Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

After the draft, the Bucks wanted to smoothly move into contract renewal discussions with Yu Fei.

But Yu Fei's team did not immediately show any intention to start negotiations.

Moreover, this was not Yu Fei's initial opinion.

When Yu Fei learned that the team wanted to discuss a contract renewal, he had agreed, but his agent Arne Trem opposed it, saying, "Now is not the time for renewal."

Yu Fei looked at him, puzzled, "When is the right time?"

"Senator Kohl has been wanting to sell the team since last year, but he has not taken any action. Do you know why?" Trem seemed to understand his boss better than Yu Fei did.

Yu Fei silently watched his agent.

"Because you doubled the Bucks' market value within two years, and, while generating significant profits, the team had only paid an insignificant amount in luxury taxes to achieve back-to-back championships." Trem spoke softly, "The senator is a politician, the kind that only cares about results. If he can make money while watching the team's value soar and elevate his reputation, increasing his constituents' confidence in him without spending much, do you think he would sell the team?"

Yu Fei knew this even without Trem saying it.

What he didn't know was, "What does this have to do with my contract renewal?"

Trem said, "Apart from winning championships, nothing else concerns you. For you, Milwaukee is not the best place to land. I think you've heard enough about that from the folks at Reebok."

Yu Fei nodded, unable to deny it, as the Reebok executives did indeed hope he would leave Milwaukee.

He understood the reasoning, but even if he didn't want to leave, and even if he did, it was out of his control.

His rookie contract was not yet over, and once it was, the Bucks could still keep him within the rules, unless he made a trade request outright. But why would he do that?

Trem immediately said, "Since all this so-called profit and increase in team value have nothing to do with you, you shouldn't care about these things. What you really need to care about is whether the senator is willing to continue investing."

This was getting interesting...

Yu Fei asked, "Are you saying that winning back-to-back championships with such a small price might make him think he can keep a championship-contending team without spending much?"

"That's just one aspect. Even if the Bucks do not win another championship, he wouldn't lose anything because with you on board, the Bucks can still stay in the top tier. That's enough for him."

Trem was very clear.

Although everything was good for him at the Bucks, this was all predicated on the Bucks remaining contenders. If the Bucks could no longer contend, for Yu Fei and those behind him, the return on investment for playing there was too low.

So instead of renewing now, locking him and the Bucks together for the next few years, and then praying the owner was generous and willing to invest more for a dynasty, it was better to wait and see the team's next moves.

Yu Fei approved of his team's tactics, and his contract renewal with the Bucks was delayed.

There were 14 days left before the start of free agency, but ambitious GMs would get everything sorted before signing day.

Hence, verbal agreements were very important.

Once a verbal agreement was reached, it meant that the deal was as good as done.

Those who broke verbal agreements were often despised, and that year, the NBA had an explosive breach of contract that would go down in history.

A few days later, Yu Fei, who was on vacation, suddenly received a call from his little brother.

"Big Fei, I've got a situation here."

At that moment, LeBron James, who was training with the Dream Team for the Athens Olympics, called his Brother Yu's home.

"Did Larry Brown bully you?" Yu Fei said, "That's outrageous! Beat that son of a bitch to death!"

James explained, "No, it's Cleveland. There's an issue with Cleveland."

Yu Fei couldn't help but inquire, "What issue with Cleveland?"

"You know, this is Carlos Boozer's third year."

Yu Fei listened patiently; "Yeah, what about it?"

"I don't know what exactly happened, but the management suddenly says they want to waive his team option and sign a long-term contract with him using the mid-level exception."

Yu Fei was astounded.

All he knew was that if the Bucks suddenly pulled that on him, those behind him would persuade him to betray and leave Milwaukee no matter what.

What a joke, the players under rookie contracts were already locked down by the team, and Boozer still had a year of his rookie contract left, but the Cavaliers gave it up themselves to lock him down long-term with a mid-level contract?

"If that's the case..." Although Yu Fei also felt Boozer was likely to flee, he still comforted his brother, "He must have reached an agreement with your management."

"Maybe."

James hung up the phone, full of worries.

The development of the situation was not beyond the expectations of Yu Fei and LeBron James.

Boozer was a second-round pick in 2002 and had signed a three-year contract with the Cavaliers. He now only had one year left, and he had already proven his worth with an average of 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in the recently concluded season. It was clear he would be a valuable sidekick for James in the future.

However, Boozer was dissatisfied with his salary and personally approached team owner Gordon Gund to express his insecurities.

It should be noted that Gund had been blind for many years, so he relied heavily on his ears. Perhaps it was Boozer's tearful appeal that day that managed to convince Gund that after the team declined the option, he would sign a mid-level contract and return.

