Special Contract

After returning to Paravilla Stadium, Li Chen began his warm-up exercises. It was time to start today's training.

"Hey! I recall your contract expires today. Why are you still here?" Odom sneered mockingly.

He was feeling a bit afraid now—afraid that if Li Chen stayed with the Clippers, he would truly squeeze him out of his position. That was why he wanted him to leave and go to another team.

"Hey! Odom, stop looking for trouble. The coach hasn't arrived yet, so he must be discussing contract renewals with the management," Elton Brand scolded angrily.

Li Chen pulled Elton Brand back, then stepped forward and said indifferently, "Are you afraid?"

Odom's eyes flickered. "Hmph, would I be afraid of you? What a joke."

Odom feigned composure and let out a disdainful snort.

Li Chen didn't pay much more attention to Odom after that remark. Today, he had to shoot 3,000 balls to upgrade his Open Three-Pointer skill from D-rank to C-rank.

On the other side.

In the Clippers General Manager Office.

"Mr. Baylor, you saw Chen's performance yesterday. I hope the team can offer him a minimum salary contract."

Elgin Baylor did not answer immediately, instead falling into deep thought.

At this moment, Alvin Gentry added, "Chen is an extremely hardworking Easterner. He gets up very early every day to train."

"Oh? How early?"

Elgin Baylor became interested. After all, he had once been a basketball player himself—and a very excellent one at that, though his luck hadn't been great.

Therefore, he still held hardworking players in high regard.

Alvin Gentry thought for a moment and said, "Around three or four in the morning!"

"Are you sure?" Elgin Baylor looked directly at Alvin Gentry, asking with some surprise.

Alvin Gentry nodded and said, "Yes, sir. I saw it with my own eyes."

Elgin Baylor nodded; he had already decided to keep Li Chen. It was only a minimum salary contract, and if he panned out, such a hardworking player would surely become a force to be reckoned with.

Sometimes, in the right circumstances, diligence can generate goodwill and serve as a bonus.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door of the general manager's office.

This caused the two men in the office to look toward the door in unison.

Elgin Baylor was only slightly stunned before he said, "Please come in."

A short while later, the door was pushed open, and Bill Duffy walked in.

Before Elgin Baylor could speak, Bill Duffy introduced himself:

"Hello, Mr. Baylor. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Bill, and I am Mr. Li Chen's agent."

Alvin Gentry was somewhat surprised. He knew that kid Li Chen; he only knew how to bury his head in training day in and day out. How could he possibly have time to find an agent? He was very puzzled by this.

Alvin Gentry might not have known who Bill Duffy was, but as the general manager of the Clippers, Elgin Baylor frequently dealt with player agents. How could he not know Bill Duffy? This guy was famous for his social skills—a real sly fox.

At this moment, Bill Duffy smiled slightly and added, "Gentlemen, there is no need to be surprised. It was I who took the initiative to approach Mr. Li Chen."

Clearly, Bill Duffy said this to imply that he saw great potential in Li Chen, which also served as a bargaining chip for the upcoming negotiations.

Elgin Baylor certainly understood Bill Duffy's intentions. He hadn't expected that a basketball agent like Bill Duffy would also be high on that Eastern Kid, which made him realize that he might, just might, have landed a big fish.

Everyone knew Elgin Baylor; during his playing days, he was known as the perennial runner-up, and his record as a coach was abysmal.

Now, he was desperate to achieve success in his position as team manager to add a brilliant stroke to his otherwise bleak career.

Although Elgin Baylor had the urge to take a gamble, he was, after all, just a team manager; he had to be responsible to the team's shareholders.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I can offer a base salary contract of $500,000."

Bill Duffy's brows furrowed slightly. He had sworn to Li Chen that he would secure a contract worth over $1 million. But now...

Therefore, Bill Duffy could not agree to Elgin Baylor's offer. And so...

After a round of intense verbal sparring, Li Chen's annual salary was finally settled.

The first-year salary remained $500,000, but it came with additional conditions.

If Li Chen could average over 10 points per game in the remaining matches of this season, his annual salary would increase to $1 million.

If, with his help, the team made the Playoffs, the annual salary would increase to $2 million.

If, with his help, they reached the Western Conference Semifinals, the annual salary would increase to $3 million.

If, with his help, they reached the Western Conference Finals, the annual salary would increase to $4.03 million.

If all the above conditions were met, Li Chen would receive a three-year, $13 million rookie contract.

If Li Chen could really play his way to the Western Conference Finals, his annual salary would be equivalent to that of a number one overall draft pick.

Once the rookie period ended, he would receive a max contract.

It should be noted that the contracts for number one overall picks were usually 3+1. If Li Chen could truly break out, he would earn over $10 million more in salary than the 2003 number one pick, James. Of course, this was all based on the premise that Li Chen could actually perform.

As for winning a championship, Elgin Baylor and Bill Duffy tacitly avoided mentioning it. In truth, both of them knew perfectly well that apart from the "average of 10 points per game" condition, the rest was just nonsense.

This was merely to motivate Li Chen, to send him a message: the front office values you highly, and as long as you perform well, you will definitely receive a max contract after your rookie period ends.

If Li Chen couldn't even manage to average 10 points per game...

The NBA is not a charity; everything depends on your own ability.

On the other side.

Just as Li Chen finished his training for the day, Bill Duffy called to say that the contract had been finalized, and he went over the specific terms of the agreement with him.

Then, he told Li Chen that he could sign the extension with the Clippers tomorrow.

Li Chen was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected Bill Duffy to be able to pull this off.

In his past life, people always said that player agents were just bloodsuckers, but now he knew that when they had this kind of capability, their efforts were worth the price.

As his thoughts drifted, Li Chen nodded and said concisely, "I understand."

After a moment of thought, he added, "Um... thank you for this."

On the other end of the line, Bill Duffy was slightly stunned. "Haha! You are just as polite as Yao. You Orientals really are a likable people."

Li Chen smiled without saying anything, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then hung up the phone.

After ending the call, he hurriedly shouted, "Brother Zhizhi, wait a second."

Hearing Li Chen call out in Chinese, Wang Zhizhi was slightly taken aback. He stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Li Chen.

"Li Chen, is something the matter?" Wang Zhizhi asked in surprise, speaking in Chinese.

Li Chen said with some embarrassment, "I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Wang Zhizhi asked, looking surprised, "Me? What kind of favor can I do for you?"

"Brother Zhizhi, I need to take 3,000 three-point shots today, and I was hoping you could help me with the rebounding and passing."

"Ah?" Wang Zhizhi felt a wave of dizziness. 3... 3,000 three-pointers?