Chapter 43: The Invisible Crisis

  Zhuang Fei is not a hesitant person, the changes of team players he hopes to grasp the initiative forever as the head coach himself, rather than the players. He can say in front of the media that he hopes everyone can stay, facing the media this is said for other teams to hear, no matter how contradictory it is internally, he does not want to give outsiders a chance to take advantage of it.

  Since Mabrey was so resolute, Zhuang Fei also gave up his plan to continue staying. How to deal with Mabrey became Zhuang Fei's top priority at the moment. After staying in the Timberwolves for two days, the situation here was far from being as simple as Zhuang Fei had imagined. The team's contradictions were almost visible, or rather, irreconcilable, and could be said to have reached a state of high tension. Of course, the main reason for this contradiction was Garnett's six-year $126 million contract signed by Glen Taylor in the previous season. As a rookie entering the NBA in 1995, Garnett's contract would expire this summer. In order to keep this All-Star player, Glen Taylor surprisingly offered such a sky-high price contract. Garnett is excellent and has great potential, which everyone knows. However, as a player with an average of less than 20 points per game, signing a contract comparable to O'Neal's is unacceptable. The fact that Garnett gets so much means that the remaining players will get less, and the most fatal thing is that most of the Timberwolves' core players' contracts are expiring this year, so the internal contradictions of the Timberwolves are the contradictions between Garnett and other core players.

  A 6-year, $126 million contract, this is a huge mess. To put it into perspective, the salary cap for the 1997-98 season was $26.9 million, which means Garnett's salary alone accounted for 80% of the Timberwolves' salary cap. Although the NBA has a soft salary cap, teams can still sign players according to various clauses, as long as they can afford it. Teams like New York and Los Angeles don't care about the salary cap because at that time, there was no luxury tax in the league, which is also one of the main reasons why Glen Taylor dared to do this.

  Zhuang Fei doesn't know when the league will introduce luxury tax clauses, probably after this round of labor negotiations. If the luxury tax system is really implemented at that time, Garnett's contract will become a super poisonous contract.

  It's tough, Zhuang Fei doesn't have time to deal with Garnett right now, and he can't even handle the comings and goings of Terrence Williams and Tom Gugliotta. These two are completely free this year, and Zhuang Fei can't control them either. If they really want to leave, Zhuang Fei has no way to stop them, nor is it possible to squeeze any benefits from them.

  Now how to benefit from the deal in Mabri is the most crucial thing.

  The head coach of the Forest Wolves, Zhuang Fei was sitting alone in his office, occasionally looking around. This place was much larger and more comfortable than the one in Vik's forest. Just as Zhuang Fei was thinking about these trivial matters, the team's general manager, Michael, came in.

  "Kevin, how's the connection going? Is the Los Angeles Clippers willing to trade the No. 1 pick for Marbury? Being able to maximize Marbury's value is naturally what we hope for."

  "It's not impossible, the fast ship is very interested in Marbury, but they are also very interested in Carter and Michael Olowokandi." Kevin McHale said with a wry smile. This year is definitely a draft year, Marbury is excellent, but there are even better newcomers than Marbury this year, such as the three sons of Vickson Lin, the eldest son Duncan has been playing in the NBA for a year, and was selected to the All-Rookie First Team and the All-Defensive First Team in his rookie season, becoming one of the best inside players in the league.

  "What about Vancouver and Denver? "Zhuang Fei still didn't give up, to get Carter would require at least the third pick, Carter wouldn't fall out of the top three."

  "They and the Clippers are in a wait-and-see mode, hoping to get either Carter or Michael Olowokandi," Kevin McHale sighed. "I think we're all out of it until after the top five picks."

  Zhuang Fei nodded slightly dejectedly. The NBA's general managers aren't all fools, and Marbury's appeal isn't that great either.

  "Zhuang, I don't understand why you're so fixated on draft picks. Wouldn't it be better to trade for a proven star? Personally, I think the Nets' offer is pretty good, and Cassell is also an excellent player." When Zhuang spread the word that he wanted to clean house with Marbury, the Nets came knocking, offering a one-on-one deal involving Cassell, but Zhuang directly rejected it. He had no interest in Cassell; it seemed he already had his sights set on another point guard and didn't want another one.

  "How many teams are still interested in Mauro Icardi now and can we make a multi-party transaction?" Zhuang Fei asked again.

  "Multiple transactions are possible, but time is pressing now and must be completed before the draft. The labor and management sides have not negotiated a new agreement yet, and after July 1st, it's very likely that no trades can be made, possibly leading to a complete lockout. Time is very tight and difficult to operate, but I'll try my best," McHale said with a furrowed brow. The NBA is now filled with pessimism and uncertainty everywhere, especially for players whose contracts are about to expire, all because of the labor-management negotiations."

  This year's NBA is really messy, thought Zhuang Fei as he looked at McHale.

  Maikehai's work enthusiasm is very high, after receiving Zhuang Fei's new instructions, he immediately went out to do things.

  Apart from letting McHale handle the Marbury thing, Zhu Fang also sent Deng Yaping to Phoenix to inquire about a person's news. It should be time for some feedback now.

  Just then, the phone in Zhuang Fei's office suddenly rang.

  "Mike, how's it going? What did Phoenix say?" Zhuang Fei picked up the phone and confirmed that it was DeAndre after which he asked anxiously.

  "They're willing to give up Nash, but they don't want to give up next year's draft pick," DeAntoni said excitedly on the other end of the phone.

  "Why not the draft rights? What are their conditions?" Zhuang Fei was somewhat puzzled, as he knew that the Mavericks had not yet made an offer to the Suns for Nash, and Nash was still in a state of being ignored. According to reason, Zhuang Fei's use of next year's draft pick to trade for Nash was already a good deal. After all, Nash's contract was about to expire, with only one year left, and the Suns had no intention of re-signing him.

  "They want to get the renewal rights of Cherokee-Parks"

  "Cherokee Parks?" Zhu Fei was taken aback, and then a white insider's image emerged in his mind. Cherokee Parks, 26 years old, Duke University student, 1995 12th overall pick, contract expires this year, currently not renewed with the Timberwolves, but the Timberwolves have a team option. This white center has a rating of 69 points in the Dynasty system, potential B-, and has some blue blood.

  "Agreed, get this done as soon as possible, I'm afraid of unexpected twists and turns, no matter what the Suns ask for, you must first agree." Zhuang Fei agreed without hesitation. The Suns lack an inside presence, and Cheick Diallo-Parks averaged 7.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 20 minutes per game this season, making him a very good inside player. After all, he's a substitute, if converted to 40 minutes, that would be an average of 14+11+2.2. This is also the reason why the Suns want Diallo-Parks.

  Due to the new labor agreement, Zhuang Fei must also rush to build the team. If the NBA really locks out and all transactions are suspended, with this team that has lost Marbury and two of the "Three Swordsmen", it is impossible to be competitive in the West.

  The knockout stage is all about who's better prepared.