start with scouting

Chapter 692 Backfires
After thinking about it, Su Yang called Xin Ji to the office to discuss how to deal with the anxious situation.

First discuss Cousins’ offer of US$5 million over five years. Su Yang said bluntly: “From a coach’s point of view, Cousins’ lethality in the small ball era is very powerful. , The assist defense and pick-and-roll defense are worse, but the offensive destructive power is enough to resist losing points. We need him to create threats for opponents in the interior, so it is necessary to stay.

From the perspective of a boss, I once promised to build a statue for Cousins. He is the only veteran of the king. In this era when one person is one city, he is one of the totems of the king. From an emotional and commercial point of view, It is also necessary to keep him.

But I am more worried about his health, so it is best to increase the number of appearances and weight control in the new contract. I will also pay attention to reducing his consumption. In the end, I hope that the contract will be four years and the total salary will be close to Heyward. With that contract, we can give him a player option for the fourth year, when he is 30 years old, sign another contract depending on the situation..."

As someone who has experienced it, Su Yang is really worried about Cousins' Achilles tendon and cruciate ligament problems, so he can only use a compromise method. What he can do is to reduce Cousins' consumption. Don't play 40+ minutes in multiple games in a row, that's too easy Accumulate injuries.

Of course, Cousins ​​also needs self-discipline.

As for the contract amount close to Hayward, that is 4 years of 1.28 million US dollars, an average of 3200 million US dollars a year.

Risk reduction is part of the reason. The main reason is to keep a certain amount of salary space and not make it impossible to perform any operations. Of course, compared with Curry’s 5-year $2.01 million, the gap is indeed a bit big, but Curry is the core of the King’s offense.

"What if his team or himself doesn't accept it? His agent is Jeff Schwartz..." Hinkie asked.

"If you don't accept it, we will talk about it next year. I don't want to delay this matter. If Jeff Schwartz hints at applying for a trade or something, he must firmly express that it is impossible. The same is true for LaVine. Will not trade him."

The new season is about to start. Su Yang doesn't want to continue to be distracted by the early contract renewal. Anyway, his attitude is firm, and everyone is considerate of each other. Cousins ​​averages 3200 million as the number one center forward. After all, only three people in the league have an annual salary of 3000 million.

Hinkie nodded to express his understanding, and then contacted Cousins ​​and the LaVine team. Su Yang continued to think about how to arrange the rotation.

The main reason is that the average playing time of Curry and Cousins ​​needs to be controlled below 32 minutes. Rose’s playing time should be determined according to the performance of the game, but even if he plays well, he must be controlled below 20 minutes. Slowly observe Make another change.

In a blink of an eye, on October 16, the Cousins ​​team gave a reply, officially rejecting the 4-year offer of 1.28 million U.S. dollars. The main reason is that the value provided by Cousins, as long as 5 years of 1.8 million U.S. dollars is considered a salary cut, it is absolutely impossible Give up your rights.

When Su Yang saw the email, he called Cousins ​​directly and asked if it was Cousins' real thoughts, but Cousins ​​replied hesitantly: "Coach, every time I make a decision, I will also refer to my family. Especially my mother's advice..."

After listening to the explanation, Su Yang understood that Cousins ​​himself hadn't made up his mind. He wanted to gain Curry's transcendent status and repay Su Yang's love for Bole, but he couldn't ignore the thoughts of the team and his family. Put it off first.

"Coach, I can assure you that even if I don't renew my contract early, I will play [-]% of the game..."

"Of course, I believe you..."

Su Yang hangs up the phone with a little disappointment, and soon calms down. People's thoughts will change with time. As long as they don't kill or set fire to harm the interests of others, no matter what decision they make, it is a personal choice. Turner thought at the beginning Stayed through the mid-level contract, but in the end he accepted the Blazers' 4-year offer of 7000 million US dollars. There is nothing to blame. The salary cut is a feeling, not a responsibility.

