For example, Kassel was traded by the Rockets, and then the Rockets' point guard strength fell into a trough. When he reached the playoff point guard position, he was completely defeated by Payton. However, not many people really felt that it was caused by Kassel's departure, but attributed it to Kenny Smith's old age.

Before last season, the Nets made the playoffs the previous time, and Kassel led the team.

After Kassel left the Nets and before Kidd joined the Nets, the Nets did not enter the playoffs.

People still do not attribute this to the fact that Kassel left the Nets, but think that Marbury is not capable of leading the team and does not consider why Kassel can enter the playoffs when he is there.

After the start of this offseason, people think that Cassel may leave because of the contract, and the main point guard with two consecutive championships, it is inevitable that he will increase his salary.

But they are all discussing where Kassel will go? Can she get an ideal contract?...and so on, but almost no one discusses the impact of Kassel's departure on the Supersonics.

Even people have clearly agreed with Kassel's strength, and even after the finals, someone ranked Kassel in the top five of the active point guards, but this magical situation still occurs...

However, in the eyes of free agents and NBA teams, this is not the case.

Kassel is easily overlooked in some honors, but Kassel's contribution to the Supersonics has seen all teams in the past two years.

Too excellent!

Strong strength, rich experience, willing to pass the ball, big heart, excellent tactical awareness...

Although Kassel will turn 33 at the beginning of the new season, there are still many teams who want to get him.

Teams that can free up the right salary space for championships, or teams that want to make the playoffs, are very interested in Cassel.

For example, Timberwolves coach Philip Sanders strongly suggested that Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale sign Kassel.

Spurs general manager Rc Buford is also suggesting to Spurs vice president and coach Popovich to sign Cassel, so that Cassel will take Arenas, who prefers shooting.

Even the Lakers, Mavericks and other teams have issued sign-and-change offers to the Supersonics...

More teams chose to contact Cassel directly, but after the offseason started, the response from Cassel's agent said that Cassel had traveled to South Africa and his return date was not yet determined.

However, the Supersonics news officer revealed that Kassel came back and asked for a contract directly after listening to the offer from other teams, but the team agreed directly without bargaining.

This statement made Popovich, the vice president of the Spurs who had already prepared a starting salary of 8 million US dollars, just want to scold the streets - go to the free market? Which free market? Is the free trade vegetable market at the east end of South Africa's village?

For free agents, Kassel stayed in the team, and the remaining core lineup of the Supersonics has been stabilized, and the Supersonics has become more attractive.

...

...

"Aix, after hearing that it became even harder for us to bring in stars after the announcement of my contract renewal?"

"It doesn't matter, how difficult it is? The other teams didn't want to give us the stars. Even if we gave us a reward worth more than that star, they were unwilling to do so. They wanted Ben when they opened their mouths, and kept thinking about Ron and Tyson..."

"I want Ben, Ron and Tyson? They are the ones who are trying to attack the dynasty and want to bite us hard!"

"right……"

A few days after Kassel renewed his contract. On July 17, after the fourth phase of the baseline defensive mobile training ended, Zhang Hao took a day off and continued to discuss with the team about signings this summer.

Since Kassel has returned to Seattle, he has reached an intention to renew his contract and was called by the coaching staff to discuss and discuss.

This time there was a meeting between the management and coaching staff. It was not because Zhang Hao had a break today, but a big deal happened yesterday - the Lakers and the Bucks completed the deal, and the Lakers sent Payton, Mark Madson, the 2003 first-round draft pick, got Ray Allen from the Bucks!

Although the Bucks rejected the Supersonics' offer, they continued to negotiate and pull.

As a result, the Bucks suddenly completed a deal with the Lakers.

There have been rumors about Ray Allen being sent away by the Bucks.

Ray Allen thinks the Bucks' upper limit is so high, and the Bucks also thinks that the upper limit of Ray Allen's leading team is so high. It's a matter of time before the two get tired of each other's eyes, and it's only a matter of time before they get separated.

But for this little chip, the Bucks sent Ray Allen to the Lakers...

It’s not that Payton is bad, but that Payton is too old and the new season is the last year of the contract.

In other words, the Bucks have made up their minds to straighten Reed.

Many people from the outside world don’t understand that the Bucks assisted the Lakers and replaced veteran point guards at their peak. After all, the Bucks still have a Kenny Anderson who has a higher salary of US$14 million per year.

But the Supersonics knew that the Bucks, like them, had seen Reed's talent.

