post singles and precise mid-range shooting, together with Wang Zelin, have created an offensive and defensive interior barrier for the team.
It can be said that the reason why the Trail Blazers were invincible in this year's playoffs and defeated all their opponents in the playoffs with a near-complete victory is that Aldridge is definitely the most important contributor to the team after Wang Zelin. His important
Sex is even bigger than Billard's.
It is precisely because of his containment on the offensive end that other teams dare not double-team Wang Zelin in the interior.
Therefore, as one of the core players designated by team owner Paul Allen, Aldridge, Wang Zelin, and Lillard are the core framework of the Trail Blazers. The entire team must be built around them to have an impact.
Hopes of a championship.
"Everyone should share your opinion. Who are we planning to select this year? After discussing the draft candidates, we will discuss LaMarcus' contract extension salary," Nel Orsi said.
After winning the championship and holding the championship parade, Nel Orsi and offensive assistant David Vanderpool went to New York to watch the joint workout held by the Knicks. The media and the management of each team expressed their opinions on the players participating this year.
Talent and ability are both extremely promising.
There are three players in the T1 level, and there are a lot of players in the T2 level...
Thinking of the group of young people with blind talent during the joint trial, and thinking that his team currently holds a mere second-round pick with the 12th overall pick, Nel Olsi suddenly felt a pain in his heart.
Fortunately, when he thought that Wang Zelin, who had just completed a single-season honors Grand Slam, was still so young, his mood instantly became less satisfying.
what?
No matter how talented you are, can you still be stronger? Are you the king who has already fulfilled your talents?
Coach Terry and David Vanderpool looked at each other. David Vanderpool saw the look in Coach Terry's eyes and said, "How about we trade?"
"Before the draw, we could exchange for some good chips. Now even we don't know who to choose. Other teams must have guessed what we are thinking. Now I probably won't be able to exchange for any chips."
Nel Orsi is also a veteran, yes, this is obvious.
Seeing that everyone was still struggling to come up with an accurate answer, Paul Allen, who had finished smoking his second cigar, suddenly stuck his head out and suggested:
"How about we ask the king for his opinion? What do you think?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Everyone else in the office was speechless... After all, this is something that the management should think about, how could it be related to the players...
Oh wait, it doesn’t seem impossible.
Nel Orsi's eyes suddenly lit up: "Paul's suggestion is good. We can just use this matter to explore Wang's tone on the team's development. After all, he is the real future of the team!"
There seems to be nothing wrong with this statement.
then……
The next day.
"What, let me decide this year's draft?"
When Wang Zelin received the call on the court, he was in a Spartan mood.