NOVEL WEB Chapter 10: Chapter [10]
Chapter 10: New Contract
"David, any advice?" Jordan asked as he sat in the car after facing the media.
"Michael, the Bulls have four games against the Knicks this season. You know what I'm talking about," his agent, David Falk, responded.
"I get it. Beat the Knicks, shut down that rookie, show everyone he's just a flash in the pan. But our first game against them isn't until January 21 next year. That's way too long," Jordan replied, frustration clear in his voice.
"Right now, all we can do is keep the media off your back. Beyond that, not much else," Falk admitted with a helpless shrug.
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On the evening of the 8th, Zhao Dong accompanied his team to the Clippers' home court, Memorial Arena near the University of Southern California.
Before the game, he was pissed. The system didn't assign him a task for the night. It seemed not every game came with a mission, and it was starting to annoy him.
That night, Zhao Dong played 25 minutes on the court, tallying 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, and 4 fouls.
As a rookie, he wasn't getting the ball much. He had to fight for offensive rebounds or rely on fast breaks to get any chance at scoring. Van Gundy's offense still revolved around Ewing, who often passed to Alan Houston, the team's primary scorer. Houston and Ewing were the Knicks' first and second offensive priorities, with Larry Johnson as the third and Oakley as the fourth.
Even though Zhao Dong was filling in for Larry Johnson in the starting lineup, he wasn't even close to being the third offensive option. The team didn't have him involved in their strategy, and he hadn't earned that spot yet.
Zhao Dong had rejected Grant's contract offer because it was a joke. Players like John Wallace and McCarty had contracts like that, and they were performing way worse than him. For Zhao Dong, it wasn't about the money—it was about earning respect and a real role within the team.
He wanted a contract that would make him part of the team's plans, something that would get him more playing time and allow him to develop his skills. Without that, his ability to achieve his goals this season—and prepare for Ewing's injury next season—would be screwed.
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With a record of 4-1, the Knicks flew to Vancouver, Canada, on the 9th to face the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies, fresh out of their expansion season, were still trash. They finished dead last the year before, even though they had the No. 3 pick, forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who showed promise. But still, they were weak as hell.
Once again, Zhao Dong wasn't assigned a system task for the game. His performance was more of the same. He played around the same minutes and had the same lack of opportunities.
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After the team returned to their hotel, General Manager Grant approached Coach Van Gundy to discuss Zhao Dong's role.
"Jeff, where do you see him fitting in?" Grant asked, his voice serious.
Van Gundy thought about it for a second before responding, "Look, once Larry Johnson is back, I plan to use Zhao as his backup and also as Oakley's first substitute. Long-term, I want him to compete with John Starks for the sixth man role."
Grant nodded. He understood Van Gundy's vision. Johnson would obviously reclaim his starting spot when healthy, but the Knicks had a problem: they had invested a shit ton of money in Johnson, and his back was fucked up. If they didn't use him, they'd be wasting their money.
"What do you think about Zhao Dong's potential?" Grant asked, still curious.
Van Gundy didn't sugarcoat it. "He's got great immediate ability, but long-term? I'm not sure. I'm not sold on him yet."
Grant raised an eyebrow. "Are you thinking of offering him a big contract?"
Van Gundy chuckled. "I'm tempted to, but let's see. We don't need to rush. Let him prove it."
Grant wasn't just thinking about Zhao Dong's abilities, though. The Knicks were about to go through a major shift. James Dolan, the owner of Madison Square Garden, was in talks to take over the Knicks, and Grant knew his job could be on the line under new management.
Earlier that year, he had brought in Larry Johnson and rejected a trade that could've swapped Ewing for O'Neal. Now, with things up in the air, Grant was ready to take another gamble. At this point, it wasn't his money on the line—so why not take a chance?
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On the morning of the 11th, the Knicks boarded a private plane back to New York. Zhao Dong's ten-day short-term contract had officially expired, and the tension was thick in the air.
As the plane cruised, Grant sat next to Zhao Dong, who felt the nerves building up. He knew what this moment meant. If the Knicks offered him a real contract, it wasn't just about the money. It would mean more playing time, more chances to score, and a bigger role on the team.
For Zhao Dong, the stakes were clear. He needed to lock down his position on the team, not only to take advantage of his current skills but to ensure he had the opportunities to grow.
Grant, on the other hand, was betting on Zhao Dong's hunger. The kid was clearly willing to bet on himself, and Grant figured, why not? It could pay off if Zhao Dong kept performing at a high level.
For a rookie, the key to making it big wasn't just about long-term potential. It was about getting the minutes, the shots, and the right opportunities. That's what Zhao Dong needed now to keep moving forward. If they offered him a basic contract, though, it would show they didn't believe in his future. And without that belief, his rise within the team would be a hell of a lot harder.
"Zhao, what do you see as your role with this team?" Grant asked, holding off on the contract for now.
Zhao Dong hesitated. He wanted to say something bold, like how he was going to be the team's leader, but he didn't want to scare Grant off. After a pause, he said, "My goal? I want to be like Jordan—and then kick his ass."
Grant's jaw dropped. He stared at Zhao Dong, unsure if he had just heard that correctly.
Realizing he might have gone too far, Zhao Dong quickly added, "Look, extend my ten-day contract. Give me more time, more shots, and I'll show you I'm worth it. After that, you can decide."
Grant just shrugged, though he knew what was coming. Several teams were already circling Zhao Dong. Even Pat Riley had made inquiries. There was no time to waste. If Grant waited too long, another team would scoop him up.
Grant pulled out a contract and handed it over. "Take a look. It's comparable to what the top five picks get—just a bit less than Camby or Iverson."
Zhao Dong's heart raced. Top five? His eyes practically sparkled as he opened the contract. The terms were incredible: a 3+1 deal worth $10.5 million, with $1.9 million in the first year, $2.25 million in the second, $2.85 million in the third, and $3.5 million in the fourth, which was a team option.
Zhao Dong felt a surge of satisfaction. This was it. A real contract that reflected his potential. It was a redemption of sorts for not being drafted.
"Okay, Mr. Grant," Zhao Dong said, a confident grin spreading across his face, "Once we land in New York and I get an agent, we can finalize everything."
"Good. I knew you'd be happy with it," Grant said with a smile.
This was Grant's decision, and he didn't consult anyone else. The results, good or bad, would fall squarely on his shoulders. But in his mind, this was a calculated risk worth taking. A four-year contract, without even needing to give up a second-round pick? Hell yeah.
After parting ways with Zhao Dong, Grant went to sit beside Van Gundy in the front row.
"Jeff, let's talk about Zhao Dong's role," Grant said, a grin on his face.
Now that he had committed to Zhao Dong, he was ready to make it work. More playing time, more shots, and a real role in the team's strategy.
"You're really giving him a big contract?" Van Gundy asked, clearly surprised.
Grant nodded. "Yeah. He's the future. Unlike Johnson, Zhao Dong's got what it takes."
Van Gundy studied him carefully. He understood the message. Grant was asking him to prioritize Zhao Dong over Johnson, despite Johnson's hefty contract.
"I need time to evaluate both," Van Gundy said after a moment. "I'll promote whoever is more efficient."
Grant agreed, knowing that if Zhao Dong outperformed Johnson in efficiency, he'd have no problem giving the rookie more minutes.
The irony wasn't lost on Grant. He had spent a fortune on Larry Johnson and now was thinking of sidelining him in favor of Zhao Dong. But to Grant, the team's future came first, and Zhao Dong represented a brighter future.
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