The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 139 The Dust Settles
After Zhang Xiaotian became a free agent, the Heat also contacted his agent, but did not show any particular interest.

Unexpectedly, James would send a text message to invite him to the Heat. In the league, the boss still has to give face. Zhang Xiaotian asked Eddie to add the Heat to the negotiation list.

A few days later, Eddie called to report on the progress of the teams.

"The Warriors are yellow, and they paid a higher price to get Iguodala."

"The Bucks need you to give an accurate answer quickly. You are not their only target."

"The Lakers are only willing to give 1000 million for three years, but they are willing to commit to a main position. Los Angeles is a big city, and we can also consider it."

"The Magic are the most sincere now. They quoted 2000 million for four years, and they also promised the main position. I think if we try harder, 2400 million for four years will be no problem."

"The Heat's offer is 1000 million for two years. They don't agree to give players options, but they said they can give the main position."

It didn't go as expected, but there is still a lot of time in the summer, and there should be teams interested in him. If they can't get a better goal, they will try to get him.

This is why Zhang Xiaotian wants to become a completely free agent, so he can have enough time to choose the best place to go.

"The Heat are also willing to give me the main position? Could it be that James will play me as a substitute." Zhang Xiaotian wondered.

"They said that the current trend in the league is small ball. James can play the [-]th position, or you can play the [-]th position, just like you and Leonard in the Spurs' first and fourth juniors. They think that if you team up with James, it will be in the future. The Spurs paired with an enhanced version of Leonard, I think it can also be considered."

To be honest, because of the championship system, Zhang Xiaotian hopes to join a team that is expected to win the championship.

Of course, if the money difference is too much, I will still choose to make money. Just like Popovich said, professional basketball is for making money.

The words are a bit biased, but professional basketball comes first after all.

For those who are going to marry a wife, Zhang Xiaotian will not have trouble with money.

It is actually a good choice for the Warriors to give 2000 million for three years. They have shown their potential in the playoffs, but if it is the Bucks, he still has to consider it.

The Lakers don't think about it. What will he do after leaving the Spurs for 1000 million in three years? A big city is a big city, but Howard is said to be leaving, and Kobe is still injured. It is difficult for the Lakers to compete for the championship.

The Magic and the Heat also have to consider, neither is the perfect place to go, he hopes there are other options.

It is difficult to feel at ease staying here, Zhang Xiaotian decided to go back immediately.

Yang Feiyu will stay for the time being. In fact, Zhang Xiaotian was a little moved by Yang's father's suggestion that day, to start his own sports brand, which sounds very exciting.

He asked Yang Feiyu to stay to inspect the market, and also learned business management from Yang's father. He still has an endorsement contract, and he has to wait until the end of the contract to develop his own brand. There is no rush now.

As for the marriage, after his contract is settled and the new season starts, Yang Feiyu will come over to register with him. The wedding is too urgent this summer, and it is planned to be next summer.

At the airport in San Antonio, Zhang Xiaotian unexpectedly met Gary Neal.

After Zhang Xiaotian became a free agent, the Spurs also gave up their offer to Gary Neal, which surprised Zhang Xiaotian. He thought that the team would definitely keep Gary Neal after he left.

After all, apart from Ginobili, the Spurs' bench can be called gangsters, and they are the only two.

The two had some conflicts in the team's playing time, and the relationship was very ordinary, but they met in this situation, and they went to the store next to the airport to have a glass of beer together.

"Zhang, do you think my asking price of 1000 million for three years is too much? With the strength of the two of us, we can get a middle class wherever we go. I really want to stay." Gary Neal obviously felt uncomfortable.

"It's better to be a big man, and the team is happy to give money."

Zhang Xiaotian also felt a little embarrassed, the Spurs were indeed not very generous to the role players.

But he didn't dare to say that Popovich was willing to offer him this price, otherwise Gary Neal might not be able to bear it and run away.

Unlike Gary Neal, who is older and only wants to make more money, Zhang Xiaotian has higher pursuits.

Back in the United States, Zhang Xiaotian has been training intensively. Some players have already invited him to play amateur games to maintain his condition. Many league players will join him, so he intends to agree.

There is not much progress on the new contract. The anxious teams have already made a move. Now everyone is waiting, and the players and the team want to take advantage of themselves.

Other competitive teams, the Grizzlies, Nets, and Clippers also contacted Eddie, but they didn't intend to give a suitable price, and Zhang Xiaotian really had no place to go.

It's not good to delay it too late. If there is no suitable one at that time, Zhang Xiaotian can only make do with it.

He contacted James. Although the two had no friendship, but James took the initiative to recruit him, there must be a little different treatment.

The Heat gave up Mike Miller, and the striker really needs a human look.

James promised to communicate with the Heat's management. When Eddie went to talk again, the Heat let go a little. They were willing to offer a two-year contract of 1080 million and give up player options.

With $80 and player options, James' face is still useful.

Don't underestimate the $80. The salary of the Big Three will increase next season. They will definitely have to pay the luxury tax, and they will feel distressed for every extra $1 spent.

They reluctantly made an offer like Zhang Xiaotian, in fact, in order to successfully renew James' contract next season, so they only offered for two years at first, and also had team options, just to give up Zhang Xiaotian quickly in case something went wrong.

Zhang Xiaotian is also depressed. Is there no team planning to train him to be the core? Or is it that he is discriminated against because he is older?

The Bucks did not continue to wait. They made various deals and signings in succession, sent away the double guns in the backcourt, and the face of the team has changed drastically.

Zhang Xiaotian finally made a decision. He called Jacques Vaughn to say sorry, but he did not accept his kindness for two consecutive seasons.

In early August, the free market made waves again, and Zhang Xiaotian, a small fish, was snatched away by the Heat, and he joined the Big Three for two years of 8 million US dollars.

Spurs fans have complicated feelings, but there is an uproar on the other side of the ocean.

Everyone thought that when he left the Spurs, he would go to some small team to get a core outsider and get a bigger contract. Unexpectedly, he would choose the opponent Heat in the finals.

It can only be said that the system has helped the Heat increase the weight, otherwise he might really go to the Magic or the Bucks to fight for the core position on the outside, and maybe he can really become the team leader.

"New journey, different city, same ambition."

Zhang Xiaotian updated his social media and added a sword, implying that the sword points to the championship.

(End of this chapter)