Hinkie quickly found Su Yang and asked: "Since Cousins ​​chose to talk next year, can we renew Zach LaVine first? I think the offer of $4 million for four years is quite appropriate, especially for the next season's salary." Cap pullback situation..."

"Don't do that..."

Su Yang waved his hand and refused, "The space is still given priority to Cousins. I don't want to become the second Pat Riley or Danny Ainge, but the news will definitely leak out. If the reporter asks or the fans discuss it, we will reply in a unified way." I don't want to lock up the space."

Hinkie nodded embarrassingly, and continued: "I had a communication with the LaVine team before. They contacted the Grizzlies and were willing to use the first round of next year or the year after next year as the main body of the trade. The Eagles are also potential partners. They should be Top five picks…”

"Anything like this?"

Su Yang can't believe it. An expired LaVine can't stay as long as Cousins ​​renews his contract. There is actually a team willing to exchange the top five picks. If he really wants to offer a 4-year contract, he doesn't have to worry about the Kings matching. , it is hard to be particularly optimistic.

"I also think it's a bit suspicious, but we can continue talking. Anyway, there is nothing to lose, just..."

Seeing Hinkie showing hesitation, Su Yang remembered that he said before that he would never trade LaVine this season. After thinking for a while, he said: "I still can't trade. LaVine is an important part of the four consecutive championships. He will carry the routine. A lot of offensive and defensive tasks in the game, unless he threatens to play badly, but he is not that kind of player, so don't continue to pay attention to potential trades, just give up."

"That line, my next focus will be on finding assistant coaches, signing and renewing the contract. Only Payton II's work has not been completed. He was cut by the Bucks the day before yesterday. Officially joined the team before the season..."

During the conversation, the two finished talking.

Su Yang went straight to the weight room, and after a simple warm-up, he performed two sets of 80kg bench press to stabilize his emotions, winning applause.

NO.18 the next day.

As expected, the news that the Kings failed to renew the contracts of Cousins, Grant, and LaVine in advance was reported by WOJ, SHAMS, and WINDHOST respectively, but the reactions of the media and fans were average, probably expected.

The main contracts of Curry and Antetokounmpo are big enough, and Covington occupies 1500 million. The Kings can't make more space. Even if the contract is renewed + the salary is cut at the same time, only two of them can be left , but not all players accept salary cuts.

Bill Simmons tweeted: "I want to praise the salary cap system from the bottom of my heart. He has prevented the NBA from completely becoming a European football professional league. The situation where money can ignore everything, the Kings can no longer suppress other teams with luxurious lineups , Royal power is not eternal, I believe the ratings of this season will be improved, and who will win the championship is full of suspense again."

That kind of view attracted many fans to like and forward it, comparing their own team to finally seeing the hope of winning the championship.

ESPN followed up with the release of the new season's combat power rankings.

The Cavaliers who make up the Big Four rank first. ESPN believes that as long as Anthony and LeBron are willing to run more and defend more, they can definitely beat the Kings. First, it will make it difficult for the Kings to defend. Second, the Kings can boldly double-team Curry without George. inside.

The Rockets are ranked second, and ESPN believes that the bench lineup is complete, so that the Rockets can better use short rotations in the playoffs.

The Warriors are ranked third. ESPN believes that Curry's technical growth and long-term running-in will cause a qualitative change in the Warriors' offensive ability. Durant's progress in breaking double teams and Thompson's progress in holding the ball will make the Warriors Tactics are more diverse.

The Kings are ranked fourth. ESPN believes that the Kings' defensive and offensive capabilities have been greatly reduced. In fact, George should be kept with a maximum salary, and LaVine and Cousins ​​should be given up.

Seeing the leaderboard, Su Yang liked it and forwarded it: "We like to be underestimated, because it highlights our ability more."

Put down the phone and go straight to the court to watch the training. The king's first game of the new season is about to start, and the opponent is the Rockets, an old acquaintance.

The game was broadcast live on ESPN across the United States, and the host Breen mentioned: Harden picked up and practiced mid-range shooting during the summer off-season.

(End of this chapter)