Chapter 149 Preparing for the Inevitable Breakup

In fact, as early as before the draft, when discussing matters with Davis, Su Feng had already set his sights on Donnyell Marshall, who would become a free agent this summer.

In Su Feng's original timeline, before the "Skyfucker Party" emerged, Marshall, as a shooter with a soft touch, had dominated the NBA regular season single-game three-point record list with Kobe for many years. (12 in a single game)

Standing at 206cm tall, he could play both the 3 and 4 positions on the court, making him a versatile swingman.

Actually, in these past two years, as Su Feng's offensive prowess on the court has grown stronger and stronger...

He had gradually realized that players like Old Curry were more helpful to him on the court.

Therefore, compared to Boozer, who still needed leveling up, Su Feng felt that Marshall was more suitable for the current Raptors.

Because, as a spot-up shooter on the perimeter, he could create space for himself...

In addition, his ability to swing between the three and four positions would be far more beneficial to the Raptors' tactical arrangements than Boozer, who was still in the newbie village.

And considering Barkley would turn 40 next year...

At that time, apart from waving towels, handing out water bottles, and intimidating opponents off the court, he wouldn't be able to contribute anything else...

Marshall's arrival was even more crucial for Su Feng.

Because during this year's seven-game grueling battle against the Celtics, if the Raptors had Marshall as an inside gunner on the bench, Su Feng wouldn't have been in a one-on-n situation so often.

Since Big Ben was basically a liability on the offensive end except for pick-and-rolls, Su Feng knew that with his intention to leave the Raptors in the summer of '03...

Next season was absolutely crucial.

Therefore, from the very beginning, Su Feng had already planned how the Raptors should play if Carter and O'Neal were to underperform again next season.

...

After the draft, on July 1st.

Marshall, who was originally at home and out of work, almost thought he was hallucinating when he received a call from Su Feng himself.

You must know...

This was the current number one player in the NBA!

In '02, the internet wasn't as developed as it would be in the future, and social networks weren't as convenient. Therefore, most players relied on phone calls and text messages to contact each other privately.

In Marshall's opinion, shouldn't a big shot like Su Feng be busy attending various commercial activities at this time?

However, when Marshall heard on the phone that Su Feng really wanted to play with him...

Marshall felt that this Su Feng who was talking to him on the phone must be a fake.

Because even if he thought about it with his toes, Marshall knew that he was nowhere near the point where Su Feng would personally call him to invite him.

And after Su Feng directly stated his intentions, what surprised Marshall the most...

Was probably the fact that Su Feng had installed "surveillance" in his house.

"Su, how did you know that I was planning to work hard on my three-point shot this summer?" Marshall asked in surprise on the phone.

In Su Feng's previous life, influenced by the overall style of the 90s, Marshall wasn't famous for his three-point shooting in the early stages of his career.

In fact, it wasn't until the '03/'04 season, after joining the original Raptors, that Marshall gradually realized that he was actually a sharpshooter because the NBA had eliminated the illegal defense rule and introduced zone defense, which meant that perimeter players had to be able to shoot threes!

And in this life, after the NBA eliminated the illegal defense rule in advance, Su Feng believed that a player like Marshall, who was good at planning for himself, would definitely work hard on his three-point shot this summer in order to get a better contract.

Because compared to the era when future role players could easily get multi-million dollar contracts, the NBA at this time...

If you wanted a decent mid-level contract, you had to show that you were different from others on the court.

"Okay, I see... But Su, I still don't understand why you know so much about me?" Marshall continued to ask suspiciously on the phone after hearing Su Feng's explanation.

And hearing this...

Su Feng couldn't help but laugh.

Because, as a "Human LeBron James Encyclopedia," how could Su Feng forget Marshall, the key player who helped His Majesty reach the Finals for the first time?

Of course, Su Feng couldn't explain it this way to Marshall.

Because if he did, Marshall would only think he was crazy.

"Buddy, I not only know every player in this league very well, but I also know their playing habits very well," Su Feng said to Marshall on the phone.

And now...

Marshall finally understood why the media often praised Su Feng for always making the right decisions on the court.

So...

This was the hard work that the number one player in the NBA put in off the court?

That day, thinking about Su Feng in Toronto, who, in addition to hard training, would also take the initiative to study every opponent, Marshall felt that Su Feng was really too abnormal.

As everyone knows, geniuses are never the scariest thing in this league.

Because...

Hardworking geniuses are never lacking in this cruel league.

And a genius like Su Feng, who had both high EQ and IQ and was also hardworking...

In Marshall's eyes, was truly terrifying.

"Okay, Su, to be honest, just like ESPN said, I don't think any player would refuse your invitation...

Because being able to work with a great player like you in my lifetime is the most honored thing in my life," Marshall said to Su Feng at the end of the phone call.

