This dialogue can be seen as addressing both of Du Feng’s potential motives.
Du Feng probably also had an idea in his mind. After chatting for a few more sentences, he finally asked, "Are you playing in this year’s Asian Championship?"
After receiving a positive confirmation from Su Wan, he said, "See you then."
He then hung up the phone.
Su Wan didn’t continue to dwell on the matter.
It wasn’t surprising to him that Zhu Fangyu wanted to try his luck in the NBA.
He had already received a contract offer from the Celtics before.
But he disdained the 10-day contract’s lack of security and preferred the stability of staying with the Guangdong Team, so he rejected it.
Now the Cavaliers had offered a more stable contract. Of course, the figure of over nine million was nonsense. Su Wan estimated that for the sake of face, Zhu Fangyu was talking about a contract converted at the exchange rate; the actual contract was probably just over one million dollars a year.
That was in line with the value of the current CBA Finals MVP.
Adding to that, Zhu Fangyu was only 24 this year, at the "golden age," so naturally, after seeing Yao make it, he wanted to have a go in the NBA too.
But Su Wan hadn’t expected that the Cavaliers would dare to pick a Huaxia player.
All he could say was...
For men, the first love truly is unforgettable!
In the following days, the media continued to report news related to the Pacers’ championship.
On June 18th, Indiana’s long-awaited Pacers Championship Parade Day arrived.
Pacers owner and real estate mogul Herbert Simon was very generous, throwing out one million dollars for the parade.
Undoubtedly, this was a big day for Indiana.
The parade officially began after 9 am.
Tens of thousands of Pacers fans followed tourist buses. Su Wan and Artest stood on the first bus, spraying champagne bottle after bottle toward both sides of the vehicle.
Reggie Miller, who should have looked like a boss with a cigar in his mouth, stood behind them, tasked with opening the champagne.
Along the way they traveled, the champagne they sprayed.
Pacers fans jostled to bathe in the "champagne rain," their devout expressions reminiscent of church-going believers.
The parade vehicles left from Conseco Arena and eventually returned there.
To Su Wan’s surprise...
In front of Conseco Arena’s fan plaza, there was a large group of people energetically performing lion dances with drums and gongs.
When he had left earlier, the fan plaza had been empty.
This was clearly a special "Huaxia element" prepared for him.
Larry Bird was waiting with a smile, "Come on, the boss is already inside waiting for you. He can’t wait to see you."
Su Wan muttered, "Could there be a more boring moment than this?"
Larry Bird: "It’s probably going to be more boring than you think."
Indeed, "Big Bird" wasn’t wrong. Other than a lengthy and meaningless thank you speech, there was just an enthusiastic hug. Su Wan glanced at the woman beside Herbert Simon and really wanted to suggest that she take his place in the embrace.
"The Pacers will always revolve around you!"
Herbert tossed a "big pie" at him. Su Wan felt no emotional reaction. He hadn’t been a "social livestock" for so long that it was hard for him to respond, "Herbert, never say never. If I get injured and am out for the season, or if my performance declines, will you really not trade me?"
Herbert didn’t expect Su Wan to be so direct. The experienced businessman’s face showed a flicker of embarrassment.
He really couldn’t offer Su Wan such a promise.
Good thing he didn’t say it.
Even if he had, Su Wan wouldn’t have taken it seriously. Instead, he would have found the owner too hypocritical, which would have triggered some unpleasant memories from Cleveland.
"Let’s both be sincere. As long as I’m making money for you, increasing the Pacers’ market value, I hope you won’t backstab this team. If you no longer want to invest, then please tell me!"
Su Wan laid out his request.
Seriousness flashed in Herbert’s eyes. He hadn’t anticipated such a serious conversation with a 19-year-old player. After a pause, he said:
"Alright, Su, I can promise you that."
"Just for that, you’ve already surpassed 90% of the owners in this league!"
There was no helping it; the league had too many brain-dead owners.
Other investors and shareholders were present, watching Su Wan’s retreating figure with confused looks.
Among them were businessmen who had dealt with Michael Jordan, and they thought of that "God of Basketball." However, compared to Jordan, Su Wan wasn’t as aggressive or domineering.
He simply stood there and said what he wanted to say.
This was...
Um, it was hard to describe.
If they understood the idiom "neither humble nor arrogant," they would definitely have used it to describe Su Wan.
Larry Bird introduced again, "This is Su Wan, the new leader of the Pacers after Reggie Miller."
Herbert Simon sat back down on the couch, "Come on, everyone, you’ve all seen the person you wanted to meet. Now, those who want to increase their investment or sign new endorsement contracts, you can state your numbers!"
Su Wan returned to the main party area and found Stephen Jackson going around making toasts. Struggling with his gaze for a moment, he came over, "Buddy, my agent is about to help me request a trade. Today, consider it a farewell to you."
"Good luck, buddy, I hope wherever you go, you can perform even better."
Su Wan sincerely wished him well.
He wasn’t surprised about Stephen Jackson’s departure; Artest’s return was bound to bump a wing player out of position. It wasn’t going to be him, so it didn’t need saying who it would be.