If it was the summer of 2000, their Supersonics would have to sacrifice their money and smash Reed with a maximum salary of 4-5 years. The Bucks could not keep people. The second round pick only signed a rookie contract for two years. If they really played, they would not be able to keep people if they had no space.

But now they have to consider the emotions of other players, and consider how Reed should take care of himself if he really gets the maximum salary or the salary second only to Zhang Hao.

Not everyone is called Jason Williams.

Times are different, and the team's ideas for signing players must be different.

Today's team meeting included an additional management staff member - Michael Jordan.

Jordan and Howard Schultz are already in the process of transferring shares. According to Zhang Hao, the offer Howard Schultz gave Jordan is cheaper than the "market value" assessed by the media, and 5% of the Supersonics team shares were transferred for US$30 million.

In the investment in the new stadium, Jordan will increase investment and ultimately ensure that he occupies 20% of the new stadium and becomes the second largest individual shareholder of the Supersonics.

After the meeting began, Larry Harris explained the current situation.

There are no All-Star free agents in terms of back-range scorers this summer.

In terms of trading, other teams are asking Artest and Chandler, or Ben Wallace.

After Larry Harris analyzed the current situation, Jordan took the lead: "I think we don't have to find someone to replace me after I retire. We can try to tap potential from the inside, such as Ron and Tony, who have strong scoring potential."

Everyone agrees with what Jordan said.

This is also the reason why their signings on the stars this summer is quite difficult but everyone is not in a hurry.

Howard Schultz took over the conversation: "Michael's opinion is very good, but if we have the opportunity, we still have to pursue those stars who are sure to contribute immediately. We are the defending champions, the defending champions for two consecutive championships, which is different from other championship teams."

Doug Collins also said: "Yes, if we can find a player with similar playing characteristics to Michael, even if we are not as good as Michael, our previous playing system will not be greatly affected."

Jordan nodded when he heard this, he understood this truth.

Although there is no hurry, the overall atmosphere in the conference room is a bit worrying...

Zhang Hao said, "I have a candidate."

Howard Schultz, the management and coaching staff, all eyes lit up, Howard Schultz asked: "Who?"

This reaction surprised Jordan...

Zhang Hao replied: "Spreville, I think the Knicks shouldn't want too much..."

"no!"

Before Zhang Hao finished speaking, everyone in the coaching staff unanimously opposed it.

When all the coaches heard this name, they felt their necks were cold.

Larry Harris quickly said: "I received a transaction application early this morning. The Pacers want to exchange Jaylen Rose for Ron or Andre."

As soon as Larry Harris said this, the Supersonics management and coaching staff were surprised. Is it going to dawn?

But soon, they realized that Larry Harris and his boss Howard Schultz did not inform them of the reason for applying for the deal immediately - Jaylen Ross is easy to use in the regular season, but not easy to use in the playoffs.

There is also the 7-year, $90 million contract, which will expire in 2007, and Jaylen Ross will turn 30 in January next year.

Last year's regular season, Jaylen Ross averaged 23 points per game, but only averaged 12.2 points in the first round, so Reggie Miller has to go to C.

Zhang Hao asked: "Does Big Bird want our people?"

Larry Harris responded: "Yes."

"Will they give us Miller? If so, Andre and Tyson can give them all together."

What do you think! Larry Harris responded: "Byder said that except for Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal, everyone else can choose whatever they want."

"So, then reject him."

"OK."

Jordan's question mark - is this rejected?

The star of the head refused just by saying a word?

Howard Schultz, the big boss, actually nodded!

Just then, someone's cell phone rang.

It's Zhang Hao.

Zhang Hao said sorry and went out to answer the phone.

When Zhang Hao came back, the people in the conference room were obviously happy to see Zhang Hao.

"I have a former teammate who wants to join us and no longer has to consider the star problem of shooting guard position."

"Oh? Who?" Howard Schultz was excited.

What a surprise! He has planned to tap potential from the inside.

Moreover, the offseason is still long, so you can slowly go to quotes and communicate well, but maybe it will be done?

Anyway, there is a way out, Artest's talent can be seen with the naked eye.

"Brent Barry."

On July 20, 2002, the Supersonics officially announced that the contract with veteran Brent Barry for a two-year contract of $10.5 million was signed.

This news marks that the Supersonics abandoned their intention to introduce top stars in the shooting guard position, which made other championship-level teams relieved.
To be continued...