NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 654 Thinking about a fourth consecutive championship

After winning the championship, Jia Fei rested at home for a few days. A severe cold was raging, and there were many viruses outside. Even with his superhuman physical condition and his precautions against fire, theft, and even his best friend, he might not be able to protect himself from the virus. Viruses are no joke, and he wasn't going to fight them to the death for some so-called freedom. It was best for everyone to keep to themselves and live in peace.

原定于2020年举办的东京奥运会也因为大感冒的肆虐推迟了。2020年7月17日，东京奥组委公布2020年东京奥运会新比赛日程，大会于2021年7月23日至8月8日举行，为期17天，共设33个大项339个小项的比赛，具体比赛日程和比赛场地已全部确定。

As a time traveler, Jia Fei knew about the postponement of the Olympics. He had always felt that if China wanted to host the Olympics, then postponement was inevitable. He valued this Olympics highly, as it would be his first time representing the Chinese men's basketball team. He wanted to perform well and help the team achieve a good result.

Starting in late October, Jia Fei is on vacation, while Logo Man has already started working. The NBA free agency market will open in November, at which time many NBA teams will make major trades, which may have a huge impact on the NBA landscape in the new season.

Without a doubt, for the Clippers, who have already established a dynasty, their only goal for the new season is to win the championship. Apart from the Celtics of yesteryear, no team in the NBA has achieved a four-peat in recent decades. If the Clippers can complete a four-peat, they will make history.

Faced with an opportunity to make history, few could resist. Team leader Jia Fei couldn't, team owner Ballmer couldn't, and head coach Budenholzer couldn't either.

After winning the championship, Jia Fei and Lin Ning officially got together. They tacitly understood each other; although they didn't live together, being together didn't necessarily mean living together.

Zhou Ling'an was the happiest. If Lin Ning and Jia Fei could get married, her role as matchmaker would be secure. With this relationship with Jia Fei, her future status in the media would be unquestionable, much like that of Paul, the top talent agent; reaching the pinnacle of her life would be just around the corner.

As time went by, by the end of October, the man with the logo contacted Jia Fei. His contact with Jia Fei meant that he wanted to plan the off-season operations.

Logo Man deeply respects Jia Fei, not only because of Jia Fei's reputation and relationship with team owner Steve Ballmer, but also because almost all the Clippers' moves under Jia Fei's guidance over the past three years have been correct. The team has achieved great things with minimal investment, avoiding mortgaging its future and paying exorbitant luxury taxes. Instead, it has benefited from rookie bonuses, acquiring future assets. The team's roster is very young, and its championship window is not only not closed, but has the potential to remain open for a long time. This is devastating news for other teams in the league, but a boon for the Clippers. All of this is inseparable from Jia Fei's strategic approach.

The Clippers' roster last season, excluding players on two-way contracts, looked like this:

Inside players: Olynyk, Art Mayork, Hartenstein

Wings: Jia Fei, Paul George, Gallinari, Dillon Bridges, Kyle Anderson, Grant Williams

Guards: Beverley, Brunson, Hart, Bruce Brown, Mann

There are 15 players in total. Paul George, Danilo Gallinari, and Hartenstein's contracts expire this season. Players still on rookie contracts include Dillon, Bridges, Grant Williams, Brunson, Hart, Bruce Brown, and Mann.

With players like Dillon still on rookie contracts next season, the Clippers won't face the pressure of contract renewals, effectively maximizing their rookie advantage. It's worth noting that Dillon, Brunson, and Hart were key members of their playoff rotation, crucial factors in their championship win this season. Their current salary cap is very healthy; their offseason priorities are resolving several expiring contracts, the draft, and potential trades.

“Jay, Danilo’s contract has expired, and we own his bird rights. I’d like to hear your thoughts.” The man with the logo mentioned Gallinari.

Jia Fei knew that Gallinari's contract expired this season. In the summer of 2017, the Clippers acquired Gallinari, who at the time averaged 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 44.7% and a three-point percentage of 38.9%. Gallinari was 29 years old at the time.

Three years have passed, and Gallinari is now 32 years old. He's also experienced injuries this season, leading to a decline in his stats. He's indeed a very good stretch four with a certain ability to punish mismatches. However, his defensive contributions to the team are limited; he can't protect the rim, and he's clearly at a disadvantage when switching on speedy, smaller perimeter players. Considering his age, current form, and future potential, giving him a high-salary, long-term contract would be unwise.

Moreover, Gallinari is not without alternatives. Last season's rookie Grant Williams is also a stretch four. Although he is shorter, he is exceptionally strong and can hold his own against power forwards like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steve Jobs. He is also cheap and young, though a bit inexperienced.

The Clippers don't actually have very high requirements for this position; they just need someone who can create space and whose defense isn't too bad. After all, the ball will mostly be in the hands of Jia Fei and Paul George, so there won't be many opportunities to distribute the ball to the power forward.

Gallinari signed a three-year, $65 million contract with the Clippers back then, and last season his salary exceeded $25 million, which is actually very low in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Last season, the Clippers did consider trading him, given that it was an expiring contract and other teams were interested in acquiring him. However, considering roster stability and preventing the loss of immediate contributors, they ultimately didn't put him on the trading block. Part of the reason the Clippers didn't do so was that their salary cap pressure wasn't too high, and in their pursuit of a championship, they ultimately chose to keep him.

"Renewing the contract isn't out of the question, but it can't be a long-term contract, and the average salary needs to be reduced!" Jia Fei said.

"Danilo's agent offered a 5-year, $1 million contract, with a player option for the 5th year!" the man with the logo said.

Jia Fei smiled and said, "We can't afford this contract. At most, it's three years, and the total salary can't exceed $35 million!" His judgment was that Gallinari should still be able to compete before he turns 35, and with a three-year contract (plus the team option, theoretically only two years), even if his performance declines significantly and he doesn't harm the team, it can be traded as an expiring contract the season after next.