The Godfather of Basketball

When Tang Tian arrived in Houston, it was sunny.

This sunny day is different from that of Yi Jianlian's hand-feeling barometer. It is really a heat wave that makes people sweat profusely.

Fortunately, Thibodeau knew he was back and drove directly to the airport to pick him up.

On the way back to the Toyota Center, he took a look at the team's situation.

Since the start of the Olympics, he hasn't had time to communicate with Morey.

The team played well in the summer league. Undrafted pick Anthony Morrow played very well, averaging 4.1 three-pointers per game, and was able to contribute 25+ points, making other teams drool with envy.

He and Jordan played one offense and one defense, helping the Rockets achieve a three-peat summer league championship in Las Vegas.

As for Dragic, because he still has to deal with some club affairs, he hasn't had time to report to the team yet.

When the time came, Thibodeau gave Tang Tian a copy of the current team roster.

Centers: Yao Ming, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, Dan Gadzuric.

After joining Jordan, the center is the most spare position for the Rockets in the new season, and it can even be said to be a bit extravagant.

"Has Gazulic not been traded yet?" Tang Tian was a little surprised when he saw Gazulic's name.

"Yes, Darrell has been worrying about this." Thibodeau followed up.

Tang Tian nodded. The shrewd Morey may have miscalculated this time with a big contract of 6 million yuan per year for three years.

Power Forward: Scola, Landry, Yi Jianlian.

Small Forward: Battier.

Tang Tian was stunned for a moment when he saw this, then turned his head and asked, "I seem to have told Darrell that I signed Matt Barnes, why didn't I?"

"That...Darrell doesn't seem to like him very much."

"Huh? What's going on?" Tang Tian was a little surprised.

"During the private trial training before, Barnes almost got into a fight with someone. It was originally said that he wanted to sign the veteran's basic salary." Thibodeau did not continue talking here.

Tang Tian frowned. He didn't know that such a thing had happened. It seems that leading the Olympic team also made the team miss an important signing.

Shooting guard: McGrady, Pietrus, Anthony Morrow.

Point guard: Billups, Sun Yue, Dragic.

With the addition of Morrow and Dragic, the depth at guard is much better than it was last season.

This list is actually enough. Although the team's power forward strength has declined a lot after Millsap left, other positions have improved. The team still has a good chance of achieving the three consecutive championships of the dynasty.

Arrived at the Toyota Center, discussed some tactical matters with Thibodeau, and then he went to the general manager's office.

Although it is in the offseason, Morey, like his head coach, is basically open all year round.

"Darrell, it's me, Don."

"Come in."

He knocked on the door of the general manager's office, and soon Morey's voice came from inside.

"Don, you're finally back." Morey stood up from his seat, smiled and held out his hand to him.

It is different from running to meet each other when we met last year. Maybe it is because I have been the general manager for a year, and some subtle changes have taken place in my attitude.

Tang Tian didn't care, walked over and shook hands with Mo Lei, and then sat down.

"I heard that you led the Chinese men's basketball team to the third place in the Olympic Games. That is a very remarkable achievement. Congratulations." When Tang Tian sat down, Morey said with a smile.

"It's just luck." Tang Tian smiled and waved his hands.

"I know, you are a humble person, this is the team's current roster, you have been away for a while, take a look first."

As he spoke, Morey handed over a list to Tang Tian.

It is similar to the one given by Thibodeau before, but it is more detailed. Among them, the three newcomers, Jordan Jr., Morrow and Dragic, still have numerical standards for various ability values.

In the 100-point system, Jordan's defense and rebounds reached 81 to 83 respectively, and his free throws were 43.

Except for Morrow's three-point score of 80, the others are all below 60.

This is a very Morey-like list.

On one side of the list are the corresponding salaries of the players.

McGrady's contract this year is the highest, reaching 20.37 million. He signed a 7-year contract with the Magic in 2000, and then renewed a 3-year contract with the Rockets in 2004, which means that the contract will reach 100,000. expires in summer.

Next is Yao Ming's, 15.07 million. As far as his current strength is concerned, he is definitely a representative of high-energy basic salary.

Battier followed with 6.45 million.

Looking at it this way, the team's total salary next season is 72.36 million, which is more than 5 million more than the salary cap.

This is still the case with only 13 people.

Tang Tian put it down after reading it, and continued, "Dan Gadzuric probably doesn't have many chances to play in the team."

This total salary, in fact, the contract without Gadzuric is still below the salary cap. Tang Tian asked this at this time, which is also a tactful way of asking.

"This matter is really a bit of a headache." Morey reached out and pressed his head at this time. Obviously, as Thibodeau said, he has been troubled for a long time.

"Aren't those bad teams willing to take over?" Tang Tian followed up.

"Yes, the key point is that Gadzuric's contract is 3 years, and our first-round value is also limited... Forget it, I will find a way for these things." Morey suddenly interrupted the topic while speaking.

"Maybe you can consider looking for those with chaotic management, such as Magic, Kings or Trail Blazers." Tang Tian suggested.

"Magic, king..." Morey nodded thoughtfully.

Every general manager has his own familiar trading partners. Tang Tian said that he has not been in contact with these two since he took office, so this reminds him.

Although it's not sure that it's going to be bad, it's not impossible to cheat them.

Seeing that Morey's complexion improved a lot, Tang Tian remembered what happened to Barnes, and said with a smile, "By the way, why is there no Matt on this list?"

"Matt?"

"Matt Barnes." Tang Tian reminded.

"Don't mention that guy, he's just a gangster. He's much more aggressive than Pietrus. There must be chaos in the team." Morey said, frowning.

"I have a solution. You see, Pietrus didn't have anything last season." Tang Tian continued with a smile and said that the only strong support available in the market now is Barnes.

"No, don't mention it anymore, I will take a look at the free market first, you just came back, go down and take a rest first."

To Tang Tian's surprise, Morey didn't seem to want to continue this topic.

Tang Tian was stunned for a moment, but since Mo Lei had such an attitude, it seemed really unlikely.

Although it is a pity, it can only be like this for the time being.

Walking out of the general manager's office, Tang Tian looked back at the closed door.

For some reason, he always felt that there was an additional door in his relationship with Morey, just like what he saw in front of him.