And after Su Feng helped the Raptors' management solve Marshall's position issue, the negotiations between Raptors general manager Grunwald and Marshall's agent were much simpler.

This summer, without having to save money for Chad, Grunwald also experienced the happiness of being rich.

In the end, Grunwald only took a few minutes to finalize a one-year contract worth $4.6 million with Marshall's agent on the phone.

Because Carter's renewal contract would be included in the Raptors' salary cap starting this summer, Grunwald used the Raptors' mid-level exception when signing Marshall this time.

However, after enjoying the thrill of being rich, Grunwald still rationally called Raptors owner Chad.

Because even though the Raptors could still enjoy the benefits of signing Big Ben and renewing Nash's contract for a smaller amount in the '02/'03 season...

But...

Looking at the Raptors' salary, which suddenly exceeded the luxury tax line by a large margin...

For Grunwald, who had been used to being poor, he was really a little bit unaccustomed to it.

Oh my god!

Look at this salary table that was about to reach $70 million!

If you covered up the team name of the Toronto Raptors, you would even think that this was a salary bill that the Trail Blazers and Lakers could hand over.

"Grun... I've also made a lot of money in the past few years because the Raptors won the championship, so spend what you need to spend!

Anyway, next season, we must find a way to win another championship before Su leaves." And on the phone, after confirming Chad's attitude again, Grunwald no longer hesitated.

Because as the behind-the-scenes housekeeper of this Raptors team, even though he had been living under the control of Su Feng and Davis in the past few years...

To use the evaluation of the Ming Dynasty by P Society players in Europa Universalis, it would be...

In the past few years, being Su Feng's dog has been too happy.

Why do you have to stand when you can lie down and win?

As a life winner who has won the NBA Best General Manager twice in the past four years, what Grunwald is worried about now is how the Raptors should be reorganized after the end of next season.

Because in the past two years, with the continuous rise of the NBA salary cap, the kind of thing that could only cost 5 million a year to get players like Nash and Big Ben...

In Grunwald's view, it will probably never be possible again in the future.

Moreover, even if Su Feng has already stated that he is willing to leave some assets for the Raptors through a sign-and-trade, Grunwald is also very clear...

This is just a step that Chad and Su Feng left for each other as adults.

Because, at that time, let alone leaving Su Feng...

With Chad's little savings, Big Ben, whose contract will expire next season, and Nash, who can also choose to jump out of the last year of his contract...

The Raptors will not be able to keep them.

In Su Feng's previous life, the reason why the Raptors could only let McGrady go for nothing was because even if they could use McGrady to sign and trade, they did not have the financial resources to solve the chips traded back after McGrady signed and traded.

In 2002, how many owners in the NBA could burn tens of millions of dollars a year without feeling heartache like Paul Allen?

And Chad is willing to spend tens of millions of dollars this summer to contribute to the NBA...

It is still based on the premise that the Raptors have been profitable in the past few years and the market value has been rising.

However, if you let Chad make such an investment every year...

I'm afraid it will not kill him.

Wake up, this is tens of millions of dollars in 2002!

In the NBA, in this year, the total net worth of most owners in the NBA is only more than one billion.

Therefore, Grunwald knew that the reason why Chad was so generous this time...

I am afraid it is still because he is actually very reluctant to part with these Raptors players in his heart.

However, as a mature capitalist, when you should bow your head to money, you must also learn to bow your head to money.

"So, get ready to welcome Toronto's last madness!"

This day, looking at the Raptors' list that was about to be completed, Grunwald clenched his fists and thought silently.

...

New York, Olympic Tower, NBA headquarters.

Just as the world was talking about the various arms races launched by various teams, Stern had recently fallen into deep trouble.

Because in the past few years, on the surface, the NBA has successfully emerged from the "post-Jordan era"...

But if you study it carefully, you will find...

No matter how lively the playoffs are, the teams that can reach the end every year are only those three.

Celtics, Raptors, Lakers.

As the NBA's "Royal Three Families", in the past few years, these three teams have brought endless topics to people while...

In fact, they are also making the NBA move towards the situation that Stern is most unwilling to see.

Moreover, due to the existence of the Bird Clause...

This makes these three teams with excellent vision able to leave the team's star players in the form of a super-cap renewal...

Therefore, even if there is a luxury tax check and balance...

Stern found that as long as these three teams are willing to contribute to the NBA, then he seems to have no way to deal with them.

And in this way...

As time goes by, Stern knows that people will sooner or later be tired of the "Royal Three Families" rule.

Because for Stern, who knows that fans are a group of creatures who like the new and dislike the old...

