Philadelphia.

This is a conference room. The 76ers president Stefansky is calling the team management for a meeting. The theme of this meeting is how to strengthen the team lineup.

"This past season, we have achieved very good results." Stefansky said: "It also proves that we are absolutely right to build a team around Qin Lai."

"Well, that's right, Qin's performance was so outstanding, it even exceeded our expectations."

"Qin is not only amazingly talented and outstanding, but also has a maturity and calmness far surpassing his peers. He is a key gentleman worth relying on. He is completely a natural leader and a perfect cornerstone for team building."

Everyone agreed.

There is no doubt about this. If anyone had doubts about Qin Hao last season, then after the end of this season, those who questioned would have shut their mouths obediently.

Stefansky knocked on the table and said: "As a player and the leader of the team, Qin has done his best. Of course, Coach Luke and the coaching staff have also done a good job."

"They have all done their jobs well, so the rest should be our business. Reinforce the lineup and make the team lineup stronger, so that next season we can go to the Eastern Conference championship, and even the total. champion."

"Okay, let's talk about it now, how do we reinforce it, and what are the better candidates?" He waved his hand and motioned everyone to speak freely.

A group of management glanced at each other.

Finally, Deputy General Manager Jonathan spoke first: "I think we should find an All-Star player, preferably an inside, to supplement our inside lineup. Although Nene, Speights, and Mozkov performed It’s all good, but we still suffer a bit when we meet the kind of team with all-star insiders."

Everyone nodded.

NBA has always had a saying that "the insiders get the world", especially in the playoffs, the role of insiders is very important, so this suggestion is not a problem.

"What about the candidate?" Stefansky asked.

"I think the best candidate is Howard." Jonathan said: "Although Howard has obvious shortcomings, if he is not the core, just as Qin's assistant, it should be good."

"With Howard, our inside line will become stronger, with Qin, Iguodala, Leonard, Iverson, Lu Wei, Holiday and other outstanding players outside. Waiting for next season, we will definitely We can go further. And, if we still meet the Heat in the playoffs next season, if we have Howard, we can have the absolute upper hand in the paint and share the pressure for Qin."

This statement is true, but Stefansky is shaking his head.

Jonathan asked strangely: "What's the matter?"

Stefansky spread his hand: "Jonathan, did you forget? We will not only sign up for reinforcements this summer, but also solve the problem of keeping players inside the team. Are you sure we only need to reinforce the inside line? Worried about outside lines?"

Uh......

Jonathan was dumbfounded, he really forgot.

The 76ers not only have to sign up this summer, but also decide whether to stay or leave their internal players, because many of the 76ers' contracts have reached a point.

The first is Brand. His performance this season has become more and more disappointing, especially in the playoffs, which further validated his characteristic of "pulling his hips as soon as he gets to the playoffs."

However, Brand signed a five-year $80 million contract with the 76ers in 2008. It expires in 13 years. This year he will become a "restricted free agent."

If the 76ers want to send him away, they must make a decision this summer.

In addition, Holiday is a rookie in 2009, signed a 3+1 rookie contract, this year will also become a "restricted free agent", the 76ers have to make a decision whether to renew or trade.

There is also Lu Wei. In 2008, he signed a five-year $25 million contract with the 76ers, which is also a "restricted free agent". With his current performance, he obviously wants to get a higher contract. He will communicate with the 76ers soon to seek a larger contract. If the 76ers do not match, he must consider trading him.

There is also Speights. He was a rookie in 2008 and became a "restricted free agent" last year, but because he didn't play very well before, he did not rush to renew his contract or seek a deal, hoping to play for another year. Strive for better performance, and then strive to make the next contract bigger.

So this summer, Speights will become a "completely free agent." If the 76ers want to keep him, they have to match offers from other teams.

Thinking of these Stefansky feels a headache.

This is not just to consider whether a player is going to stay, whether he is in harmony with the team, whether the future development of the team needs him, but also to consider the salary space, set aside enough salary space to reinforce.

Therefore, the stay of these players is related to reinforcement, and the amount of their contract renewal is related to the salary space, and who is left and who is sent away will also affect the team's lineup configuration and will also determine them. What kind of players need to be reinforced...

Hey, it's too difficult for me.

With a sigh in his heart, Stefansky said: "Jonathan's proposal is still possible, but the specifics need to be discussed. Others will talk about your suggestions first."

Another humanity: "I think the restricted ball free agent is the target we should consider. We can trade some players in exchange for the players we need. For example, Brand, his performance is too bad, I think we need to Take advantage of his contract for one year, and trade out in advance.

"Well, I agree."

"It's not just Brand. If necessary, other players can also be traded. For example, Iguodala, yes, he has played for the team for so many years and made a lot of contributions, but he is no longer in his prime. , Coupled with successive injuries, I am very worried about his state next season. Moreover, his contract is only two years left."

"There are also Holiday and Lu Wei, their contracts are about to expire."

There are not many stars in full free agency this year, so they all aim at "restricted free agents", which can strengthen themselves and resolve the contracts of some players on the team.

For a while, everyone spoke up and talked, making Stefansky's head hurt. He rubbed his temples and uttered a low voice: "Shut up all of you."

Everyone was quiet.

Stefansky took a deep breath and said: "We have only one goal, to make the team better, and to strive for better results next season. For this goal, Howard can strive for the players in our team, Except for Qin, all the transactions can be traded. In this way, you will make a few plans in the afternoon and discuss them together when the time comes."

"The meeting is over."