The older superstars of the NBA

Pat Riley didn't answer Zhao Feiyang's question directly, but got up and took out a document from the desk drawer.

It seems that it has been prepared for a long time. Pat Riley specially prepared a Chinese version of this contract. He handed the two copies to Zhao Feiyang, and then sat on the sofa and drank coffee while waiting for Zhao Feiyang's reaction.

Zhao Feiyang took the contract in his hand and looked through it carefully, especially the Chinese version, which he read very seriously.

"Three years, $1000 million?"

"The first-year contract is 200 million, the second-year contract is also 200 million, and the third-year contract is 600 million... In addition, the Heat have a team option for the third year..."

When Zhao Feiyang saw these conditions, he remained calm on the surface, but his heart was full of turmoil.

In his opinion, this contract extension is nothing but shit!

Not only did the wages decrease in the first and second years, but in the third year, the Heat had team options, which meant that they could renew their contracts or trade themselves. In short, the initiative is still in their hands.

Seemingly guessing that Zhao Feiyang might not be satisfied with such a contract, Pat Riley, general manager of the Heat, also complained.

"Zhao, in fact, with your ability, it is not a problem to give you a price of 500 million U.S. dollars per year... You are a very good guy... However, you are too old, and you will soon At the age of 30, this is fatal for any professional player, even superstars, at this age, they will also enter a watershed in their careers..."

"I really hope to give you a big contract, but the situation of the Heat is not good now... You know, the salary of the Big Three occupies most of the salary space of the team. If the price is too high, I'm afraid the team will pay a lot of luxury tax......"

"Of course, this is the team's problem. I'm sorry.... The main reason is that we hope to find more helpers. Only when the team continues to reach the finals, the overall interests of the team will More, every player will benefit then...."

"Maybe the money is very little, but I believe that with your ability and the exposure you will get in Miami, many sponsors will find you. At that time, your annual endorsement contract will definitely exceed the team's initial contract." The wages paid..."

Pat Riley spoke earnestly, and continued to comfort Zhao Feiyang with an elder tone, which seemed very easy to move.

Zhao Feiyang didn't rush to answer, but took a sip of coffee, shook his head and sighed.

Regardless of Pat Riley's routine, he is well aware that the Heat's salary allocation is problematic.

It can be said that the Big Three accounted for almost 6% to 1.1% of the salary expenditure of the Heat. Among them, LeBron James and Chris Bosh signed a 6-year 1.08 million contract, and Dwyane Wade also Signed a [-]-year $[-] million contract.

This season, LeBron James' salary is as high as 1907 million US dollars, Chris Bosh's salary is the same, Dwyane Wade is slightly less, but it has reached a terrifying 1867 million US dollars.

In addition to the three of them, the team's highest paid player is veteran Udonis Haslem, which is only 434 million US dollars, and the other player who has reached 400 million US dollars is Mario Chalmers.

Under these two, none of them reached $400 million, and there were only three players with more than $300 million. The rest were mostly more than $3 million, and there were even non-guaranteed contracts of $100.

However, the luxury tax threshold for this season is 7148 million US dollars, and the combined salary of the Big Three alone is 5681 million US dollars.

The threshold of the luxury tax next season will not change too much, but the salary of the Big Three will not decrease, so it is actually not easy to strengthen the lineup in the salary space of more than 1000 million.

This season, the Heat have paid more than 1000 million US dollars in luxury taxes. If they fail to reach the finals and win the championship, will the team owner be willing to pay those luxury taxes next season?

This serious problem is in front of us, and it definitely takes time for the Heat to solve it. Otherwise, the Heat may not be able to maintain enough competitiveness to compete for the championship.

"Mr. Pat, I know that the situation of the Heat is not easy...But as you said, I will soon be 30 years old. I am afraid that I will not have a few years left in my career at this age. Do you want to earn more money at this time to plan after retirement?"

Zhao Feiyang asked back.

His question also made Pat Riley fall into silence.

After a while, Pat Riley responded, "Let's do it! Let's all take a step back. I know it's not easy for you, but I also hope you can understand the team's difficulties...."

"The team still signs you with a three-year contract, $300 million in the first year, $300 million in the second year, $600 million in the third year, a total of 1200 million...Of course, the third year The team options cannot be less...."

Zhao Feiyang did not agree with Pat Riley's idea.

First, he doesn't think he is worth $300 million. Second, can the Big Three play for three years?Can the Heat guarantee championship competitiveness for the past three years?What if the Big Three are disbanded or someone runs away after playing for one or two seasons?

These unknowns are always unpredictable.

More importantly, the condition of the team option is very harsh, completely giving the initiative to the Heat.

There is no shortage of various examples in the league. For example, some players are favored by the team at first, but once they are no longer needed, the team will try to hide him so that he cannot maintain a good competitive state. After not performing well, it is naturally difficult for players to gain a foothold in the league.

At this time, the home team will find a way to discuss with the player and force the player to leave through a buyout.

In this case, many players will give up some money in order to escape this "magic cave" in order to achieve the purpose of leaving smoothly.

Zhao Feiyang didn't want to go to that step.

"Sorry, Mr. Pat, I can't agree with the conditions you put forward...and it's too early to talk about the contract. It's better to wait until after the season! I think we will all have time to sit down and take it easy. Discuss this matter...."

Seeing Zhao Feiyang like this, Pat Riley really couldn't force it.

"All right!"

"Then let's talk about it after the season is over!"

Zhao Feiyang left quickly.

After he left, Pat Riley's smiling face instantly froze, replaced by coldness and displeasure.He sat on the office chair and thought for a long time, then picked up the phone on the table and dialed a series of numbers.

"Hey!"

"Eric, this is Pat! Are you still on the team? I need you to stop by my office...I have something very important to discuss with you...."

"Yeah! Whatever you're doing...Come right here..."