He knows very well that a temporary monopoly, although it seems to push the NBA to a new height in the short term, if the monopoly cannot be stopped in time, then the future waiting for the NBA will definitely be a decline in attention.

After all, if the Finals are always played by the Celtics, Lakers and Raptors, how can the other 26 teams survive?

But...

What method should be used to prevent these very visionary powers from making a fortune with these rookies' contract benefits?

After studying the history of the Raptors, Celtics and Lakers in the past few years, Stern found...

The first-round show contract system that was originally designed to protect small and medium-sized teams has now become a clause used by these strong teams to break the rules and maintain the strength of the lineup.

Take the Celtics as an example.

After renewing contracts with Marbury and Ray Allen, the reason why they were able to renew their contracts with Duncan was because Duncan's rookie contract expired one year later than Marbury and Ray Allen, and Duncan had bird rights.

And in this way...

As long as the Celtics are willing to pay the luxury tax, then in theory, they can even keep Artest and Randolph in the future.

And although Stern is not a time traveler like Su Feng, in the past two years, as Ray Allen and Marbury have become All-Star players, and Artest and Randolph have shown good potential...

Therefore, in Stern's view, the Celtics' lineup is simply ridiculously strong.

The Raptors and Lakers are also the same.

Because now in this Raptors team, there are five young All-Star players under the age of 26.

As for the Lakers...

Due to Kidd's early child labor contract...

You may not believe it...

As long as Old Buss is willing to pay, then they can use the OK and Kidd trident to death.

There is no way, based on the strength shown by the think tanks of the Lakers, Raptors, and Celtics in the past few years, Stern knows that it is no longer realistic for him to expect the management of other teams to catch up with these three teams.

Therefore, only new clauses can solve Stern's worries.

At this time, Stern's assistant Mark also showed his clever side as Stern's successor.

"David... what you are worried about now is that these teams with great vision, in the case of being able to leave the team's potential rookies in the form of a super-cap renewal, their lineup strength will always be much higher than other teams, right?" Looking at Stern, Mark said.

Stern nodded.

After a pause, Mark continued, "But David, even if these teams can complete a super-cap renewal, they have to pay us a luxury tax, don't they?"

Hearing this, Stern suddenly thought of something.

"Keep talking." Stern patted Mark on the shoulder and asked with an expectant look on his face.

"Then why don't we introduce a new clause to increase the penalties for those teams that always trigger the luxury tax line in the past few years?" Mark said.

"You mean, introduce a new clause called 'Super Luxury Tax'?" Stern smiled.

"Yes, and such a clause will definitely be supported by most owners in the league.

Because recently, many owners have been complaining that their investment has increased, but their income has decreased," Mark added.

Wonderful!

Patted Mark on the shoulder, at this moment, Stern always felt that the most correct thing he had done in the past few years was to let Mark be his successor.

Because just like Mark said...

Stern can be 100% sure that most of the owners in the league will approve this clause with both hands.

Because in this way, even if some teams can withstand the huge fines for a while, they cannot withstand a lifetime.

In addition, in a sense, this can also allow those teams that are trying to draw a bunch of prizes by tanking to minimize their tanking cycle as much as possible.

Because after the introduction of the "Super Luxury Tax" clause, in theory, getting two top rookies is already the limit that a team can bear under the current salary cap.

After all, even if you can select five All-Star starters through the draft like the Raptors and Celtics, you can only make wedding dresses for others in the future when you renew your contracts.

Moreover, in order to avoid huge fines, the cosmic teams like the Celtics, Raptors, and Lakers will definitely have to choose to dismantle their original lineup as soon as possible.

And in this way, the goal that Stern wants to achieve can be realized.

That is, to allow the future of the league to achieve a more balanced development.

It's just...

If only Su Feng didn't know about Mark's idea for Stern...

Otherwise, he would definitely suspect that Mark had also been possessed by someone recently.

Because in Su Feng's previous life, due to the series of heaven-defying operations of Logo man in Oakland, the Warriors gathered a luxurious lineup known as the Cosmic Warriors in a short period of time...

So the "Super Luxury Tax" was originally introduced to restrict cosmic teams like the Warriors.

And under this clause, even if the NBA salary cap expands several times in the future, it is impossible for a team to maintain the base of the "Cosmic Team" for many consecutive years.

I have to say...

Fate, this thing is really wonderful.

Stern may not believe it.

For the Raptors, who had already prepared to disintegrate in the summer of 2002, and Su Feng, who was preparing to lead the team with a single core after the end of next season...

The introduction of the "Super Luxury Tax" will not only not sanction the Raptors, but it will even bring Su Feng a new round of epic strengthening in an invisible way!

In addition, at that time...

The "unknowing" Stern may even have the illusion that Su Feng deserves to be his good brother, and can always form a tacit understanding with him...

...

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