So, after thinking hard, Leinsdorf still wanted to keep Jordan.

Because, Jordan is the box office guarantee for the Bulls.

However, there is no need to repeat how much Jordan valued Pippen in the last three consecutive years.

Jordan, who knew that he could not level the league by himself, disliked Pippen in the first three companies, and how tolerated he was to Pippen in the second three companies.

In this way, at the end of June, before the free agent market opened, Jordan went to New York.

There, he played golf with some old friends, and even rumored to have a friendly meeting with Knicks boss Dolan.

For a moment, New Yorkers went crazy.

Although being blacked by Su Feng has caused Jordan's current divine character to have the stain of "You've been beaten by Cyrus", the Knicks fans cannot refuse Jordan's temptation.

Many Knicks fans have even made up the scene of Jordan playing in the Knicks uniform.

Leinsdorf began to get anxious.

Next, on July 1, after the NBA free agent market officially opened, Jordan went to Portland.

There, he played another golf with some old friends, and similar to his previous years in New York, he was rumored to have a friendly meeting with the Trail Blazers boss Paul Allen this time.

Now, it's the turn of Tear City to boil.

My God, will we get Michael Jordan?

On the plane back to Chicago with his agent Falk, Falk looked at Jordan curiously and asked, "Michael...

I really don't understand you. Since you want to leave Chicago, why don't you really meet Paul or James?

You know, you are a free agent now.”

Looking at Falke, Jordan patted his shoulder, "David...because I don't want to leave Chicago."

"Although Jerry said that to me last year, I still don't want to leave Chicago." After a pause, Jordan added.

Falk, who has a tacit understanding with Jordan, knows that Jordan is talking about what Leinsdorf said after he renewed his contract with the Bulls at a sky-high price last year:

"I think I will regret it in the future."

In his previous life, why did Leinsdorf, who spent 30 million to renew his contract with Jordan, say such a sentence after renewing his contract with Jordan has always been a mystery...

Some people say that this is Jordan deliberately exaggerating Ryansdorf's rhetoric so that fans can sympathize with him;

Some people also say that judging from the prices of that era, even if the Bulls won the championship, Leinsdorf actually didn't make much money.

In short, no matter how ugly Ryansdorf's words are, now he must meet Jordan.

Because, angry Bulls fans have begun to threaten the team's contract renewal with Jordan as soon as possible by resisting buying the team's tickets for next season.

In addition, when the Bulls' market value was greatly impacted, Leinsdorf realized that even if he did not win the championship, Jordan was still Jordan.

Renewing Jordan may not be too profitable, but at least it won’t lose, right?

...

In this way, on the 2nd, Jordan completed this negotiation that would have been a summer slut by traveling.

It is worth mentioning that in this life, without defending his title, Jordan agreed to make concessions on his salary rather than raises.

If you know this Bulls' history, then you know...

This summer before the 97/98 season started, the "old gangster" deserves the title of "god" regardless of the court.

"I can agree to a 25 million year-on-year contract extension...but you must assure Scottie that you will give him some compensation after we win the championship next season."

To be honest, Jordan is indeed not a good boss, but you can't deny that he is a good player.

Jordan needed Pippen, and he saw Pippen's growing jealousy through the emotional intelligence that God had lent him.

In Su Feng's previous life, it was Jordan who laid the foreshadowing of vetoing Pippen for McGrady in advance that he made Pippen come back to play after taking revenge on the management.

Even if he is abandoned by the whole world, as long as Jordan gives him respect, Pippen is still willing to fight side by side with Jordan.

But now, the situation is a little different.

When Jordan learned from other teammates that Pippen did not treat his damn foot injury after the season, Jordan knew that he needed to take action.

In Su Feng's previous life, Pippen's left foot injury originally worsened in the playoffs, and then it exploded completely after Xia Tian's death.

In this life, he faces external threats. Jordan knows very well that only by unifying the internal ones can he resolve external threats.

