basketball player

Chapter 627 Chapter 625: War One Year Early
"I don't think we should sign PJ Tucker, he's not the type of player we need."

In a small villa in the Carmel district of Indianapolis.Two of the city's greatest basketball players, Larry Bird and Henson Joe, are sitting down to discuss the future of the Pacers.

"Why? Tucker is a good player, I promise." Henson said as he poured freshly brewed tea for Bird.

"Because our forward line is already very crowded, Henson. Even if Channing Frye is gone, our forward line is extremely crowded! Antetokounmpo, Siakam, even Bogdanovic and Paul George can play forward. By the way, and that little handsome guy you got in the draft this year, he is also a forward! And now you tell me, we have to sign PJ Tucker? I don't understand, Henson."

Bird let go, he didn't want to meddle in Henson's basketball affairs.Rather, as the literal meaning put it, Bird didn't understand why Henson signed Tucker, he just wanted to hear Henson explain.

"Speaking of that handsome guy, his name is Kyle Kuzma. That guy performed very well in the summer league. He just defeated the Los Angeles Lakers led by Lonzo Ball in the last game. I think he is even eligible to win the summer league MVP."

Henson did not answer Bird immediately, but touched on another topic, "Do you know what Ball said after losing to Kuzma? He said that Kuzma was not so good in college, and no one remembered Kuzma in the NCAA. But now, he let a second place remember him. Hahahahaha, it seems that this time we made the right bet again, Bird."

"Yeah, yeah, that little guy's progress is amazing, that's what the media is writing about. Come on, I know about Kuzma. You haven't answered my question, Henson. Why do we still need PJ Tucker? What do you think he can bring to the team?"

"Three points, defense, toughness, these are all things that Tucker can bring us. And the addition of Tucker will not make our forward line crowded."

"You mean, you plan to play Tucker at guard?"

"No," Henson waved his hand lightly, "I plan to let Tucker play the center forward!"

"Pfft!" Bird just took a sip of tea and sprayed it all over the floor.

"What? The tea is too hot?" Henson smiled gloatingly.

"PJ Tucker is less than 2 meters tall, and he is a typical small forward. He struggles to play the fourth position, and you actually want him to play the center forward!?" Bird ignored Henson's joke, and he found that he could not keep up with Henson's thinking.

"Now is the era of small ball, Bird. A 1-meter small lineup center, not short at all. Last season, Antetokounmpo played a good center, but he is more suitable for attacking from the outside. If you want Antetokounmpo to go further, I think it is better to put him in the most suitable position. What about Siakam? His confrontation ability is not enough to top the fifth position.

Seeing Byrd getting serious, Henson stopped laughing, but began to answer seriously.

"So, this season we need to introduce someone who can play a center when changing formations. Tucker is strong defensively, with enough tonnage and strength to resist ordinary insiders. Moreover, he can also open up space, which Antetokounmpo couldn't do when he was playing a center. No matter how bad it is. We may also use him as a spare tire for Siakam and Kuzma. If Kuzma does not adapt after entering the NBA, we can use him to replace Kuzma's position."

Bird nodded thoughtfully. According to Henson, PJ Tucker's signing is indeed very worthwhile.

Henson's current reinforcement plan for players is actually very clear, that is, he wants the jack-of-all-trades type who can play multiple positions.And Tucker's ability to defend from the outside to the inside undoubtedly meets this requirement very well.

"Bird, there is one more thing that I have to tell you in advance. Because I hope the team can prepare in advance." After talking about Tucker, Henson still decided to tell the whole story of his plan.

"whats the matter?"

"Well, something that you might not be too happy to hear." Henson bit his lips. He didn't want the Pacers to know his retirement plan at the end and lead to insufficient preparation.Therefore, I plan to tell Bird in advance that I plan to retire at the age of 40.

But when the words came to the lips, they were not so easy to say.
※※※

"Damn Indianapolis, damn it!" Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was furious in the office. He couldn't believe that the role player he had been eyeing for a long time would be intercepted by the Pacers ahead of time!

