The draft is just a warm-up, and the real show is the free agent market that is about to arrive.

The free agent market last year was calm for a year, and this year it started to become lively again, which can even be described as becoming popular.

This year's free market big fish is comparable to Sun Hao and Kobe who entered the free market.

In addition to the three big fishes mentioned earlier, Yao Ming, Howard and Yi Jianlian, there are also rookies who did not receive early renewal in 2008.

This includes Westbrook of the Thunder, OJ Mayo of the Cavaliers, Kevin Love of the Timberwolves, Brooke Lopez of the Nets, Roy Hibert of the Lakers, etc.

Just like what I said in the first draft, the quality of the draft 2008 generation is still very high.

And in addition to these players, there are many players who are also worth pursuing before playing, and some top veterans.

In his fight, Paul, Deron, Brand, Byron Davis, etc.;

There are many top veterans this year: Nash, Kidd, Billups, Ray Allen, Garnett, Carter, Andre Miller, etc.;

In addition, there are some very good role players: Fernandez, Hinrich, Courtney Lee, Ariza, Pitrus, etc.;

There are even those who have not expired in the 2009 contract, but have already begun to step onto the negotiating table in advance. The two most typical representatives are Harden and Curry.

Both of them performed super highlights last season, and they would be renewed early if nothing unexpected happens.

But the situation between the two is different. Sun Hao left the Warriors, and Curry's contract extension is definitely the same.

But there are many uncertainties in Harden's prospects for renewal.

In short, after this list, there will definitely be many good shows in the free market this year.

Kupchek would even ask Sun Hao for advice in the draft, and the free market plan would naturally not keep it secret.

"The first goal we pursue in the free market will be Yao."

Kupchek did not ask Sun Hao about his attitude in this sentence, because he knew that Sun Hao would not refuse to be a teammate with Yao Ming.

This is true. Sun Hao and Yao Ming have been playing veterans in this league for more than ten years.

I had never had the chance to cooperate before, but now I finally have such an opportunity, just like the draft pick Green in the draft, Sun Hao will definitely not refuse.

Even, he desires.

This is related to his chat with Yao Ming last season, and also to Yao Ming’s current situation.

Long before the free market opened, some problems between Yao Ming and the Wizards were exposed.

Yao Ming's current situation is similar to Durant after being injured in history.

They all reached their peak and suffered serious injuries. Although Yao Ming's injury was relatively mild, the impact of injury to inside players was much greater than that of outside players.

Therefore, the Wizards' management was hesitant just like the Warriors' management at the time.

Because Yao Ming's contract renewal will definitely be a maximum salary, and it will be a long contract. If the Wizards renew the contract, they will most likely pay for the big contract in the next few years.

However, Jordan said more than once in public that the Wizards would renew Yao Ming's contract.

"Everything Yao did for the Wizards has left us with no reason not to renew his contract."

Although Jordan is not a big boss, this is also a statement from the management.

So the current situation can only be considered hesitation at best.

The Wizards will have concerns about renewing the contract, but they cannot refuse to renew the contract, because Riley is ahead of the precedent and they will be criticized to death.

Maybe in the end, it depends on Yao Ming’s own attitude.

At this stage of his career, what Yao Ming is considering will definitely be a little different from before.

This is also the reason why Kupchek dared to say that he would set his first goal on chasing Yao Ming.

As for the injury issue, they have the experience of dealing with O'Neal, and there is no more experience in the league than they are with such big men.

"I'll try to talk to Yao."

Sun Hao is also very proactive because he has desire.

Kupchek was naturally the happiest to hear Sun Hao say this.

With Sun Hao coming forward, the possibility of the Lakers signing Yao Ming rises sharply.

"We're also going to sign Rudy Fernandez."

Then, Kupchek said another person who doesn't seem so important but is very necessary.

Fernandez.

Because Fernandez is on the Cavaliers, he has played in the NBA for a long time than in history.

But he is not doing well now, because the Cavaliers' record has not improved for many years, which is a torture for him.

At the end of last season, he had a strong idea of ​​returning to Europe to play.

The reason why Kupchek chose Fernandez is also easy to explain.

First, of course, it is because of Fernandez's strength.

Fernandez is a rising star in the Spanish basketball world and he still has the strength to play the sixth man in the NBA.

Crawford's performance on the team last season was too poor, and there is little chance that the management will leave him behind.

It makes sense to use Fernandez to replace Crawford.

Second, it is because of Sun Hao.

Many people know about Fernandez and Sun Hao's relationship, including the fact that Fernandez is the godfather of Beijing, Kupchek also knows about it.

So whether it is Yao Ming or Fernandez, Kupchik and the Lakers management are thinking about making Sun Hao more comfortable.

Sun Hao did not reject this proposal either.

Fernandez has a relatively high cost performance, and even if it is not for him, it is very good to sign it.

After talking about the two people who had a close relationship with Sun Hao, Kupuchik said it faster.

The most important thing that follows is that it has a relationship with Carter and Hibert.

Although Hibert performed averagely in the playoffs last season, his physical talent was there and he would definitely get a contract of tens of millions or above.

So the idea of ​​leaving Hibert to play a substitute for Yao Ming is definitely unrealistic.

But the rookie O'Quinn alone is not good, so they will need to sign an experienced or ready-to-fight center in the free market.

Then, it's Carter.

If the Lakers scored the performance of the players last season, then Carter and Crawford could definitely be called "trash brothers".

But Carter is a little different for the Lakers, because in the years since the Lakers were in decline, Carter has worked hard and made a lot of contributions to the team.

The Lakers management has no other characteristics, but it does pay more attention to friendship and image.

In history, ordinary teams will never be able to give a pension contract like Kobe.

If Carter is willing to renew his contract at a low price, the Lakers are still willing to stay.

Of course, the premise is what Sun Hao thinks.

Sun Hao, of course, would not object.

Carter is a very alternative person among the super giants.

Generally, super giants are either very long-lasting, such as Jordan and Kobe;

There are also those who fell and couldn't recover from the middle, such as McGrady and Hill;

However, Carter is very popular and strong at the peak. After being stepped on by Bowen, he became an ordinary All-Star player.

But it was at this level that he lasted for a long time, and even finally played in the league for 22 years.

So judging from Carter's historical performance, Carter's downturn last season was not the norm. He might be able to recover his form next season.

If Carter can be renewed at a lower price, it will not be a loss for the Lakers.

These main things are confirmed, and the rest are some minor repairs, and then, waiting for the free market to officially begin.

A few days later, accompanied by rumors all over the world, the door to the free market officially opened.

Howard was the first to announce that he would jump out of the last year of his previous big contract and become a complete free agent.

Then, the fierce pursuit began.

Although the Clippers were unexpectedly beaten by the Lakers last season, Yao Ming is now unknown due to his injury, Howard has now become the best center in the league, and it is inevitable that he is popular in the market.

Then, it’s Yi Jianlian.

As mentioned before, which team wins the championship will determine the development trend of the league.

The Warriors have completed their dynasty and the development of small balls has become a trend.

At this time, Yi Jianlian, which is more suitable than Ibaka, is not much less popular than Howard.

For the Bulls, renewing the contract with Yi Jianlian is their top priority.

In addition to Paul, who had clearly stated that he would renew his contract last season, the Bulls owners are ready to send out a huge check this summer.

In addition to these two inside players, Delon is also one of the targets pursued by many teams.
To be continued...