NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 136 The drunkard doesn’t care about drinking

After the draft, NBA teams significantly accelerated their operations. Many free agents, though not officially signing, had already reached verbal agreements behind the scenes.

Verbal agreements, also known as "gentlemen's agreements," are highly binding in the NBA and throughout the United States. In the US, the spirit of contract is deeply ingrained in all aspects of citizenship. Although there may be no formal contract, anyone who violates a gentleman's agreement will face widespread condemnation within the industry and severe moral repercussions.

Boozer, the "traitor" of yesteryear, is a prime example.

This year's free agent market is also very lively, with many big names entering the market, which ensures the market's popularity.

The biggest free agent this summer is undoubtedly Dwight Howard, whose contract has expired and he will become a free agent. It is said that the Rockets have now become the frontrunner in the battle for Howard.

Secondly, there's Chris Paul, but he's said to be likely to stay with the Clippers.

Other notable names include Josh Smith, Andre Iguodala, David West, Monta Ellis, and many others.

Jia Fei is a hot commodity in the free agent market, not because of his star power, but because, at only 21 years old, his potential is incredibly enticing. Both his static and dynamic physical attributes are among the best for Asian players. Based on his performance last season, he has the potential to become an elite 3-and-D player. Every team needs a player like him, so his suitability is not an issue.

Jia Fei has not yet agreed to any team's transfer agreement, and the battle for his signature has now reached a fever pitch.

Clearly, the initial offer was no longer sufficient, and the price continued to rise amidst the competition.

Currently, Jia Fei's four potential destinations remain unchanged: the Kings, Raptors, Pistons, and Hawks.

These four teams all have one thing in common: they all have enough salary cap space. Having salary cap space allows them to sign free agents; teams that have exceeded the cap can only sign minimum-guaranteed or non-guaranteed contracts.

These four teams, including the Kings and Pistons, might even fall below the poverty line next season if they don't spend their money; it's gotten to that point...

The Raptors' opponent has the "trash duo" Lowry and DeRozan, but their salaries aren't high. Even if DeRozan re-signs, he's unlikely to earn more than ten million a year. They could easily offer Jia Fei a much more lucrative contract.

The Hawks are in a similar situation. Their only player with a multi-million dollar annual salary is Horford, and if they don't re-sign Teague, they could offer him a super contract of over $2000 million per year.

活塞队的合同已经从4年1600万美元增加到4年2000万美元了；国王队的合同从2年950万美元增加到2年1250万美元了；猛龙队的合同从3年1500万美元提升到3年1800万美元了；老鹰队的合同从4年3000万美元提升到4年3150万美元了。

It's worth mentioning that all four teams offered player options, which shows their sincerity.

In terms of total contract value and average salary, the Hawks have the highest. However, their contracts are for four years, meaning he has to play for at least three years with the team. If he puts up All-Star numbers after only one year, the flexibility of this contract is not as good as the Kings' two-year short-term contracts.

"Jia, why don't you accept the Hawks' offer? We can be teammates!" Art Mayork was also trying to persuade Jia Fei to join the Hawks. He had already reached a verbal agreement with the Hawks for a fully guaranteed two-year, $1.8 million contract (with a team option for the second year).

"Yes, I will seriously consider it!" Jia Fei said.

Jia Fei's agent, Jeff Schwartz, was constantly lobbying the general managers of various teams, putting pressure on them to come up with their final offers. His client, Jia Fei, wasn't limited to just one team, thus creating an atmosphere of competition.

When Art Mayok wasn't around, Kemba Walker looked at Jia Fei meaningfully and said, "The Hawks seem to be really thoughtful. Art's contract is probably because of you!"

Jia Fei just smiled and didn't say anything; this was very likely the case. "Buy one get one free" deals are quite common in the NBA, while this kind of "emotional appeal" is relatively rare, but it does happen.

The Hawks' real intentions weren't what they seemed; the assets they offered weren't much—two years, $1.8 million, which isn't much for a team with ample salary cap space. Even if Jia Fei ultimately didn't go, they only spent that much money. Not to mention, Art Mayork can provide some immediate contributions; they weren't simply using the money for charity.

The Hawks' actions have achieved some effect, and Jia Fei has agreed to a private meeting with their general manager.

On July 1st, the annual NBA free agency market officially opened, and a large number of verbal agreements were announced. As a renowned reporter for Yahoo!, Wojnarowski was practically on a roll, unable to stop talking.

The players that everyone is most concerned about, such as Warcraft 58, have not yet found a new team, and neither has Jia Fei.

On the 1st, Jia Fei drove his Kemba Walker G-Wagon to the New York airport to pick up Sharapova. At the airport exit, despite the presence of many media reporters, Sharapova resolutely threw herself into Jia Fei's arms.

"You must be tired from the flight, go straight to the hotel and rest!" Jia Fei said softly.

"Yes, whatever you say!" Sharapova was exceptionally obedient, as if Jia Fei's words were a sacred decree. Whatever pose he told her to strike, she would do it obediently.

Jia Fei had already booked a hotel for her, and once they arrived at the room, the two couldn't wait to passionately kiss. The saying "A day apart feels like three autumns" and "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is absolutely true.

After the intense match, Sharapova went to take a shower naked; the physical exertion was clearly far greater than that of the game itself. But it was truly a case of being tired yet happy, and the more of that happiness, the better.

After they finished showering, Sharapova leaned against Jia Fei's muscular chest, gently massaging his abs, and murmured, "While I was away, did you fool around with other women?"

Jia Fei sighed inwardly, it seemed that no matter which woman it was, she would ask the same question. It was like a theorem, just like how teenagers get erections in the morning.

"No, I've only been in contact with one woman these past few days!" Jia Fei said calmly, his expression unchanged and his heart not skipping a beat.

"Oh? Who?" Sharapova became interested. She wanted to know which woman Jia Fei had been in contact with.

Jia Fei reached out and touched her hair: "It's a golden retriever from the Kemba family, and it's a girl!"

"Pfft—" Sharapova couldn't help but laugh out loud. This Jia Fei is really annoying. Why does he have to tease her like that!