Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 184 Billups' Contract Renewal

Rivers didn't learn about this from the Sentinel newspaper.

The Sentinel is now obsessed with reporting how historic the Magic's championship win was, and then fantasizing about how many more championships the Magic could win in the future.

They don't care about anything else.

Rivers learned the news from Gabriel.

“Didn’t he just buy a villa in Windermere?” Rivers asked blankly.

He knew that Townsend had bought a large villa in Orlando, and he genuinely believed that Townsend would stay in Orlando indefinitely.

Gabriel smiled wryly. "Doug, he just bought a house."

If you have spare money, buying a house is a good idea; investing isn't a good idea.

"I just didn't expect him to go to New York."

Gabriel did consider the possibility of Townsend leaving Orlando.

After all, Tang Sen's family lives in Los Angeles.

Previously, the media had reported that the Lakers had recruited Tang Sen.

Therefore, Gabriel thought that even if Townsend were to leave, he would only go to the Lakers.

The Lakers have money and are willing to spend it, so they can offer Tangsen a big contract.

Who would have thought that the New Yorkers would ultimately succeed?

Gabriel didn't know the details of the contract, but he guessed that the contract amount would definitely not be low.

Everyone in the league knows how rich the New Yorkers are.

"I'll ask him."

Rivers immediately dialed Townsend's number.

It's connected.

"Tang, we worked together seamlessly, and together we helped the Magic win the championship."

"You are an Orlando resident, and in Orlando, you have become a hero of the city."

This is by no means a compliment.

Orlando people are good at creating drama, but they're not stupid; everyone knows how important Townsend is this season.

Therefore, in the Sentinel's commentary on the biggest contributors to the championship, Townsend ranked third, only behind Brown and McGrady.

Even as the head coach, he was ranked sixth.

“If you want a long-term contract, that’s no problem. Just name your price, and we can definitely meet it,” Rivers concluded.

Tang Sen is in the uniform department and doesn't take up salary space, so the amount of money is not a problem.

This is the phone.

Tang Sen was somewhat troubled.

Rivers wasn't the first to call himself.

Clearly, Layden's momentary boastful revelation caused the news to spread rapidly throughout the entire league.

Jackson called himself.

His mentor, Ron Kruger, also called him.

Even Jordan called him.

So Tang Sen went straight to the point: "Doug, do you think Magic can offer me a six million annual salary?"

Regarding the specific contract details, Tang Sen didn't say much from Jackson's side.

But when Kruger asked, Tangsen felt embarrassed to hide the truth and told him the specific amount.

Kruger was immediately speechless.

He only earns a little over a million dollars a year. The Hawks are a small market, so it's impossible for them to invest that much money in a trainer like Tang Sen.

Even if Kruger thinks Townsend might really be worth that price.

So I said it.

"How many?"

Rivers let out a somewhat sharp gasp.

Six million, and it's an annual salary?
My annual salary is only 200 million.

He immediately looked at Gabriel and gave him an inquiring look.

Can you offer an annual salary of six million?

Gabriel was clearly startled, then understood Rivers's look and instantly felt embarrassed.

Six million? New Yorkers are fucking rich.

Silence is an answer.

If money can't satisfy your needs, then talking about feelings is meaningless.

"Tang, give us another chance, I'll try to help you."

Rivers didn't give up.

What if DeVos makes a rash decision and gives it to them?

"Okay, that's settled then."

Tang Sen hung up the phone.

Townsend didn't take Rivers' so-called efforts seriously at all.

When has the notoriously stingy Magic ever been generous? If they were, Shaquille O'Neal wouldn't have left back then.

Silence fell over the office.

"Doug, you're not really going to tell Richie, are you?" Gabriel asked softly.

Based on his understanding of DeVos, he thought it was really going to be tough.

Especially considering the Magic have already won the championship.

For many team owners, a team is a business, an investment, and something they want to make a profit from.

Not everyone is Paul Allen, who has plenty of money, pursues his hobbies, and doesn't care about losing money.

DeVos wants a championship, but he wants to make a profit even more.

Winning the championship is also for the purpose of making a profit.

So if it were last year, perhaps DeVos might have gritted his teeth and agreed.

I didn't know Tang Sen would be this good last year.

Rivers opened his mouth, gave a wry smile, and remained silent.

He was just saying it casually; he didn't really have that much influence to talk to DeVos.

"John, you go and give it a try."

Rivers couldn't help but say.

Why not give it a try? You never know!

"Tang is important if we want to defend our title," Rivers said.

After he said that, Gabriel had no choice but to agree, so he reluctantly nodded.

