I Will Bring My Talents Back to North Carolina!

"Mitch Richmond signs with the San Antonio Spurs—three years, $75 million!"

The frenzy of signings and roster upgrades continued!

After Houston assembled its five-man superteam, the second of Texas's three rising powers—the Spurs, who had won the championship this season in the original timeline—quietly completed the biggest free-agent signing in franchise history.

The Rock, Richmond!

Richmond had not been happy with the Jazz last year, mainly because of his standing on the team and in the system. Stockton had all the ball-handling duties on the perimeter, while Malone handled all the interior offense.

Watching Stockton and Malone run pick-and-rolls, Richmond, a Hall of Fame-caliber guard, had actually been used as a spot-up shooter far too often!

Unbearable!

And Richmond was only thirty-three! He was unwilling to become a spectator at that age. Not everyone wanted to be Pippen. Popovich promised him that if he came to the Spurs, he would be the team's first offensive option on the perimeter!

Richmond was tempted!

Although the Spurs' offer was neither the largest nor the longest, Richmond decisively joined a team where he was the only perimeter star, but which boasted the twin interior superstars Tim Duncan and David Robinson!

Popovich found the deal incredibly worthwhile as well!

Three years, $75 million!

They had perfectly taken advantage of Duncan's cheap rookie contract. Once Richmond reached thirty-five and could no longer play at the same level, they could assess his condition and offer him a veteran's minimum deal.

With the salary cap's massive increase, Popovich still had plenty of room to strengthen the role players!

Popovich happily downed two bottles of Bordeaux! The Spurs had found their most crucial championship puzzle piece.

Popovich even had the confidence to go toe-to-toe with the Lakers! No one understood better than he did just how powerful Duncan