The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 584 - 236 The Biggest Loser of the Finals_5

Chapter 584: Chapter 236 The Biggest Loser of the Finals_5

Not signing a player may seem like a simple thing, but hesitation in such matters could mean total disaster:

In a small-market city like Indiana, if the team is also seen as cold-hearted, then no player would want to pledge their loyalty.

Even more crucially:

The whole world is watching what the Pacers will do; if they fail to properly handle O’Neal’s sincerity, the media will definitely lead the narrative, saying the Pacers management is heartless and cold-blooded. If Su Wan spends his entire prime with the Pacers, he’ll end up like O’Neal.

The consequences of such opinions are clear to imagine.

Not to mention others, whether Su Wan is having second thoughts is something no one can guarantee.

In fact, media from Indiana have already expressed disappointment with the Pacers management: "Su Wan finally rescued this team and put everything back on track; can’t the management be a little more decisive?"

"If I were Su Wan and saw the team’s structure so unstable every year, I would definitely secure myself a backup plan!"

"The fact is, Su Wan has already done this; he has only signed a 2+1 contract!"

"Of course, all of this now has proven that Su Wan was right to worry. The Pacers can’t maintain a long-term stable lineup. Any core player in such a team would start feeling anxious."

For example...

"When I’m no longer at my peak, will the team also decisively trade me away to avoid the luxury tax?"

This report caused quite a stir in Indiana, with many fans flocking to the fan plaza at Conseco Arena, demanding that the team renew contracts with Anthony Parker and O’Neal, and maintain the championship lineup for the new season.

Unfortunately, even if they did so, there’s been no news of contract renewals from the Pacers.

Larry Bird is waiting for Herbert to make a decision.

And Herbert had a meal with Su Wan.

"Su, will you leave the Pacers?" he asked.

Su Wan said, "That’s not what I’m considering now, I still have a year on my contract before I can decide my future!"

Herbert shook his head, "No, Su, you should know that if you want to leave, even if you’re under contract, we can only let you go. You have that kind of influence. Just by hinting at it, the media would directly crush Indiana."

Su Wan examined Herbert closely, "Are you saying that all this noise in the media is instigated by me?"

"No, no, no," Herbert continued to shake his head, a more gentle smile on his face, "You’ve misunderstood, Su... I’m just saying that the entire League’s media hopes you will leave Indiana. Your influence... it’s too much for Indiana to handle!"

Su Wan finally understood what Herbert was implying.

"Bearer of the jade incurs guilt"!

Having Su Wan is this small city’s mistake.

Every team has players whose contracts expire in the summer and aren’t renewed. There’re also core players who they watch for another year before deciding whether to renew. However, because the Pacers had Su Wan, such things were magnified infinitely by the media.

If Indiana had the media clout of New York or Los Angeles, perhaps these issues wouldn’t have caused such a frenzy... Well, it’s the media from Los Angeles and New York that are the sources of this instability.

Without their fanning the flames, the Pacers would have had plenty of opportunities to slowly address the current issues.

"Su, I can tell you what I truly think..." Herbert stopped probing, "The Pacers can’t become a team without compassion or principles; that’s fundamental to our standing in Indiana and the League. But without you on the team, I have no hope for the Pacers’ future. But..." freēNovelFire.com

He didn’t continue, but Su Wan understood.

If the team wanted to stay compassionate and also keep Su Wan, then... they’d have to pay the luxury tax!

This is a luxury tax the Pacers can’t recoup, especially not with Herbert bearing the burden.

"I might have to sell the Pacers!"

Su Wan was surprised by this.

It was something he had not anticipated.

But thinking more about it, it was indeed Herbert’s best option.

It got rid of the "hot potato" and allowed the Simon family to have adequate funds to restructure and truly recover from this "subprime crisis."

"I have to thank you, Su, for winning the championship again this year and increasing the team’s market value," Herbert said. "There’s a consortium in contact with us, $350 million, a good price, enough for the Simon family to weather this crisis... When we bought the Pacers, we only spent a few million; it has really been an excellent investment, don’t you think, Su?"

Su Wan said, "I think the future of the NBA might exceed your imagination!"

After saying this, he got up and left.

Herbert watched his figure leaving, his eyes flickering thoughtfully, then he took out his phone and called his assistant: "Tell Steve we can offer them 50% of the team’s shares. This way, they can have operational control of the team. On paper, the team belongs to them. If they’re not satisfied with that... then I’m afraid there’s nothing more we can do!"