Bishop of the Abyss

Chapter 7 7. Focusing on Karl Malone
"You did a good job, Lu. The victory over the Lakers gave the team a good reputation. The outside world is praising the team. This is really a perfect start." In the office, General Manager McHale smiled. Said to Luke.

In the opening game against the Lakers, general manager McHale also watched the whole process, and for McHale, who was a player, he was very aware of the changes Luke brought to this team.

Especially on the offensive end, McHale couldn't believe his eyes.

"Don't worry, Kevin, this is just the beginning, and the team will definitely get better in the new season."

"However, I really need you to contact me. If this matter can be done, then the team's chances of winning this season will be greatly increased." Taking out a cigarette from his pocket, Luke subconsciously lit it , and then seemed to think of something again, and took one out of it and handed it to McHale.

"You're welcome, Lu, if it can help the team, then I'd like to hear your thoughts." McHale still smiled after taking the cigarette.

"I hope you can get in touch with Karl. I know that you have a good relationship in private. Even though Karl is 40 years old this year, you know his competitive status."

"And as far as I know Karl has no plans to retire at the moment, he has been waiting and watching, so I think you can throw an olive branch to Karl and listen to his opinion."

Without any sloppiness, Luke directly said what was in his mind, and the Carl mentioned by Luke was naturally Karl Malone.

Malone joined the Lakers with a basic salary as a free agent last season, and formed the famous Big Four lineup with Payton, Kobe and O'Neal.

For Karl Malone, he is willing to join the Lakers with a basic salary because he hopes that he can get a championship ring in the twilight of his career.

However, as the saying goes, things are unpredictable. Although the mighty Big Four stumbled into the finals, they were swept out by the Pistons with a big score of 4:1 in the finals.

This result also made the 39-year-old Karl Malone completely disheartened. He did not renew his contract with the Lakers during the offseason, and he also did not take the initiative to contact the championship team.

According to gossip, the Pistons management actively contacted Karl Malone during the offseason, hoping that Malone could join the Pistons with a basic salary, and then join forces to attack the championship again in the new season.

However, Karl Malone refused the invitation of the Pistons management without any hesitation, because even if Malone would rather have no championship in his career, he would not join a team that just defeated him last season.

At this point, Ma Long has always stuck to his bottom line, just like the title of Iron Man in his career, without any cowardice.

上个赛季，39岁的马龙场均仍然可以砍下13.2分8.8篮板3.9助攻以及1.1次抢断，并且投篮命中率保持在48.3%。

Looking at the data alone, it is hard to imagine that this is a 39-year-old inside veteran.

After all, the average life span of inside players is lower than that of outside players, so Karl Malone's competitive state is absolutely impeccable.

It's just that the "iron man" Karl Malone, who has maintained full attendance for ten seasons in his career, still encountered some injuries last season. The complications of knee injuries are also the fundamental reason why no team took the initiative to contact Malone during the offseason.

Because this kind of injury is completely incurable, it is the sequelae of Karl Malone's physical confrontation throughout his career.

And because of a knee injury, Malone missed most of the playoffs last season and the crucial G5 of the finals. This alone is enough to discourage many teams.

After all, signing a contract with Karl Malone also means that the team needs to bear the possibility that Karl Malone has an indefinite truce and has been recuperating with his salary.

In addition, Malone's career does not lack the basic salary of a veteran. For Karl Malone, the most important thing is to have a chance to win the championship.

And most championship teams are unwilling to waste a spot in vain, allowing Karl Malone to take his salary to recuperate.

So there has been no movement about Karl Malone during the offseason. I only heard that Malone has been with his daughter during the offseason.

Malone's daughter Cheryl Ford just entered the WNBA last year, and as a member of the Detroit Shock team, won the WNBA championship ring last year.

I just don't know if Karl Malone will feel sad at that moment when he sees that his daughters have championship rings.

"Carl?"

"It's true that Carl has no plans to retire, but his knees are already very fragile. I think you should understand what I mean."

"If you want to know more details, I will ask the team doctor to send you Carl's medical records. I believe you will give up this idea after reading it." McHale shook his head helplessly, thinking that Luke didn't know enough. .

"Actually I'm well aware of Karl's current physical condition, but if he is willing to join the team, then I will load manage him."

"I believe Karl will also be interested in joining the Timberwolves."

"I'm serious, Kevin, I think I need to emphasize again, I am very aware of Carl's current physical condition, but he can still help the team." Speaking of this, Luke paused a little. "And it's the kind that determines the team's ceiling."

Seeing Luke's serious face, which didn't look like he was joking at all, McHale squinted his eyes subconsciously, then slapped the table and immediately decided: "Okay, since you said so, then I will get in touch with Carl tomorrow. "

"I have some friendship with Karl in private. Tomorrow, I will go to Arkansas myself. I believe Karl will definitely hunt there."

"But let's say it in advance. All I can do is try my best to persuade Karl, but whether he is willing to join or not depends on him."

"So you have to be prepared to run in vain. After all, you know that Carl's career is close to perfection. Apart from the championship, there is nothing that can make him feel excited."

Ignoring the meaning of McHale's words, Luke just nodded slightly, "Okay, then I will leave this matter to you."

In fact, as early as the offseason, Luke had the idea of ​​​​wanting to recruit Karl Malone, but at that time the Timberwolves had not yet shown the style that could win the championship.

And he was just eliminated by Malone's Lakers in last year's playoffs, so if Malone is offered an olive branch during the offseason, Luke feels that Karl Malone will most likely refuse.

After all, even the Lakers failed to win the championship last season, and the Timberwolves, who lost to the Lakers, are even less likely to become Malone's next home.

However, today's Timberwolves are not what they used to be. As long as McHale can convey this wish to Karl Malone, then whether to impress Malone to join is the problem that Luke needs to solve.

　Today is the first time I have stuffed rice. You may not believe me when I say it. It is the first time for others to put too much water, and it becomes porridge.

　　But I’m fine, good guy, I put less water, and it’s not stuffy...

　　The middle is all raw, so desperate, I haven't eaten yet!
　　I moved today, cleaned up the house all afternoon, and will resume updating tomorrow.

　　The final contract is estimated to take a week to arrive, but editors may not be at work on weekends, so there is a high probability that the status of the contract will be changed on Monday afternoon.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)