Volume 4: Golden State Prosperity

Golden State's Golden Age — Compensation. Green, who had just said he would never accept a bench role, hesitated for only a moment before saying helplessly, "Roy, what do you think of Ronan's proposal?" It would be best if Antetokounmpo and Green had some internal conflict too—that would be truly exciting. After all, they loved watching the drama. However, although these extensions involved enormous sums, they did not have much impact on the league's overall landscape. Only superstars could truly shake up the league. Thus, countless contracts that would once have been considered astronomical flew through the air like willow catkins in March. While the Thunder delegation waited anxiously for Durant's call at a Hampton Inn in Hampton, Durant announced his final decision on the website he had invested in, The Players' Tribune. Small-market teams could not attract stars, yet they faced the risk of having their own stars poached, so they could only retain players with massive contracts. Moreover, Green was in his prime and nowhere near the point of needing a successor. How was Green supposed to react to the Warriors giving Antetokounmpo such a huge contract? "Of course not. You're a key contributor to the Warriors' four championships. The team cannot defend its title without your performance. I have no intention of humiliating you. I'm merely stating a fact, and it has to do with what I want to discuss next—I hope that next season, you'll give up your starting spot and serve as the backup power forward." Every summer, under the calm surface, the trade market was always filled with hidden currents. Media members and fans whose thinking remained stuck in the old era believed these teams had all gone mad. Mike Conley, in particular, became the first "thirty-million-dollar man" since Jordan and was questioned by