NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 344 The Off-Season Has Begun Ahead of Schedule

Just two days after the Hawks were eliminated, the team's management invited Jia Fei for a detailed discussion.

The content is not complicated, in fact, it's quite simple; it's just about his contract renewal.

It was obvious to Jia Fei that he would opt out of his contract. The four-year, $33 million contract he signed three years ago now seems like a complete "child labor contract." Of course, it wasn't like that at the time, but from the end of his first season, the contract became a thoroughly child labor contract.

Coincidentally, Stephen Curry, the star player of the Western Conference-leading Warriors, also signed a child labor contract and is still under contract.

Reports suggest the salary cap will surge after this season, meaning Jia Fei, as a star eligible for the Rose Rule, could sign a maximum contract with a starting salary of 35% of the salary cap. Even if the salary cap remains unchanged, he has no reason to exercise the fourth year of his previous contract.

The Hawks are willing to offer a 5-year maximum contract, but they want to include some clauses in the contract.

Jia Fei initially didn't understand what they were referring to, but after the management explained, he learned that the team wanted to include a clause regarding game attendance. If he played less than 70 games in a season, he wouldn't receive his full salary for that season. His salary would consist of bonuses and a base salary, with bonuses only awarded if the attendance requirement was met. Also, the team requested that the final year be a team option, not a player option.

This contract left Jia Fei both amused and exasperated. He'd only missed a whole season due to injury, and the world had already changed? They were so distrustful of him? Why should he sign with them?

The Hawks' management promised to strengthen the team during the offseason and to try to retain Horford.

Jia Fei thought this was utter nonsense. If they really wanted to strengthen the team, they had such a great opportunity last summer, but they didn't make a single move! Now they're talking about strengthening the team, it's more like empty promises.

"Work hard, and I'll find you a sister-in-law next year!"

What left Jia Fei speechless was yet to come: the Hawks' management wanted Art Mayork to exercise his final year contract so that they could make better moves.

What do you think?

The first round of negotiations between Jia Fei and the team ended in failure...

This is bound to break down. If Jia Fei accepts this humiliating contract, he won't need to leave the house anymore; it's too stifling.

Even if none of the other 29 teams offer him a maximum contract, Jia Fei won't accept such a deal. Even if he only gets a minimum salary next season, he won't go bankrupt. He's not Allen Iverson; he doesn't spend money recklessly, doesn't have many brothers to support, and isn't a big spender.

The six-year, $120 million endorsement deal he signed with Nike two years ago is enough for him to live on for several lifetimes...

For him, having more money is just a number. He doesn't spend much money normally and even rents a place to live, which most people wouldn't believe.

He wasn't fighting for the millions of dollars; he was fighting for pride. Just a season ago, he was only 23, a double MVP, leading his team to the championship, and enjoying unparalleled success. Who could have imagined that a season later, his former team would ask for a contract extension with additional conditions, not even giving him a player option?

"The Hawks don't want to renew my contract, do they?! This is so unfair!" Art Mayork was furious. "If you don't renew, I won't either!"

Jia Fei smiled slightly: "Art, good brother. Don't worry, I don't believe my market value is really that bad. Let me opt out of my contract and test the waters in the free market!"

Meanwhile, the NBA playoffs are still in full swing.

Jia Fei's old friend Kemba Walker's Hornets defeated the Celtics in Game 7 of the first round, and then faced the Cavaliers who eliminated the Hawks in the second round.

During a video call with Jia Fei and the others, Kemba Walker earnestly declared, "Watch me take care of LeBron, that Running Man guy!"

Jia Fei and Art Mayor said in all seriousness, "It's up to you, Elvis!"

"Not Elvis, I'm the Queen Bee now!" Kemba Walker quickly corrected.

“It’s Elvis! LeBron is a mouse who loves to run away, so you, as Elvis, catch him! Mice aren’t afraid of wasps, they’re afraid of cats!” Jia Fei explained seriously, while Art Mayork, standing to the side, kept saying “uh-huh” like a straight man in a crosstalk performance, and even nodded.

Kemba Walker nearly smashed his computer in frustration. He thought "Queen Bee" sounded better than "Elvis." "Elvis" was already taken, and as for "Queen Bee," 58 was already on the sinking ship, and Anthony Davis couldn't be "Queen Bee" anymore; New Orleans had become a metropolis. If Davis wanted to be, it would be "Bird King"—was that any good?

PS: Anthony Davis: "Why are you all looking at me? I didn't say anything!"

Whether it's Elvis or the Queen Bee, Kemba Walker's Hornets still couldn't defeat LeBron James' Cavaliers, 1:4, not a sweep, and slightly better than the Hawks.

Finally, after waiting for more than ten days, Kemba Walker and Lamb joined Jia Fei and his fishing buddies.

"Are you still debating between the Queen Bee and the Elvis?" Art Mayor asked Kemba Walker in a serious tone.

"Of course I care! I'm warning you, Art, don't call me Elvis anymore, or I'll really get angry!" Kemba Walker pretended to be angry.

Jia Fei, who was standing to the side, was laughing.

"What are you laughing at, Jia? What's so funny?" Kemba Walker lashed out at Jia Fei.

"Stop arguing! The fish has taken the bait. Can you please stop worrying about this? I used a lot of fish feed to bait this spot, and your arguing will only drive the fish away!" Jia Fei couldn't help but complain.

“You…” Kemba Walker was immediately speechless.

“I’ll treat you to a massage tonight!” Art Mayork said.

"I won't touch it!" Kemba Walker said proudly.

Jia Fei smiled as he looked at the water. Was this kind of life a bit of a waste of time? Of course not. Fishing was a very interesting thing. It wasn't just about shooting; fishing was also very interesting.

Jia Fei hasn't fully recovered, but he's not in a hurry. The Hawks, on the other hand, are a bit anxious; they're worried that if they don't talk to him in advance, the competition will intensify once the offseason officially begins.

The Hawks are under a lot of pressure. They're not very competitive in the free agent market because if they re-sign Jafi and Horford, they won't have much cap space to sign another star. Horford is also negotiating a new contract, and he seems unhappy with the offer the team gave him…

If Jafi, Horford, and Art Mayok all leave, the Hawks' strength will be greatly reduced. Even if they bring in other players, they shouldn't expect to contend for the championship; making the playoffs would be a blessing.

Just like in the previous life, the Raptors and Cavaliers will meet in the conference finals in the East, while the Warriors and Thunder will face off in the West.

Jia Fei isn't concerned about the playoffs or the championship; he's thinking about his future. Where will he go if he leaves the Hawks?