"King of Los Angeles?" Mitch Kupchak stared at Kobe for a long time and said in a calm voice: "Maybe, but..."
"Everyone will grow old one day, right? Even the king will do the same."
"Are you saying I'm old?" Kobe asked tit for tat.
"Maybe." Mitch Kupchak said: "You must have seen ESPN's ranking of you this season, right? No. 7. Mr. Bryant, you are no longer in the top three in the league."
"They're all bullshit rankings!" Kobe seemed to have read this report. He raised his eyebrows and said, "I will prove them wrong, don't worry."
"All.right." Mitch Kupchak said: "Of course I believe you are still one of the top three players in the league, so the current Lakers are still revolving around you. But... Michael Jordan will decline, and I
As the general manager of the Lakers, it is natural for me to help the team find a way out, and I think you can understand this."
"So the fallback path you're looking for is Andrew Bynum?" Kobe asked sarcastically.
"That's right." Mitch Kupchak said: "He was born in 1987, and you were born in 1978. The gap is close to 10 years, which is enough for the Lakers to transition smoothly."
"Are you so confident about his mind?" Kobe said.
"It doesn't matter." Mitch Kupchak said calmly: "He is still young and has a lot of time to learn and make corrections. Bryant, don't forget, the Lakers chose you because of
Are you younger than Shaq? I remember you are only 6 years younger than Shaq, right? 10 years old..." Mitch Kupchak said lightly: "That's enough to transition two generations in the league."
"It seems that you have already arranged for the future succession of the Lakers. No wonder you chose Bynum who was only 17 years old back then. No wonder you didn't agree to trade him for Jason Kidd back then. It turns out that this
Everything is really to make Andrew Bynum become the new Lord of Los Angeles." Although Kobe said this, his face was not surprised at all and said: "However, there is one thing I want to remind you."
"What?" Mitch Kupchak said.
"Unlike O'Neal, I can play at a high level for at least another 4 to 5 years. Once this happens, will Bynum, who is around 30 years old, become the new king of Los Angeles? I am very curious." Kobe said.
These words made Mitch Kupchak twitch the corner of his mouth and said: "Do you really think you can maintain a high level for 4 to 5 years? Don't forget that you entered the league at a younger age than Michael, and your body is worn out
The condition is also more serious than that of Michael at the same age, so... do you really think you can do it?"
Mitch Kupchak said: "The top ten in the league is the bottom line for me and the Lakers fans. Once you fall below this bottom line, then I'm sorry, I still say the same thing."
“Nothing in Los Angeles is not for sale.”
"Top ten in the league?" Kobe said with a smile: "Do you really think I can't do it? I can tell you responsibly that next year my ESPN ranking will only rise, not fall."
"Also, Kupchak can only represent yourself. When can you represent all Los Angeles fans?"
"After all these years, Bryant, you are still so arrogant." Mitch Kupchak was silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly.
"Arrogant? You know I'm a man of my word." Kobe said unwaveringly, as if he had long been accustomed to this kind of questioning.
"Okay, I agree to the Oriental's contract." I don't know how long the atmosphere in the office was tense. Finally, Mitch Kupchak was the first to speak, breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Yeah, this is a wise decision." Kobe said.
"But... I can't possibly give him a high salary." Mitch Kupchak said.
"Okay." Kobe said, "Just give him about one million."
"One million? Oh, no, no, no, Bryant, I think you misunderstood me." Mitch Kupchak's eyes flashed and he said: "I will only give him a basic salary."
"What?" Kobe frowned when he heard this and said, "You are not even willing to give one million? Are you only willing to give more than 700,000?"
"More than seven hundred thousand?" Mitch Kupchak smiled and said: "Bryant, you may have been in the league for too long, so you have forgotten some details."
"A basic salary of more than 700,000 yuan is only worthy of players with one year of NBA experience. Unfortunately, our Chinese friends don't have that, right?"
Kobe recalled it for a moment, his face turned ugly and he said: "You are only willing to give him more than 400,000 US dollars???"
"Yes, that's it." Mitch Kupchak nodded.
"Kupchak! Are you mistaken? The price you paid for Troy and Josh is much more than this! Do you think I'm here to beg for food???" Kobe became a little angry and said loudly.
However, Mitch Kupchak was not a "rookie" and was not moved at all: "Bryant, of course you are not a beggar, but our Lakers are not a humanitarian aid agency. If I can save a little, I will naturally save a little.
, I believe that even the old Bass will not have any objections in this regard."
"After all, who can't live with money?" Mitch Kupchak said, waving his hands.
"Kupchak, are you really unwilling to give me any face?" Kobe said with a downcast face.
"Ha, Bryant, look what you said, if I didn't give you face, how could I agree to sign him? The potential of Eastern players has never been great, hasn't it?" Mitch Kupchak said in a tone of voice
Although it is not tough, the meaning of the words is very obvious, Kobe Bryant, don't be shameless!
