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Chapter 756 - 323. Jordan: You just won’t stop, will you!

Chapter 756: 323. Jordan: You just won’t stop, will you!

Zhang Yang heard that trading for Artest required including Perkins and knew this trade was not going to happen.

Even if the King’s team said they wanted another draft right, veteran leader Muhammad, or Rondo, Muhammad, Mike Miller, Jarett Jack, and Afflalo’s signing rights, plus draft rights, they could probably make it happen at Big Brother Group with a bunch of loose change for a frontline defensive core, and it absolutely wouldn’t be a loss.

But involving Perkins was truly not viable.

Perkins, with an average of 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, seemed to be overpaid with a $4 million annual salary, but in reality, this price was incredibly fair. In the offseason, teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Mavericks, Pistons, Jazz, and Chicago Bulls...aside from the Suns, all championship-contending teams offered Perkins mid-level contracts.

Perkins was willing to renew at this price because it meant he could play with his teammate Zhang San, have exposure, endorsements, and appear on various TV shows.

Originally, Perkins’ market value couldn’t reach mid-level status, but once Yao Ming went to the Chicago Bulls, his value shot up immediately.

Even the owner of the Pistons was willing to pay taxes to bring in Perkins, and the Chicago Bulls, where Yao Ming was, also wanted to bring this strong defensive center back as a mascot.

Actually, all teams knew Perkins couldn’t guard Yao Ming, but they still wanted him because teams without Perkins suffered even more at the hands of Yao Ming.

The defensive pairing of Kwame Brown and Garnett was fierce enough, but when Yao Ming got tough, he could still score 30 points and join Ben Wallace to produce stifling mid-range defense.

Seeing that Zhang Yang was fine with it, Carlisle asked, "Jack, don’t you have any objections to this trade?"

Joe, upon hearing this, glared fiercely at Carlisle: Are you even listening to yourself?

Inquisitive look from another bald coach.

Zhang Yang replied, "This trade isn’t bad, it hardly counts as mortgaging the future. At most, next season, Raymond and Rajon might compete for the starting spot, which is not good for our championship pursuit. Everyone loves Raymond, and I know that one day Rajon will leave. Using overflowing talent to get immediate fighting power fits our current needs.

There will definitely be sadness, but I’m already used to it. In the past two and a half years, quite a few teammates have left. Unless it’s a terrible trade, I won’t hold a grudge against you guys.

I know a trade doesn’t mean we always get the player we want by giving players of equivalent talent and value. I understand there are many helplessness and compromises, like Michael. If he wanted to trade Rajon to the Pistons for Rasheed Wallace, they would definitely hang up his phone."

Carlisle: "..."

Satisfied look from another bald coach.

Joe: Are you seriously still going on about that little clash we had?

...

In the evening, Zhang Yang drove to a restaurant by the lakeside on the outskirts of town.

Zhang Yang and Felton had planned to call out Rondo for a farewell meal, but before they could call him, Rondo called Felton first, inviting them to dinner.

After handing the car keys to the valet, Zhang Yang sized up the restaurant...it was no worse than the one where Joe had treated them to a meal.

Rondo had called the whole Big Brother Group, and although they agreed not to drink, with little Duncan around during dinner time...

Zhang Yang remembered that Rondo was the type who pursued a luxurious lifestyle. Not long after retiring, there were rumors of his bankruptcy.

According to media calculations, Rondo’s long career earnings, including salary and endorsements, amounted to over 75 million US dollars, but by retirement, his bank account was nearly empty.

In comparison to over 90% of NBA players, Rondo’s spending was quite ’healthy’; he didn’t make foolish investments, didn’t have a bunch of brothers to support, didn’t do drugs or drink excessively, and mainly focused on buying cars, houses, and indulging in entertainment...

The problem was that Rondo, making a ten million annual salary and taking home six to seven million, spent three to four million a year. Later, as he wandered around teams making two to three million a year, taking home just over a million, he still spent three to four million annually, quickly depleting his savings.

In this regard, Zhang Yang had no intention of advising him, knowing Rondo, if he suggested that Rondo save a bit, Rondo might feel insulted.

He could only wish that Rondo’s career would perform better than expected, earn more, and live lavishly a bit longer after retirement.

However, given the chance, he would also suggest Rondo invest some of his salary into a trust fund like Iverson and Felton did, as a safety net for the future.

Whether Rondo would heed the advice was not Zhang Yang’s concern. Like the great Brown before, who took advice, not many black athletes did. Before last season, he mentioned this to Brown, who immediately went to ask Joe, the owner, to withdraw 30% of his salary for the season in advance to buy into a trust, from which he could start drawing money monthly after turning 40.

Zhang Yang entered the restaurant and was led by the waiter to the private room Rondo had booked; the ’Big Brother Group’ had already arrived.

During dinner, some teammates expressed their reluctance to part with Rondo, others offered blessings... The atmosphere was very relaxed.

Mainly because Rondo did not show discontent or anger about being traded, he seemed somewhat happy but also noticeably sad...

Zhang Yang guessed that Rondo might have already entertained thoughts of going to a team where he could get more opportunities. Of course, having played together for over a year and won a championship together, he was sure there were feelings of reluctance to part...

...

After a day of rest, January 20th, the Bobcats’ 39th game day of the season arrived.