In any case, they reached a verbal agreement, and the Cavaliers announced their decision to decline Boozer's team option, making him an unrestricted free agent, and then offered him a six-year, $40 million contract renewal.

Boozer instantly rejected this contract and turned around to catch a six-year, $68 million offer from the Jazz.

Moreover, Boozer skillfully exploited a loophole here.

Because Boozer had only been with the Cavaliers for two years, the team couldn't ignore the salary cap and forcibly match the contract. If the Cavaliers wanted to match it, they needed to clear space within 15 days, but in the end, they gave up.

This was the legend of Boozer in the summer of 2004, where he spun a kind-hearted blind tycoon around in circles, securing an additional $28 million in income (before taxes) for himself over the next six years.

James, who was playing in warm-up matches at the time, said with a feeling akin to eating shit, "I believe Carlos made the best decision for his family..."

Boozer single-handedly coined the term "Pull a Boozer" and set a precedent for Elton Brand in 2007, Tskitishvili in 2009, Kidd in 2012, DeAndre Jordan in 2015, and Marcus Morris in 2019.

After Boozer's situation was settled, Yu Fei sent a message to James expressing his regret.

Now, Yu Fei was convinced that the saying "God hates Cleveland" was indeed true.

Just when they finally had LeBron James, a once-in-a-generation talent, Boozer, his talented "twin brother," had left home.

How could he possibly reverse Cleveland's sporting curse with the remaining bunch of vermin left on the team?

James's unfortunate summer was just beginning, and it wouldn't be long before he would lament Brother Yu's foresight.

A few days after resting, Yu Fei also started making calls to help recruit players for the team.

Mason retired, Shandon Anderson was selected in the expansion draft, but the Bucks, having lost two contracts, didn't have much cap space. Thus, they were unable to make a splash in the frenzied free market this summer.

The Bucks didn't lack attractiveness—the foundation of two consecutive championships was there, making them an excellent destination for veterans seeking a title.

The Lakers were preparing to trade Shaquille O'Neal, and Payton, who had chosen to cling to Shaq last year, was now full of regret for rejecting the Bucks and hence hoped for a chance to correct his mistake.

George Karl was quite willing to see Payton join the team.

But Yu Fei refused to team up with Payton.

Because the man had already rejected him last year, and he had proven during his time with the Lakers that he was not a disciplined veteran. As a point guard, he liked to hold the ball and wasn't accurate from long range. If used like Fisher, it would repeat the Lakers' mistakes.

Compared to Payton, Yu Fei was more concerned about another free agent.

His name was Brent Barry, the son of the great Rick Barry. Unlike his prematurely bald brother Jon Barry, Brent had inherited more of Rick Barry's talent and shooting touch.

Yu Fei wasn't familiar with the "white men can also fly" craze that Brent had brought in the mid-to-late 90s. He was interested in the current Brent, a 198 cm swingman with good passing, organization, and vision. Most importantly, Brent had managed to rank second in the league with a 43% three-point shooting percentage last season.

Players like Brent were the role players needed by strong teams, and thus the Bucks were not the only ones pursuing him.

In the end, the reputation of the Bucks with two consecutive championships gave them an edge in the recruitment battle.

Brent was entering the later stages of his career, and he valued championship opportunities over team status.

Therefore, the Bucks stood out and successfully acquired Brent Barry, reaching a four-year, $20 million mid-level contract with him.

Just when Yu Fei was happy about successfully signing Barry for the team, the New York Knicks made a high-profile offer of a six-year, $40 million contract to Quentin Richardson.

Teacher Q's rookie contract had ended, but he was a restricted free agent. As long as the price wasn't outrageous, the Bucks could ignore the salary cap and forcibly match it. Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire

Six-years for $40 million was actually a mid-level price; for someone with the skills of Teacher Q, it was a bit of an overvalue. However, for the Bucks, Teacher Q's immediate impact was a rarity. To maintain their competitiveness, it was a cost they had to pay.

Just when Yu Fei had stopped caring about this matter, ESPN's WOJ suddenly reported, "Due to salary structure considerations, the Milwaukee Bucks will not match the six-year, $40 million contract offer for Quentin Richardson."

Yu Fei watched the TV in silence.

"Frye, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing Yu Fei deep in thought, Christina asked softly.

"It's nothing," Yu Fei gently brushed Christina's shoulder, his hand traveling downward, "I just suddenly feel that only the people by my side are genuinely considering me."

All other sweet nothings, those so-called everlasting promises, are but fleeting clouds.

Believe them, and you've lost.