Kings of the Game: Getting Back to the Game, Beginning with the NBA

Chapter 66 Refuse the maximum salary and sign with the Lakers

The next day, when Liu Ming arrived in LA, the top executives of the Lakers team gathered together and held a symposium under the leadership of Pelinka, the general manager of the team.

——About the replacement and reinforcement of the team lineup.

"The board of directors basically agrees with Vogel's opinion. In the future, we will make big moves on the team lineup and make a big change to the existing lineup."

Pelinka looked at the document in his hand and said, "Theoretically, except for James, AD and Dongguo Liu Ming, everyone else can be swapped out."

"In principle, each position of the new lineup must have at least two strong players, and all 14 players are guaranteed to be in the rotation!"

"In addition, the team will complete the contract with short-term contract player Liu Ming in the near future, and he will be the absolute starting force in the new lineup."

As he said that, he raised his head, looked at Vogel, and said, "Next, you will talk about the reinforcement plan for other positions."

At the conference table, Vogel cleared his throat, just about to start talking.

Suddenly, a mobile phone rang in the meeting room.

The rest of the senior executives were nervous for a while, and quickly lowered their heads to look at their mobile phones.

"Ah, I'm sorry, it's mine..." After a while, Pelinka said with a sneer, "You guys talk first, I'll go out and answer the phone."

After finishing speaking, he walked out of the meeting room with his mobile phone in hand.

"Hello, Nico?" After going out, Pelinka asked suspiciously, "What's the matter?"

Known as "Nico" is the veteran Nike executive Nico Harrison, who is said to have won the appreciation of Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and is expected to serve as the general manager of the Mavericks and take charge of the basketball operations department.

Pelinka has had a good relationship with him over the years and is a very good friend.

Now the two are about to mix in the same circle, so they usually have a closer relationship.

On the other end of the phone, Harrison said with a smile in a drake voice: "Can't I see you if I have nothing to do? We haven't been together for a long time. I'll invite you out for a drink someday."

Pelinka curled her lips and said, "I have something to say, I'm in a meeting!"

"Hey, it's not a big deal," Harrison said on the other end of the phone. "I just want to ask, is your contract with that Dongguo player really a partially guaranteed contract?"

Upon hearing this, Pelinka suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He was talking about Liu Ming?

Pelinka is not surprised that Harrison would know about this. After all, the circle is so big, and there are basically no secrets between the teams.

But the question is, why did Harrison mention this?
Could it be that……

"Oh, it seems that the rumors are true?" Harrison asked on the other end of the phone.

When Pelinka heard this, he frowned immediately, and said, "What do you mean? Why are you asking this? Does Liu Ming have anything to do with you?"

"There is no intersection now, but there will be in the future. You know, I'm already in contact with the Lone Ranger." Harrison said with a smile, "Sorry, I'll come over to say hello to you first."

"Liu Ming, a player who is a lone ranger, has fallen in love. The boss means that no matter the cost, he is determined to win."

As he spoke, Harrison smiled and said, "With our friendship, I don't need to go around in circles with you. I'll just make it clear: the limit for the Lone Ranger is that he can promise to sign a maximum salary with him after two years."

"So you Lakers must not be able to compete."

While speaking, Harrison gradually restrained the smile in his tone, and said: "To be honest, with James and AD here, the Lakers' strengthening the perimeter is just icing on the cake."

"But the Lone Ranger is different. Because Doncic is too easy to be targeted, and the current outside line can only open three-pointers, they are too short of top shooters."

"This can be regarded as a meeting ceremony for me to go to the Lone Ranger."

Harrison said sincerely: "Robert, since Kobe passed away unexpectedly, I value my friendship with you, so I specifically told you in advance."

"Let's discuss it in private before proceeding. Don't make it unpleasant because of this trivial matter."

"Give me Liu Ming this time, and I will repay you when I have a chance in the future."

Pelinka held his phone, silent.

"It's all about this..."

After a long time, Pelinka smiled helplessly and said, "What else can I say?"

"The Lone Ranger even promised to sign a maximum salary with him, how can I deliberately trip you up?"

As he spoke, he sighed helplessly, and said, "All right, I understand what you guys mean."

"Well, I'll buy you a drink when I'm free."

"..."

A moment later, Pelinka hung up the phone.

The original good mood disappeared immediately.

Why is this happening?
It was me first, obviously it was me first...

It's so fucking frustrating...

Pelinka couldn't resist pushing open the window, frowning, and lighting a cigar.

After a while, seeing that he hadn't come back, Vogel couldn't help getting up and looking for him himself.

Walking around outside the meeting room, I saw Pelinka in the hallway filled with smoke, and shouted: "General manager, we are still waiting for your meeting here!"

Pelinka shook his head and said, "This meeting can't be held today."

Originally, this meeting was held to discuss Liu Ming's signing.

Now that he's not coming, what's the point of discussing it!

"Ah?" Vogel asked suspiciously, "Why don't you open it? Liu Ming is urging me."

"The agreement we gave last time, they proposed some amendments. If you don't speak, how can I reply to them?"

Upon hearing this, Pelinka couldn't help but froze.

"Did Liu Ming reply?" He turned his head, looked at Vogel in confusion, and said, "When did I reply, why don't I know?"

Vogel looked at the time on the phone and said, "It was about 5 minutes ago. His manager, Ms. Xu, just called."

Hearing this, Pelinka couldn't help stretching his head to look at Vogel's cell phone.

Sure enough, Xu Si's phone number was displayed on the most recent call log.

what happened?

The Lone Ranger hasn't contacted them yet?

Thinking of this, Pelinka couldn't help scratching his heart.

He simply used Vogel's mobile phone to call Xu Si back. After the call was connected, he said, "Ms. Xu, this is Pelinka."

Xu Si on the other end of the phone heard his voice and asked in confusion, "General Manager Pelinka? Why did you call from Coach Vogel's phone?"

"Let me ask you..." Pelinka hesitated, but decided to tell the truth, and said, "Did the Lone Ranger contact you?"

"You are really well informed," Xu Si smiled on the other end of the phone, "Yes, Lone Ranger just contacted me, and several other companies contacted me yesterday."

"However," as he spoke, Xu Si changed his tone and said, "My family Liu Ming said that he has already agreed to you before, so other teams will not consider it."

When Pelinka heard this, he was surprised at first.

Immediately, a great sense of happiness welled up in my heart!
Pelinka raised his chin proudly, only to feel that the scene in front of him suddenly became brighter.

——Well, I really did not misunderstand the person!

After a brief chat, the two hung up the phone.

Pelinka took the original contract terms off the table.

He thought for a while, and said to Vogel: "I won't sign this contract for the time being. I'll ask the legal officer to draw up a new one later, and raise the salary again."

(End of this chapter)