Two hours ago, NBA officials and Pacers officials announced at the same time that PJ Tucker accepted a three-year $2 million contract from the Pacers and officially joined the Indiana Pacers.

塔克拒绝了猛龙队3年3300万的最高报价，也拒绝了火箭4年3200万的抠门报价，折中选择了步行者的3年2800万。

For Tucker, what he values ​​most now is not money, so the Raptors are naturally unable to compete.

And in the same situation of winning, Tucker had to use money to measure a contract.

So, Tucker finally chose the Pacers.A team where he doesn't need to cut his salary too much, but can still win.

Tucker's move pissed off Morey. Morey wanted to make a drastic move to get a championship lineup this summer, but unexpectedly the first step of the plan was destroyed by the Pacers.

Originally, the Rockets were so close to Tucker, but all this was ruined by the Pacers joining midway.

Morey covered his head with his hands in annoyance. There are not many big fish left this summer.Gordon Hayward and Kelly Irving are the Rockets' only hope.

But what if you can't get together a championship lineup this year?Morey couldn't help but took out Chris Paul's information.Next year, he will make the Pacers pay for it with blood!
Paul's contract expires next summer, and the Pacers will definitely take the lead in renewing the younger George with a maximum salary.At that time, Morey will offer a contract that the Pacers can't match, and recruit Paul into his command!

Just thinking about Paul + Harden's guard line makes people feel chills down the spine.

Morey hooked the corner of his mouth and didn't bother PJ Tucker anymore.His thoughts have already flown to next summer, the summer that the Pacers are destined to regret.

※※※

The whole world knows that Paul and George will renew their contracts next summer, and they all know that it is impossible for the Pacers to offer them both maximum salary contracts.Therefore, there are now many rumors that the Pacers want to trade Paul.

As the head coach of the Pacers, it is impossible for Henson not to know these things.

Although it is a little early to think about next summer, Henson still feels it is necessary to talk to Paul.After all, Paul is a meritorious player for the Pacers, and the four championships are inseparable from Paul's contribution.Henson would not forgive himself if he let the meritorious players go in such a muddle-headed manner.Moreover, it is also necessary for him to avoid rumors about "the Pacers want to trade Paul", lest Paul think too much.

So after just signing Tucker, Henson called Paul.He wanted to chat with Paul, to talk about belonging next summer.

"Honestly, Coach. I'm willing to take a pay cut, and I'm willing to stay in the Pacers. But you also know, I'm 32 years old, and I've entered the end of my career. In other words, next summer, it's my last chance to get a big contract. So, if other teams offer me an offer that I can't refuse, I"

"Well, Chris, I can understand. Don't worry, I won't trade you early in exchange for chips, and I won't deprive you of your position because you plan to leave. I respect your choice, and you are not my personal property. Next summer, if a team is willing to sign you with a maximum salary, I will never stop you. But until then, Chris, you are still the leader of the Pacers, and this will not change!"

Henson understood what Paul meant. Similar to Horford, he didn't want to leave the Pacers, but at the same time he didn't want to miss the chance to sign the last maximum salary.This is a good thing. Henson doesn't want a player to give up tens of thousands of dollars for himself.The story of one person, one city is romantic and beautiful, but looking at the current league, how many players can meet the conditions of one person, one city?
The Mavericks and the Lakers are willing to offer big contracts to the aging Kobe and Dirk, just for the sake of feelings.But this kind of financial resources, not every team has.

It's good that no one will give Paul a maximum salary next summer. Paul will cut his salary and stay, and everything will be fine.But if someone really wants to do something, give Paul a maximum salary contract while ensuring competitiveness.
Henson pouted, feeling a little worried.After all, he's never led a Paul-less team to a title.

Unknowingly, the secret battle between the Pacers and the Rockets has already started a year in advance.
　The Rocket Warriors are really fighting with gods this year. Both the Trail Blazers and the Nuggets want to quit the group.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)