Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 425 Americans Know How to Make Money
With Sugon's strong performance, its stock price has broken through $60 per share, and its market value is close to $250 billion!
Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, is bustling with activity as the 26th Summer Olympic Games are about to be held, attracting athletes and tourists from all over the world.

Atlanta is the commercial, financial, transportation, and industrial center of the southeastern United States, and the Atlanta metropolitan area is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States!

Nighttime at the Marquis Marriott Hotel in downtown Atlanta.

Aaron embraced Jennifer Connelly as they leaned against the large bathtub in their hotel room, enjoying the Atlanta night view!
When did you become interested in the Olympics?

Jennifer Connelly, leaning against Aaron, kissed the man with a hint of confusion.

Aaron smiled, responding to the woman's kiss, then stroked her 34D breasts. "Just came to take a look!"

This year marks the centenary of the Olympic Games, and when it comes to hosting the Olympics, the United States is absolutely second to none.
The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was the first ever to be profitable, and the Americans' money-making strategy is truly admirable.

Neither the Los Angeles Olympics nor this year's Atlanta Olympics were government-run; they were funded by private capital.
Funds were raised through the private sector, and the preparations for the Olympics were made with the help of the private sector. The preparations for the Atlanta Olympics were entirely handled by private capital, excluding not only the US government but also the US Olympic Committee!
The government and the domestic Olympic Committee are only responsible for liaising with the International Olympic Committee.

Jennifer Connelly smiled and put her arm around the man's neck. "The Suns want to trade Charles Barkley, and the Rockets can use Dennis Rodman as trade bait."

Dennis Rodman is quite capable, and he's an absolute master at rebounding, but this guy is also incredibly difficult to deal with.
He caused more trouble in his one season with the Rockets than in all his previous seasons combined, no wonder the Spurs traded him even though they recognized his abilities.
Aaron shook his head. "Another veteran player. Is the Rockets going to become a retirement home?"

Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler are both getting on in years and are suffering from a growing number of injuries, especially Clyde Drexler, whose performance declined significantly last season due to injuries and age!
Now we have another Charles Barkley? This guy isn't young either.

"I'm here to see Shaquille O'Neal. He's an Olympic member of the US men's basketball team and hasn't renewed his contract with the Orlando Magic yet."

"What the Rockets need now is the core of the future, not the old, weak, and disabled!"

Moreover, with the end of the NBA season, Michael Jordan's contract with the Chicago Bulls expired, and he tested the free agent market.

Clubs such as the Knicks, Lakers, Rockets, and Celtics all extended offers to Michael Jordan.

However, it is very difficult to stop Michael Jordan from playing. The Chicago Bulls are also making every effort to keep him, which is the pressure that Michael Jordan is putting on the Chicago Bulls.
Keep in mind that the NBA salary cap for next season is only $2430 million!
The Houston Rockets have no confidence in acquiring Michael Jordan, simply because his commercial value is just too high.

Nowadays, perimeter players have a much higher commercial value than interior players. At last month's New Jersey NBA draft, the Rockets selected guard Derek Fisher with the 23rd pick.

“Top players these days don’t come cheap,” Jennifer Connelly sighed.

A few days ago, Washington Bullets' center Juwan Howard wanted to sign a 7-year, $1.008 million contract with the Miami Heat.

However, due to salary cap regulations, and under pressure from the NBA and the players' union, the contract was declared invalid by the NBA. This infuriated Heat head coach Pat Riley, and subsequently, 23-year-old Juwan Howard signed a 7-year, $1.05 million contract with the Washington Bullets, remaining in Washington.
And so, the NBA's first player with a 100 million dollar contract was born!

However, just a few days later, the Heat signed Alonzo Mourning, the second overall pick in the 1992 draft, to a seven-year, $1.05 million salary contract extension.

Alonzo Mourning was traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Miami Heat in the latter half of last year. This contract extension made Alonzo Mourning the first player in Heat history to receive a contract worth over $100 million.

"Yes, they're not cheap. Alonzo Mourning and Juwan Howard both received contracts worth over $100 million."

"Shaquille O'Neal's agent certainly shared this idea, but unfortunately, the Magic already have Anfernee Hardaway!"

Shaquille O'Neal suffered a finger injury in the preseason last season and was sidelined at the beginning of the regular season. Anfernee Hardaway, as the point guard, took on the scoring responsibility for the team and led the Magic to a 17-5 start. He won over the entire Orlando with an all-around performance of 27 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.2 steals and 1 block per game.
Anfernee Hardaway signed a massive 9-year, $7200 million contract with the Magic the following year.

"I heard that O'Neal wants to sign a 7-year, $1.15 million contract with the Magic. The Magic made it public in the newspapers, but Orlando fans don't think he's worth that much money!"

Jennifer Connelly is also worried about the Houston Rockets' salary cap situation, after all, they already have Hakeem Olajuwon on the team.

Aaron kissed Jennifer Connelly on the lips. "Shaquille O'Neal is worth the money!"

Jennifer Connelly fell silent. "Next year, Hakeem Olajuwon's salary will be around $1000 million. If the Rockets pursue Shaq, they'll have to give up on Olajuwon."

"The best course of action would be to trade Hakeem Olajuwon this year for some role players!"

Because next season is the last year of Hakeem Olajuwon's contract with the Rockets, if they let Olajuwon go this year, it means that the Rockets have dropped out of the championship race next season.

With Hakeem Olajuwon staying for another year and Shaquille O'Neal joining the team, the Rockets will be stronger than ever next season.

Aaron sighed. "Let's talk about it later. Let's get Shaquille O'Neal on our side first. He's the jewel of this year's free agency market!"

As for Hakeem Olajuwon, Aaron hadn't decided yet, because if he traded away such a meritorious player, Houston fans would probably challenge Aaron to a duel.

However, there's no need to overthink it. The NBA is essentially a business league, and the Knicks have clearly stated their willingness to trade Patrick Ewing, haven't they?
Anyway, Rockets' general manager Ray Patterson and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich are both in Atlanta right now, so let's discuss it!

(End of this chapter)