That same day, Gabriel went to see DeVos.

Unsurprisingly, DeVos did not agree.

“Rich’s exact words were, ‘Anyway, we can train with Tang during the offseason, so it doesn’t matter,’” Gabriel repeated DeVos’s words.

In DeVos's view, it would be best if Townsend could become the team's chief trainer.

But if it costs that much money, then forget it.

Anyway, during the offseason, players can pay for Tang Sen to train with them themselves. In his opinion, there is not much difference, and it can improve the players' level in the same way.

This result was within Rivers' expectations.

With a wry smile, Rivers didn't want to mention Townsend anymore. After a while, he discussed Billups' contract renewal with Gabriel.

"Have you contacted Chauncey's agent? Is he willing to stay?" Rivers asked.

It is said that teams cannot discuss contracts with free agents before July 1st.

But when it comes to our own players, and when it comes to the actual implementation, there's a lot of leeway.

For example, first figure out Billups's ideas.

He won the championship with the team and wanted to take the opportunity to pursue a big, long-term contract.

Or perhaps they'd rather stay and fight alongside the team to defend their title.

It's important to understand this.

“Don’t even mention it.” Just thinking about it gave Gabriel a headache. “You know what kind of person that Chansey agent is. He knows this summer is an opportunity, and he won’t let it slip by, so he’s keeping his mouth shut.”

Billups' agent is Andy Miller.

His mentor was Eric Fleischer, the son of NBA legend Larry Fleischer.

Fleischer's face is Garnett.

He not only helped Garnett secure that multi-million dollar contract, but also personally orchestrated Joe Smith's dual contracts.

Joe Smith was also a Fleischer client.

Andy Miller's association with Fleischer was a perfect example of their collusion.

Moreover, the reason why Wolves' dual contracts were exposed was because Andy Miller betrayed Fleischer and poached Garnett and Smith with signing bonuses and other benefits.

Fleischer and his lawyer went to court, which brought the league's attention to Smith's three consecutive years of minimum salary contracts.

This led to the discovery of the dual contract.

Wolves paid the price.

Fleischer and Miller's reputations were completely ruined.

Therefore, in Gabriel's view, Miller was simply a money-grubbing agent who would stop at nothing to break the rules. For the players, securing a big contract was definitely a good thing, so they were willing to cooperate with Miller.

From the team's perspective, this kind of agent is absolutely the most annoying.

You should know that this is not the only thing he has done.

In 2000, Mike Miller was about to be drafted. In order to sign with Mike Miller in advance, he violated Tennessee regulations and contacted Mike Miller ahead of time.

This will land you in jail.

Rivers frowned; the bad news just kept coming.

Billups' importance in the Magic's current starting lineup is self-evident.

After thinking for a moment, Rivers said, "John, do you think Chauncey would be willing to accept a middle-class exception?"

Last season's mid-level exception was $450 million.

The same should happen next season.

Then the longest contract can be signed is 6 years.

Gabriel said with a wry smile, "I think it's unlikely."

The main reason is that nobody expected Billups to improve so much this season with Townsend's help.

A point guard of his caliber, a championship caliber, could easily land a contract worth close to ten million with a team willing to take a splurge.

In comparison, the Magic's middle-class exception is indeed not very attractive.

Moreover, having already won the championship, it's perfectly understandable for him to pursue a big contract and earn more money.

"wait."

Rivers sighed.

Let's wait a few more days until July 1st, and then we'll have a formal talk with Billups.

But far away in New York.

After signing the contract, Tang Sen stayed in New York for an extra day to discuss some details of the collaboration with Leiden.

For example, you need to lead a team.

Guo Yonglin and Huo Er should both be recruited to become members of their team.

And there's Tederski.

If things go well during the offseason, Tang Sen is considering whether he can poach him as well.

I need a trainer who understands how to manage player health and has a background in sports medicine.

Therefore, the salaries of these teams must also be paid by the Knicks.

Leiden agreed without hesitation.

They've already given out a six million salary, so this is nothing.

After finishing this discussion, Tang Sen immediately flew to Los Angeles.

Tang Ling came to the airport to pick up Tang Sen.

"You really signed with New York, for several years, how much did they pay you? You didn't lose out, did you?"

On the bus, Tang Ling asked anxiously.

"They begged me, how could I possibly suffer a loss?"

Tang Sen mentioned the contract amount.

"How many?"

Tang Ling was so startled that the steering wheel shook.

Annual salary of 600 million, plus an incentive clause of 200 million!
Tang Ling had long heard that New Yorkers were not short of money, but she was still quite shocked.

