Chapter 979 – Building a team
“Feng, why are you giving him 70 million? Sixty million is more than enough. If you spent 70 million USD on this team, you would lose money.” Trump does not understand Feng Yu.
“Maybe not. If the team has a star player, it will still attract fans even if their results are lousy.”
“But this team does not have any.”
“We can sign players from other teams. No players are indispensable as long as the price is right. I am more interested in this year’s draftees. Although the team is in a mess because of Sterling’s management, the contract states that we will not assume the team’s liability. Their management team’s salaries are also very cheap. This is your cheque. Thanks for your help.”
Trump shook his head. Feng Yu could not tell that Sterling was asking for too much, and Clippers is a lousy team? But when he saw the 3.5 million USD cheque, he was happy. Feng Yu had given him an additional 500,000 USD. He had spent two days preparing himself for the negotiation, and the negotiations were less than an hour! This is a good deal.
Feng Yu did not tell Trump about one of the terms in the contract. Sterling must make the NBA agree the name change of LA Clippers to LA Wind and Rain after Feng Yu takes over the team. This is not an easy task.
It is not easy for Sterling to get this 70 million.
A good team requires good players and a head coach. This year, a famous coach’s contract with his team had expired, and he is not going to renew it.
“Mr. Karl, I had watched some of Sonics’ games and is impressed with your coaching. I had reached a deal with Sterling, and he will sell the LA Clippers to me in a month. I would like to invite you to be the new head coach of this team!”
Feng Yu is inviting the head coach of Seattle SuperSonics, George Karl, and he emphasizes on offense-defense balance in his games.
Karl frowned. He had two choices. First, he can renew his contract with Seattle Supersonics, but the Boss of Sonics will not give him a lucrative contract. This is because he had not led the Sonics to greater heights. His second option is to sign with Milwaukee Bucks, but the Boss of Milwaukee Bucks is not a generous person. Now, a third option is laid in from of him.
“Mr. Feng, what are your hopes for this team, and what is your offer?”
Feng Yu knew Karl has some interest in this question. This would be easy. At most, he can just spend a bit more money. Coaches’ salaries are not generally high.
“To be honest, I do not like any of the current players in the team. I want to hoard this year’s draftees or sign players from other teams to build a new team. A young team. I don’t have any requirements for results next year, but I want you to focus on offense. I want an offensive team to attract NBA fans. As for the Draft lottery, I want to pick a North Carolina player, Vince Carter. He is a good player and is a spectacular showman. My offer to you is 16 million USD for a five-year contract. What do you think?”
Feng Yu’s offer is higher than the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boss of Bucks has higher requirements from Karl. In Karl’s heart, he had already decided to sign the contract with the Clippers. But he still has a few questions to clarify.
“Can I ask the team manager to get the players I want? Also, can I pick my assistant coaches?”
“Of course. I feel that the Head coach should have more say than the team manager on the trading of players. You will also have the final say on the coaching team. I don’t mind spending money if you can bring Scottie Pippen to our team.”
Karl stood up and extended a handshake to Feng Yu. “Mr. Feng, I am willing to coach your team.”
……
“What did you say? Feng Yu had met Sterling and completed the deal?! Hahaha… That fool! Did he think because that team is located in LA, he will surely make money? That lousy team will not even get into the playoffs within the next five years!”
Allen was speaking to the Manager of the Blazers about the future of the team. He wants to let the team be champions and does not mind paying the luxury tax. His team must not lose to Feng Yu!
The fastest solution is to bring all the basketball stars to his team. But this is quite hard, and the contracts of the players he wants are still not up.
Luckily, the Blazers are still much better than the Clippers, and Allen is not worried he will be overtaken. He can still flaunt and boast about his team’s results in front of Feng Yu.
“Boss, I heard George Karl had met them, and he might be the head coach of the Clippers in the next season.”
“That team does not have good players, and even Phil Jackson cannot bring that team to the playoffs, let alone Karl. But you are right. We must monitor them closely. If you notice their team is going to buy star players, try to intercept them and bring the players to our team!” Allen said with a cold smile. You want to rebuild your team?! You must see if you agree or not!
“Should I contact the other teams? I know a few team managers, and we are quite close.”
“Ok. Don’t worry. I will not forget what you did for me.” Allen is in a good mood. His team manager has lots of connections, and Feng Yu will lose the bet for sure.
……
“Boss, are we going to let go of everyone on the team? Our team still has a few good players, but they are injured. They can play better in the next season.” The Clippers’ team manager, Elgin Baylor, asked.
“We will only keep one or two experienced players and will try to use new players. Your task now is to hoard the draftees. We must get at least two draftees from the first and second rounds.”
Feng Yu saw another familiar name on the draftees’ list. Rashard Lewis. He felt this player should be included in the first round of the lottery draft.
Elgin Baylor wanted to tell Feng Yu. Boss, if you don’t know about managing a basketball team, stop interfering. Even if you want to use new players, the players must sign with us first. Now, we can only trade for two expensive old players and then get the other players from the drafts.
