The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 473 - 214: Su Wan, Will You Leave or Stay?_4

Chapter 473: Chapter 214: Su Wan, Will You Leave or Stay?_4

But judging by Artest’s excited look, Su Wan really doubted how much he’d taken in.

With the All-Star Weekend approaching, Su Wan and Artest arrived in Los Angeles and received a call from Larry Bird. The negotiations with New York had gone smoothly; both sides had signed, and they were just waiting to submit the contract to the League for approval:

"The trade not only involves Ron leaving but Jamal is also on the trade list..."

"We’ll be getting Zach Randolph and Nate Robinson." frёeωebɳovel.com

Hearing that Jamal would also be leaving, Su Wan was not surprised. Leaving aside the fact that Jamal had been on the fringes of the team’s system for the past two years, there were the contracts of Artest and Zach Randolph to consider.

Artest’s annual salary was just over $8 million, while Zach Randolph’s was a whopping $13 million; another player would need to be added to balance the trade.

With an annual salary of around $7 million and also outside the core system, Tinsley naturally became the best choice.

Moreover, this would allow the Pacers to clear about $3 million in salary space.

If calculated according to Tinsley’s contract for next season and the new contract Artest was about to sign, the savings would exceed $5 million, which amounted to a mid-level contract.

After learning of the deal, Su Wan still told Artest right away.

These days, "Beast" had been thinking about returning to New York, even having his agent look for houses in advance for him.

He didn’t feel sentimental about it.

That’s just the way thick-skinned people are.

When Tinsley learned of the news, he was surprised, but hearing that his destination was New York, his initially upset emotions eased immediately.

Indeed...

Everyone wants to go to a big city!

On the 18th, Su Wan and Artest played their last game side by side in the All-Star game.

After the game, Artest once again thanked Su Wan, "Buddy, the three years I’ve played alongside you have been wonderful. I hope we’ll have the chance to be teammates again in the future!"

Su Wan looked at the earnest Artest and felt somewhat unaccustomed.

"Actually, Su, I know you were considering my feelings, which is why you’ve been holding off on renewing your contract with the Pacers. I’m really grateful!" Artest said what he’d long wanted to say but had kept in his heart.

He’d thought about saying this many times before.

But he knew clearly that if Su Wan had truly signed a renewal contract, his own future would become uncertain.

From a selfish perspective, he’d always pretended not to know about the sacrifices Su Wan had made while waiting for him.

That was where he felt he had let Su Wan down.

Now that the trade was complete and he was on his way to the Knicks, he could finally open up to Su Wan.

Su Wan was also honest, "Ron, don’t be too touched; it’s not just about you..."

"You’re considering leaving?" Artest showed surprise, but then his expression turned to one of understanding.

Su Wan’s achievements now weren’t about whether he would enter the Hall of Fame, but about the possibility of surpassing Michael Jordan.

Given the current situation with the Simon Group, they simply didn’t have the spare cash to support Su Wan’s pursuit of becoming the greatest player in history.

And Indiana...

Well, what can I say?

Although this is the place that nurtured him.

Even so, Artest thought that there wasn’t enough media support here for Su Wan’s quest for that title.

Especially since Su Wan was an international player, he needed even more media support.

Artest understood this logic, needless to say Su Wan did too.

If he wanted to leave the Pacers when his rookie contract expired, it was understandable.

Not to mention that Indiana was in turmoil right now!

"Actually, Ron, there are two little men fighting in my head!" For the first time, Su Wan revealed his most genuine thoughts about the decision to leave or stay, in front of the departing Artest.

Then they parted ways; Artest flew to New York overnight, while Su Wan once again returned to Bolis.

Looking at the streets that had become so familiar, and the posters of him that could be seen everywhere, he could feel how he and the city had become one over the past three years.

The next day, on the Pacers’ first training day after the All-Star Weekend, Larry Bird met with the newly arrived Zach Randolph and Nate Robinson at the arena.

Robinson, mainly included as a throw-in, was there to fill in for Tinsley’s departure.

He might become the starting player, but he would only get about ten minutes of playing time per game, so Bird didn’t say much to him.

As for Zach Randolph...

Larry Bird now understood Su Wan’s true intent in choosing him.

With Artest gone and young O’Neal out for the season, the Pacers had nearly lost their tactical system after the All-Star Weekend.

Su Wan wanted Zach Randolph to prop up the Pacers’ inside offense.

After the All-Star Weekend, the Pacers’ offensive system would inevitably become a "two-man game" between Su Wan and Zach Randolph, along with a defensively weakened "Small Lineup."

Given this, the importance of Zach Randolph was self-evident.

To motivate him, Larry Bird laid out the whole trade for Randolph, "Zach, the trade for you was completely Su’s idea. Everyone thinks you are beyond saving, but he believes you can definitely redeem yourself; you just need a good environment and a chance to prove it!"