July 8th.
Zhang Yang, a reporter from the Sports Channel stationed in the United States, got up early and rushed to the Staples Center with his camera.
He had received news that today, the Laker would officially sign this year's rookie.
As the high-profile team in the country, Zhang Yang couldn't miss such news.
By the time they arrived at the Staples Center, there were already many reporters at the scene.
Zhang Yang also found a familiar face in the crowd.
For example, Lu Guanghao, a special reporter for Titan Sports, Huang Jingyu, a reporter for basketball magazines, and so on.
Since they had met from the same hometown thousands of miles away, and they had seen each other quite often when they were reporting for competitions, they automatically gathered together to chat.
Guanghao Lu said," I just walked around. The signing ceremony for the Laker seems to be very mysterious this time. There hasn't been any news." You said that you would only sign three rookies. What's there to hide? It's just that kind of contract. Who doesn't know?”
Lu Guanghao had asked around just now, but there was no news.
It was as if there was some secret or something shameful.
Zhang Yang was fiddling with his camera and said,"Why do you care what he's hiding? We'll know everything soon.”
When it was nine o'clock, many reporters began to enter the venue.
In the press conference center of the Staples Center, the scene had been set up.
After the reporters were seated, the press officer of the Los Angeles Clippers appeared and hosted the signing ceremony.
Also present were the general manager of the Laker, Mickey Kupchak, and the head coach, Phil Jackson. The boss, Jerry Buss, was not present, but his son, Jim Buss, was present as his father's representative.
Zhang Yang, who was among the many reporters, said in surprise,"What a big deal. Even Jim Bath is here.”
Lu Guanghao, who was next to him, said," It should be for Bynum. He's the No.10 pick, known as the Little Shark. The Los Angeles Clippers sent off O'Neal and suffered a crushing defeat last season. What they lack the most now is a strong center. It's normal to pay some attention to Bynum."”
On the podium, Kupchak made a speech and then invited the signing players to the stage.
A group of people walked over from the passageway.
"Why four?"
Many reporters were stunned. Didn't the Laker team choose three rookies? Why were there four?
Zhang Yang, Lu Guanghao, and the others widened their eyes instantly.
They actually saw a slightly immature Asian face.
"What's going on?" Lu Guanghao's eyes widened, and his face was filled with confusion.
Zhang Yang and the others had the same expression on their faces. Where did this Easterner come from?
Chen Fang and the other three appeared and then sat down.
Chen Fang was wearing a decent suit today, looking very formal.
On the other hand, the three guys next to him were all wearing casual clothes, making Chen Fang a little different, but he did not have time to change in a hurry.
Kupchak was very satisfied with the surprise of the reporters when they saw Chen Fang. This was the effect he wanted.
When Chen Fang asked for four million dollars a year, Jerry Bass didn't agree at first, and Kupchak didn't agree either. After all, it was too expensive. Bynum from the 10th show only offered a little, less than two million dollars.
However, Jackson wanted to sign Chen Fang, and his attitude was very firm.
Later, Jackson came up with another reason, which was that Chen Fang was from Dragon Country. If they signed Chen Fang, it would be like the Rockets choosing Yao Ming two years ago. They could also gain the huge Dragon Country market behind Chen Fang.
The money given by Chen Fang could still be earned back in the Dragon Country.
This convinced Jerry Buss and Kupchak to agree to a $3.5 million contract.
This was the reason why the signing ceremony was kept a secret.
Just think about it. It was as if the Laker team was out of their minds. They had signed Chen Fang, a high school student who had not even participated in the draft, from the Dragon Country. How much attention and explosive news would it cause?
Kupchak pointed at Chen Fang and said,""Before the three rookies sign, I would like to introduce a player to you. It's him, Chen Fang from the Dragon Country.”
Chen Fang stood up and waved at the reporters.
"From our country?" Zhang Yang's brain was buzzing.
When did someone from the Dragon Country enter the NBA again? Moreover, it was so quiet that no news was revealed at all.
"I'm crazy. Chen Fang, his name is Chen Fang. Who is he?”
Lu Guanghao grabbed his hair anxiously.
The few colleagues beside him were all dumbfounded. No one had heard of Chen Fang's name.
Logically speaking, to be able to enter the NBA, the most basic thing was basketball skills. Ordinary skills were not enough. One had to be at the top of the top.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that they were all the top players in their respective countries. They were the ones who dominated their respective leagues and were invincible.
Just like Yao Ming, he could not find an opponent in the entire Dragon Country, so he went to the NBA to play.
However, Chen Fang, who was unknown and had never been heard of, could actually sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. This was too mysterious.
On the stage, Kupchak continued,""Chen is a very good center forward. He is only 18 years old and has unlimited potential.”
The moment he said that, all the reporters at the scene exploded.
Just now, everyone thought that Chen Fang looked very young. They did not expect him to be so young. He was only eighteen years old.
Eighteen years old, isn't that just a high school student!
Many American reporters subconsciously wanted to get up, their faces full of anxiety. They wanted to ask Kupchak if he was out of his mind to sign a high school student from the Dragon Country.
Zhang Yang and the others were even more dumbfounded.
"High school student?"
Zhang Yang was so shocked that his eyeballs were about to pop out. What the hell? A high school student could directly sign a contract with the NBA?
When did the high school basketball standards of the Dragon Country become so high?
The reporters were excited, and Kupchak was even more excited. He felt that there was no need to wait until tomorrow. After the signing ceremony, the entire US would be on the news that they had signed Chen Fang.
Kupchak continued," Chen Fang is a very good center. His physical condition is excellent. Phil has high hopes for him.”
His words actually attracted the boos of the reporters.
You're probably lying through your teeth.
He was so fat that his suit almost couldn't fit, and he had a small belly. Are you sure this is called outstanding?
Kupchak didn't care about this and continued,""After discussion, we have decided to sign a full four-year guaranteed contract with Chen. The last year is an option for the team. The total amount of the contract is 14 million US dollars, and each year is 3.5 million US dollars.”
"In the future, Chen Fang will wear number 14 and fight for the Los Angeles Clippers.”
The reporters below the stage could no longer hear what he said. Their minds were blank, and their ears were buzzing.
It was a four-year contract with a total sum of 14 million US dollars, and it was a fully guaranteed contract.
When all the reporters heard the contents of the contract, the only thought in their minds was that the Laker had gone crazy.
An unknown player actually dared to give an annual salary of 3.5 million.
How much did you pay for the rookie who was selected as the 10th pick in the first round?
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]