"Humph!" Kobe was furious for a moment, turned around and wanted to leave.
"Anyway, I have already taken a step back. As for whether to sign the rest or not, that is your business. I will give you 12 hours to think about it, and you will not wait until the expiration date." Mitch Kupchak looked at Kobe and slowly said
said.
With an expression of indifference, Kobe stepped out of the door of the general manager's office.
Just as he took half a step out, another voice came from behind: "Oh, by the way, Bryant, although I don't know why you did this, your agent is indeed great, Bob Pay.
I finally realized Linka’s ability again.”
After hearing this, Kobe paused slightly for half a second, but he quickly regained his composure and left here without looking back.
Shortly after Kobe left, Mitch Kupchak's female secretary walked in and said: "Mr. Kupchak, do you really think those things on the Internet were done by Kobe Bryant?"
Mitch Kupchak looked at Lauri Blank with a sullen face and said dryly: "How did I know?"
"Ah? Then you..." Laurie Blank asked in surprise.
"It's just a simple test." Mitch Kupchak said: "It's a pity that he was too calm and didn't test anything at all! It's really abominable!" With the last sentence, Mitch Kupchak was close to
Talking to himself.
…
Toyota Sports Center, Lakers training facility.
"What? That old guy Kupchak is only willing to give you more than 400,000 US dollars??? What does he think he is? A beggar???" The one who had the biggest reaction was undoubtedly Matt Barnes.
As soon as he heard the news, he immediately protested loudly.
"More than four hundred thousand dollars?" Pau Gasol couldn't help but said: "This is too low."
"It's just bullying!" Charity World Peace also joined in and said: "What can you do with more than 400,000 US dollars? Hot, don't think too much, just reject it!"
"Yes, it's hot. This kind of condition is really looking down on people! You'd better refuse it directly!" Matt Barnes said "full of righteous indignation".
"Reject? Why should I refuse?" Tang Qian was extremely abnormal and said: "Mr. Black Mamba, can you take me to see the team general manager? Just tell him that I agree to his contract."
"Do you agree? Hot??? Are you crazy? This kind of contract is simply an insult to you!!!" Matt Barnes was the first to jump out and object.
"Yes, Tong. Although I also want to be your teammate, this contract is too unfair to you... You'd better think more about it before making a decision." The Spaniard also opened his mouth to persuade.
"It doesn't matter." Tang Qian smiled and blurted out: "Bryant, can you do me this favor?"
"Okay, that's not a problem, but... have you really decided to sign the contract?" Kobe said: "This salary, to be honest, is really cheap."
"Well, I have decided that being able to stay with the Lakers is very much in line with my vision, so." Tang Qian said: "Please lead the way, Mr. Mamba."
Kobe was not the kind of person who liked to talk nonsense. Seeing that Tang Qian had made his own decision, he had no objection. He put on his warm uniform and said, "Follow me."
…
Before entering the door, Kobe checked again and said: "China perm, have you really decided?"
"Well, I've decided, Mr. Mamba." Tang Qian nodded.
"Okay, let's go in." Kobe opened the door and led Tang Qian into the Lakers general manager's office.
"Hi~ Hello, big man from China." Mitch Kupchak said with a professional smile on his face after seeing Kobe and Tang Qian.
"Hello, you are Mr. Mitch Kupchak, right? I've known you for a long time." Tang Qian also said politely.
"Then what's the purpose of your coming here..." Mitch Kupchak asked knowingly.
"Of course it's to renew the contract." Tang Qian replied.
"Okay, then you must also know my plan, right? If you are not satisfied with anything..." Before Mitch Kupchak finished speaking, Tang Qian said directly: "No, sir, I don't
What are you dissatisfied with?"
"Are you not dissatisfied?" This answer was beyond Mitch Kupchak's expectations. He looked at Tang Qian and said, "Are you serious?"
"Of course, sir, I don't have time to joke." Tang Qian said firmly.
"Okay, I just like players who are cheerful like you." Mitch Kupchak secretly rejoiced. Originally, when he said this price, there was room for improvement, but since the other party is willing to accept it, there is no objection.
Then he was happy to save money. Because he only spent more than 400,000 yuan to sign a player. No matter how you put it, there will be no pressure on him from above. After all, for the huge Bass family, 40
Multi-thousands of dollars is almost equivalent to drizzle. Even if it is down the drain, they don't care. They won't care at all.
"Then let's sign the contract now?" Mitch Kupchak suddenly became very enthusiastic as if he was afraid that Tang Qian would regret it.
"Oh, no, no, no, you don't have to be too anxious." Tang Qian said, "I can agree with your price plan, but I need to make some changes to some parts. What do you think?"
"Modify? Modify where?" Mitch Kupchak subconsciously became alert.
"It's very simple." Tang Qian smiled and said, "I need to add the motivation part."
PS: This is the second update today. Thank you God loves the world for your generous monthly votes. Thank you~~~