Simply put, it is...

If you say, look at Su Feng in harmony, then Bull Harmony...

Also Lai Sufeng.

History is always so surprisingly similar.

But the details are beyond recognition.

Ryansdorf and Jerry Klaus looked at Jordan's determined attitude and finally surrendered.

because......

The Bulls need no matter what the future is. Once Jordan joins the Knicks or the Trail Blazers next season, they will surely become sinners for the ages.

And by then, even if you want to sell the team, Leinsdorf may not be able to sell it at a high price.

"What about Dennis? I don't think it's a good idea to stay him." Jerry Klaus said looking at Jordan.

After a long sigh, Jordan said to Klaus: "I will convince him."

"I won't offer him a price that's too high," Jerry Klaus added.

"Then give him one, you and him can accept the price." Jordan said.

Klaus nodded, and at this time, Leinsdorf added:

"Phil's agent asked us for an annual salary of 4 million...the price is really too high."

"I will not sign the contract renewal until your negotiations with Phil end."

Concessions where it should be made, and in a way that should not be made, and after simply expressing his position, Jordan ended the negotiations with Ryansdorf and Klaus.

And after two days of thinking, Leinsdorf compromised.

In Su Feng's previous life, the annual salary of "Zen Master" will reach 6 million US dollars next season.

In an era when most famous coaches could only get an annual salary of 1 million yuan, Jackson's asking price was undoubtedly a sky-high price.

However, in this life, without defending his title, the "Zen Master" finally reached a one-year contract renewal agreement with the Bulls for $4 million.

The reason Jackson chose to stay was simple, because in his opinion, the possibility of continuing to win the championship with Jordan is higher.

In Su Feng's previous life, after the end of the 1997/98 season, the "Zen Master" would rest at home for a year before coming out to pick the Lakers' peaches.

However, before Jordan retires, don't doubt Jackson's love for Jordan.

After all, only by being a Jordan leg pendant can you know how thick Jordan’s thighs are.

After solving the "Zen Master", Jordan on Rodman was not worried.

Although Rodman rejected the Bulls' offer to renew the contract for $2.5 million for one year, Jordan knew that Rodman could not go anywhere else.

Rodman, who is already 36, obviously overestimated his own value. Su Feng's previous life, when he reached two consecutive championships, reasoningly, the Bulls' original offer to Rodman was relatively high.

Because in the future, after winning the third championship, Rodman will find that there are not many teams willing to give him to $1 million in this league.

So, Jordan knew Rodman would definitely be back.

In Jordan's view, Rodman's character is also the kind of person who refuses to admit defeat and admits his mistakes.

Other teams will more or less care about Rodman's character and his bad past, but Jordan knows that if he wants to win the championship, the Bulls need Rodman.

Similarly, Rodman also needs the Bulls.

Although Rodman will definitely offend Stern, Jordan, who is familiar with Stern's routine, is very clear about...

He was already so miserable at this time, and the little Jewish old man would not target him anymore.

So, what Jordan really needs to solve...

It is his deputy who is already weaker than Su Feng and Hill in the world.

"Scotty...I have agreed to renew my contract with the team." Jordan called Pippen and said that day.

"Really?" After hearing the news, Pippen, who was on vacation, felt much more at ease. After all, he had experienced Jordan's first retirement. He knew that if Jordan left, the Bulls would definitely turn into a stagnant pool.

"Also, this time, I agree to a salary cut." Jordan added on the phone.

"Salary cut?" Pippen couldn't believe that for someone like Jordan, he would actually agree to a salary cut?

"Well... because I asked the boss if I agree to the salary cut, will they make up for you after winning the championship next season...

I'm very happy, they agreed."

Perhaps the path Pippen has walked the most in his life is Jordan's routine.

Of course, Jordan could not agree to a salary cut for no reason.

Therefore, even if you have a salary cut, you have to find a way to kill two birds with one stone.
To be continued...