In late July, there was less than a week left before Lin Qi's "one-year ban" officially took effect.
In the president's office at Boston's New Garden, Lin Qi was working diligently to finalize the last few pieces of the roster for the new season. Sitting across from him today were Ron Artest and his agent.
As a player personally selected by Lin Qi in the 1999 NBA Draft, Artest had one year left on his rookie contract, which happened to coincide with the early contract extension window.
"Ron, we've known each other for three years, so I won't beat around the bush with you." Lynch leaned back in his chair and looked at the ferocious beast forward in front of him, who was fierce on the court but occasionally seemed a bit honest off the court.
"You now have a championship ring and are the most troublesome defensive anchor for all perimeter players in the league. Your value has been proven." Lin Qi held up two fingers, giving his options. "First option: if you want to be a core player or starter, or even want more touches on offense, I can trade you to a new team. With your current market value, there's definitely a team that wants you."
"The second option is for you to stay. Boston will offer you a long-term contract, but due to our current salary structure, the annual salary may not reach your theoretical maximum in the free market."
Lin Qi put it very clearly. In this materialistic league, many young players who win championships will first and foremost want to go to other teams for big contracts and a more prominent role in the team's offense. This is only natural.
Upon hearing Lin Qi's words, Artest did not answer immediately, but instead turned to look at his agent beside him.
His agent cleared his throat and spread his hands with a hint of helplessness. "Mr. Lin Qi, let me be frank with you. We did indeed probe the market. While Ron's defense is excellent, his offensive skills are still being refined, plus his occasional temper tantrums on the court... Other teams' general managers, while eyeing his defense, would only offer a starting salary of around $4 million at most. They're unwilling to risk anything higher."
In the summer of 2002, the NBA's financial environment was actually contracting. Due to reduced television broadcasting revenue, the salary cap for the 2002-03 season was lowered for the first time in history, from $42.5 million the previous season to $40.271 million. However, the amount of the mid-level exception slightly increased from $4.538 million the previous year to $4.545 million.
If Artest goes to free agency next summer, a full mid-level contract would be a reasonable price for him.
Upon hearing his agent reveal his past, Artest scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his face, a face that usually instilled fear in his opponents on the court.
"Boss, I don't want to go to another team." Artest rubbed his large hands together, his voice rough but his tone sincere. "I like playing with my brothers like Chris Paul ( Pierce ) and Kevin ( Garnett ). Even if another team made me the leader, I'd go crazy if they lost every day."
More importantly, Artest had already silently done the math in his mind.
Boston offered him a 5-year, $21 million contract extension, averaging around $4.2 million per year. It seems slightly less than going to a bad team to be their star player, but that's just the nominal "fixed salary."
Artest was well aware of his boss's influence. Every summer, he received a hefty appearance fee for playing exhibition games in Europe with the team. In addition, there was the " World Championship " tournament held this year, a transnational event with a high prize pool... Adding all these miscellaneous hidden incomes together, the money he could actually pocket this year was easily over $5 million.
Moreover, whether from an emotional or rational perspective, staying in Boston is the perfect ending for him.
"And... boss, other teams don't treat me like you do," Artest muttered under his breath.
Over the past three years, Lin Qi not only paid close attention to his training but also personally paid for a top-notch psychologist to regularly help him manage his easily out-of-control temper. Moreover, Lin Qi was very tolerant of his strange ideas (such as the absurd thing of applying for a job as a clerk in an appliance store during his rookie season).
The agent nodded in agreement, "Frankly, if it were any other team's management, seeing Ron's borderline technical foul plays on the court, they would have driven him crazy with fines and suspensions. The locker room atmosphere and the management's tolerance in Boston are the core reasons why Ron has achieved his current market value."
"Actually, there's another reason..." Artest suddenly grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, his expression a mixture of unease and pride. "I was taking a walk Charles River the other day and saw several local Boston fans wearing my number 37 jersey."
"They asked me for autographs and said, 'Well done, Ron, keep kicking Los Angeles's ass for us.' Boss, it felt really good. The fans love me, and I don't want to leave."
For this fiercely proud and recognition-hungry street tough, the pure adoration of the Boston fans was far more valuable than the million-dollar price difference.
"Since you've thought it through, then sign it." Lin Qi smiled and pushed the prepared contract over.
Without any haggling, Artest grabbed a pen and signed his name on the contract in a flourish.
With a 5-year, $21 million contract, Boston has completely shut down this formidable wing player who strikes fear into the entire league, offering him an incredibly good deal.
Just as Lin Qi finished putting away the contract renewal documents, Artest and his agent left the office with satisfaction, and Margaret knocked on the door and came in.
"Boss, is Ron's contract settled?" Margaret glanced at the documents on the table.
"It's settled. He's a smart man; he knows where the best environment for him to thrive is." Lin Qi nodded.
"Perfect timing, here's one last player contract for you to review." Margaret handed over a document. "Memet Okur's agent has already arrived in Boston with him. The physical exam results are all normal, and he can officially sign the contract at any time."
Lin Qi took the document, a look of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Okur is a Turkey center selected by Boston with the late first-round pick in last year's draft. At the time, Boston had a wealth of interior talent, so Lin Qi took advantage of the situation and let him "spare the wheel" in the EuroLeague for a year.
The intense training he received in Europe this year has greatly improved Okur's physical strength and tactical awareness. During this offseason, Boston lost Wang Zhizhi and Kirilenko, leaving a gap in their interior rotation, which is the perfect opportunity to recall this sharpshooting center.
Okur not only possesses an excellent interior physique and screen setting ability, but most importantly, he has an extremely soft three-point shooting ability. In an era where big men generally only engage in physical battles in the paint, a heavyweight stretch big who can draw opposing centers to the three-point line will greatly enrich Boston's tactical options, creating ample interior space for Garnett, Pierce, and the soon-to-be Wade to penetrate.
"Sign him on a standard rookie contract. Arrange for him to join the team's summer training camp next week." Lin Qi signed the document and handed it back to Margaret.
With this, the core framework of the Boston Celtics for the new season has been completely established.
There are three days left before David Stern's injunction takes effect.