novelODS Chapter 54 Signing the Contract, Thunder!
Chapter 54 Signing the Contract, Thunder!
It's worth mentioning that DeAndre Jordan, a member of the Green Room, was almost in tears while waiting in the Green Room. He originally expected to be at least a top-ten pick, and maybe even a top-five pick. However, after all the first-round picks were read, no team had selected him yet. Fortunately, the Clippers selected DeAndre Jordan with the 35th pick.
DeAndre Jordan became the only player among the Green Room members to be selected in the second round.
The SuperSonics used their 32nd pick to select Walter Sharp, a 2.06-meter power forward from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Zeng Zhen didn't have much of an impression of this guy, but he knew that he didn't survive in the NBA after being drafted.
After nearly five hours of two rounds of drafting, the 2008 NBA Draft finally came to a close, and the members of the Green Room went up to take a photo with Stern.
Zeng Zhen's left is Love, and his right is Westbrook.
"Click click click!!"
The photographers captured this moment.
ES: "The Golden Generation of 2008!!"
This is the name ESPN gave to this photo.
This year's draft has many promising rookies, and this title reflects the best expectations for them.
After taking a group photo, Zeng Zhen, Westbrook, and Sharp went to the SuperSonics' temporary office to collect their respective jerseys.
Zeng Zhen did not choose the number 10 jersey this time, but instead chose the jersey number that is the same as his draft position.
Number 8!
Westbrook and Sharp left first, and when Zeng Zhen and Schwartz were about to say goodbye, Presti kept them behind.
"Jeff, as I said, I will definitely do my best to get Zeng Zhen. I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration in the future." Presti looked at Zeng Zhen with a calm expression.
Zeng Zhen would prefer to go to the SuperSonics rather than the Bucks, since they are expected to grow into a playoff-caliber team in the next two years as their roster improves. His two teammates, Durant and Westbrook, both have great potential for growth.
As long as I grow faster than Durant and Westbrook, then I will be the team leader, and let Durant continue to be the second-in-command. It's good for the team if Durant is the second-in-command.
"Sam, you've definitely hit the jackpot. He's on track to quickly develop into an All-Star caliber player, and I hope he'll have a significant role in the team's strategy and get enough playing time in the new season," Schwartz said bluntly.
Presti then looked at head coach PJ Carlesimo and assistant coach Scott Brooks, and said, "Jeff, I can't guarantee that. We need to follow the coach's instructions. That's how we work here."
In a well-disciplined team, the general manager usually doesn't interfere with the head coach's arrangements, and Presti is a relatively disciplined person internally.
"My team values fair play, and I decide playing time based on who performs better in training. No one is special here," PJ Carlesimo replied.
Carlesimo was somewhat unhappy about Presti trading Jeff Green, but due to his responsibilities, Presti was the ultimate decision-maker in the draft.
Now that he's been given two rookie guards, he's even more overwhelmed and doesn't know how to pass the ball.
"Don't worry, Zeng, we're not the Detroit Pistons. We won't make you another Darko. We've paid such a high price because we hope you can make it. We'll give all players a chance to perform." Assistant coach Scott Brooks' words reassured Zeng Zhen.
Zeng Zhen and Schwartz exchanged a glance. If it were a fair competition, Zeng Zhen wouldn't be worried.
Schwartz then added, "We need to find a house in Ohio and use the team's training facility ahead of time."
"No problem, I'll arrange it." Presti nodded.
.......
On Chinese social media, fans are having a heated discussion about Zeng Zhen being quickly traded to the SuperSonics after being selected with the 8th pick.
Domestic fans and media generally predicted that Zeng Zhen would be selected by teams such as the Pacers, Cavaliers, and Spurs, because these teams had made many statements saying they would select Zeng Zhen. However, the Bucks' decision to snatch him with the 8th pick and then send him to the SuperSonics was completely unexpected.
With the SuperSonics moving to Oklahoma City this year, even longtime fans haven't heard of the city.
Forums such as Hupu and Sina Sports were instantly flooded with questions like "Why is it the SuperSonics?" and "Where is Oklahoma City?", with most netizens having no knowledge of the team from this small city.
"Zeng Zhen is going to play basketball in a place where you can't even find a Chinese restaurant."
"The Supersonics are even changing their name. Going to a new team like this means instability."
"This rebuilding team doesn't seem to have much potential. Sigh, it would have been better if they had gone to the Spurs."
"Popovich will definitely develop people."
"Going to a bad team will lead to many bad habits."
"I know Ohio, it's about the same size as our third or fourth-tier cities."
"Zeng Zhen feels like he's following in Yi Jianlian's footsteps."
Domestic fans tend to think that Zeng Zhen is chosen mainly because of the market behind him; if he were to go to a smaller city, he would likely follow the same path as Yi Jianlian.
.....
Zeng Zhen ignored the fans' comments. After returning to Los Angeles and packing his bags, he flew to Oklahoma and, with the help of his staff, rented a villa in an affluent neighborhood.
The SuperSonics also officially announced their name change to the Ohio State Thunder during this period, and they will be using a brand new arena, logo, jerseys...
This name change also signaled the end of Zeng Zhen's supersonic career before it even began.
Six days after the draft, Zeng Zhen, along with his team members, saw his rookie contract in the general manager's office.
The NBA has strict restrictions on the amount and length of contracts for first-round draft picks. Zeng Zhen was the 8th pick, and he can get a 2+1+1 contract totaling 4 years and $1127 million. The first two years, $498.5 million, are fully guaranteed, and the last two years are team options.
Such first-round draft salary clauses are very important for small-market teams like the Thunder. They can maximize the benefits of rookie contracts, and if they can't afford high salaries when their rookie contracts expire, they can still trade for draft picks.
However, that's exactly how Harden was traded away by Presti.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Zeng Zhen officially signed his name on the contract on the table.
"Welcome to the Supersonics—no, they should be called Thunder now!" Presti was still a little confused.
"Mm." Zeng Zhen nodded, and then he and Presti took another photo together holding Thunder jerseys.
Occupation: Current NBA player for Oklahoma City Thunder!
Zeng Zhen got a formal job.
However, signing a contract is just the beginning. The NBA is a very competitive league, with many new players rising to prominence every year. Even first-round picks often leave their teams after their rookie contracts expire because they don't get a renewal. Second-round picks are even worse off, as many of them haven't even seen what a contract looks like.
Whether he can get another contract extension depends on his performance on the court over the next few years. If he plays well, the next contract will be very lucrative. If he doesn't perform well, he may have to leave the NBA!
The business league is incredibly ruthless, but Zeng Zhen is confident he can make history with this brand-new team!