Before free agency started, a very interesting thing happened in the league.

The Knicks were fined a second-round pick by the league.

The reason is that they first contacted restricted free agent Jimmy Butler before the free market began.

The Knicks appealed to no avail.

Riley was dumbfounded.

Lin Ying's home training center.

After seeing the news, Lin Ying and Butler both laughed.

Butler has decided not to go to the Knicks. This "backhand move" is very essence.

This is another slap in the face of the New York Big Three who are about to break up.

"Lin, do you think LeBron will return to the Cavaliers?"

Butler played for the Nets for four years, and now that he is restricted, he still regards himself as a "Net".

"It's possible, but the key is how they deal with James Harden."

"Um?"

"The compatibility between James Harden and LeBron will be very poor. They both need to hold the ball a lot to perform. If LeBron really wants to return to Cleveland, James Harden should be traded."

"Where do you think you'll be traded?"

Lin Ying shook his head.

He couldn't predict this.

He even felt that James would not necessarily leave New York.

According to previous rumors, Wade may return to the Heat.

To do this, the Heat are likely to send Anthony.

And once Anthony goes to New York, James' desire to stay will become stronger.

After all, Anthony who is still at his peak is much more competitive than Wade who has declined.

…

On July 1, the door to the free market officially opened.

Nothing major was signed.

However, many restricted free agents received offers.

For example, Gordon Hayward of the Jazz received a four-year, 63 million contract offer from the Bobcats, which should now be called the Hornets.

For another example, the Nets... were dismantled!

Jimmy Butler received four maximum salary offers at the same time, from the Knicks, Hornets, Celtics and Bulls.

Yi Jianlian received offers from the Celtics, Wizards, Suns and other teams, among which the Wizards offered a four-year, 32 million long-term contract.

Granger received a two-year, $10 million mid-level contract offer from the Heat.

Crowder received a two-year, $9 million contract offer from the Cavaliers.

…

Walken Dean was caught off guard after the first day of free agency.

Although he was mentally prepared, it turned out that he was facing a completely new situation.

Generally speaking, a player's value will increase after winning a championship.

Yet this is a player from a team that won two consecutive championships.

Moreover, the Nets' players whose performance has declined are all locked up with large contracts, but those who have performed well have all expired.

This kind of situation is difficult for even top managers to deal with.

That night, Walken Dean invited Karl, Cole and Lin Ying to his home to talk about the team's selection for the new season.

The head coach of the team is the core of the team. As for Cole, because Cole has served as the team's general manager, he can help in this regard.

After chatting for a while, Cole talked about his thoughts.

"I think letting Jimmy go, and then waiting until next offseason to deal with Joe's contract, when Lin jumps out of the contract and Tyson's contract expires, we will have a new luxury team with unprecedented lineup components."

Walken Dean nodded.

This is indeed the best solution for the Nets.

Because there are still two years left on Johnson's long-term contract, it will become an expiring contract next summer. At that time, there will be teams that have filled the "poor line" and need him, and he can be directly exchanged for air.

Moreover, there will be a lot of free agents next summer. Aldridge, Gasol, Duncan, DeAndre Jordan, Millsap, Rondo, and Ginobili are all completely free agents.

Moreover, the contracts of the 2011 rookies have also expired, including Leonard.

In addition, Durant, Love, and Brook Lopez all have player contract options.

As Cole said, there's a lot of room for maneuver.

"Can we give up the opportunity to challenge the dynasty?"

But Dean Walken then said something very realistic.

It seems that Cole said he should have considered it, but reality does not allow it.

Not to mention the players represented by Lin Ying, the fans outside will not agree.

"But no matter how we operate, our strength is declining."

Cole then talked about an equally realistic topic.

Lin Ying also resonated with Cole when he said this.

Because when they were still with the Suns, they encountered such a problem during the defending season.

In comparison, the situation at that time was better.

It would be even harder for the Nets to break the game now.

Because the Nets have exceeded the luxury tax for three consecutive seasons, this season the tax range of 1 million to 5 million automatically becomes 2.5 times, 5 to 10 million becomes 2.75, and so on.

If the amount exceeds 5 million, you have to pay 12.5 million, and if the amount exceeds 10 million, you have to pay 26.5 million.

With this kind of luxury tax off the ground, even they can't operate beyond the cap unscrupulously this season.

So even if Joe Johnson is pardoned and space is left for Butler to renew his contract, the team's overall strength will still decline.

Not to mention the core rotation that was offered.

"Lin, do you have any ideas?"

Walken Dean looked at Lin Ying.

Lin Ying shook his head.

After all, he is not a professional manager, so there is no good idea in this situation.

Moreover, it was not appropriate for him to say anything in this situation.

After chatting for a while, Walken Dean asked Cole and Lin Ying to go back first, and he then discussed countermeasures with Karl.

"There are foreseeable difficulties in the new season."

After leaving Warken Dean's house, Cole spoke.

"I always believe what Coach Rick said, difficulties bring opportunities."

Lin Ying's mentality remained very good.

"Rick Barnes?"

"Um."

Barnes is now an assistant coach with the Mavericks.

After being fired after one year with the Nuggets, he didn't get another head coaching job.

However, he did not choose to return to the NCAA, but continued to stay.

"This sentence is very philosophical."

Cole nodded in agreement.

"I'm ready to accept the Warriors' invitation to become their head coach."

Cole then said suddenly.

"Um?"

Lin Ying looked at him unexpectedly.

It's not because of this decision, but because of the occasion where I spoke.

Warken Dean still approached Cole before the meeting, which means that Cole has not told Warken Dean about this yet.
To be continued...