"Brother, that's impressive."

Tang Ling excitedly patted Tang Sen on the shoulder, happy for him.

"Think back to last year, you were so poor that I had to help you out. I never imagined that in just one year, you would have made it big."

Tang Ling felt like she was dreaming, seeing Tang Sen's career develop to this extent in just one year.

Tang Sen felt a wave of embarrassment.

Before last year, I was indeed destitute and had relied on Tang Ling for financial assistance quite a bit.

"Sis, why don't you go to New York with Mom? Los Angeles is a big city, but New York is too. Your company has a branch there, right? You could develop your business there."

Tang Sen hadn't mentioned sending his family back to Orlando before because he knew Tang Ling had no opportunities for advancement there.

But New York is different.

"Besides, there are many Chinese people in New York, so Mom should get used to it. We can also buy a big villa in Manhattan and Long Island and enjoy life to the fullest."

Now that he's made money, Tang Sen hopes his family can live a better life.

Tang Ling said, "And Orlando, you're really extravagant, buying a villa without making a sound."

But meeting Tang Sen's expectant gaze, she nodded and said, "At least let me ask the company. It's not like you can just transfer someone like that."

Tang Sen nodded, and was about to speak again when his phone rang.

It was Kobe.

When the call connected, Kobe's first question to Tang Sen was whether he wanted to receive a check or make a direct bank transfer.

This attitude shows they don't take the million-dollar fee seriously at all.

When Tang Sen didn't speak, Kobe continued, "Tang, I heard from Phil that you're only recruiting 3 to 4 players, and the fees start at a million dollars."

“It’s okay, whatever you charge in the end, I’ll pay you, as long as there’s a place for me in your club.”

Even if Tang Sen charged two million, Kobe didn't care at all.

This year's failure severely impacted him.

Look at McGrady, he's improved so much since he started training with Townsend.

"Okay, I'll send you the address at this time tomorrow. Just come on time, 4:30."

They say there's a selection process, and spots are limited; the highest bidder wins.

But Tang Sen's so-called selection also has another meaning, which is to select players like Kobe, who have enough talent but whose skills are not yet fully mature.

If it's a player with Jordan's all-around skills, why would you need to recruit him?

Who is giving instructions to whom?

Trainees need to make progress to prove their abilities.

"Tang, are you in Los Angeles?"

Kobe asked in surprise.

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Kobe quickly replied, "Okay, I'll be there on time at 4:30 tomorrow."

He couldn't wait for a long time.

After hanging up the phone, Tang Ling asked, "Was that your Million Club?"

Tang Sen nodded.

Tang Ling clicked her tongue in amazement and said, "Then you can earn millions during the offseason, right? Brother, you're already earning tens of millions a year, catching up with the income of superstar players."

"That's because your little brother is so capable," Tang Sen laughed.

Tang Ling smiled knowingly.

show off!

The message traveled very quickly.

Although Tangsen did not disclose the specific details of the Million Club, those who are smart have probably already figured out that Tangsen is charging such high fees to target an elite group and is unlikely to recruit too many people.

So it's first come, first served.

Maddie, who was on vacation, received the news and contacted Tang Sen.

After learning that he had a spot available, and even a discounted one, McGrady was very satisfied and immediately asked when he would be allowed to report for duty.

As for Brown.

He was startled when he learned that Tangsen was leaving Orlando.

I contacted Tang Sen immediately to ask if he could stay.

Tang Sen had already prepared his explanation.

No matter how good the master-disciple relationship is, the disciple will eventually have to become independent.

Besides, it's not like we'll never see each other again; we'll still be together during the offseason.

Then Tangsen instructed Brown to report to Los Angeles on time.

The fees remain the same.

Brown disagreed, saying he also wanted to pay a million.

Tang Sen's question, "Do you have that much money now?" effectively shut him down.

This kid is still on his rookie contract and is an inside player, so his income is really limited, not to mention he has a whole family to support.

On the day he arrived in Los Angeles, Tang Sen received a call from an old friend.

Vince Carter!

McGrady chose to leave the Raptors because he wanted to prove himself.

Now that McGrady has won the championship, how could Carter not be motivated?

"Tang, you have to help me."

Carter spoke seriously.

This is an old friend and junior, how could Tang Sen possibly refuse?

That flexible spot was actually reserved for Carter.

Moreover, in Tang Sen's view, Carter's technical shortcomings are really quite significant. His dunks are visually appealing, but if he wants to advance further, he really needs to have the skills.

(End of this chapter)