Buy out of the maximum salary! I hope to join Harden with the basic salary, form the Big Three, and win the championship again after leaving the Rockets

Editor|Old Kankanqiu

The NBA free market in July is calm. Compared with the popularity in June, it shows that the reinforcement work of the teams in the league has basically ended. So far, the Rockets are the biggest winners in the trading market this summer. While renewing the contract with core main players such as Jabbarri Smith, VanVleet, and Adams at a low price, they also introduced key reinforcements such as Durant, Finney Smith, and Capela without any bloodshed, instantly becoming the biggest favorite to compete for the championship in the new season; the Nuggets are not inferior. With the league's number one player Jokic, the new general manager has successively traded and obtained the championship puzzles such as Cameron Johnson, Bruce Brown, Hardaway Jr., Valanciunas, etc., and their strength has increased significantly next season and has also entered the first echelon of the league.

Therefore, the "Big Fish" in the league's free market has basically been settled, and only players such as Gidey (restricted), Bill (restricted), Kumingga (restricted), Horford, Paul, Westbrook, Cam Thomas, Grimes, Ben Simmons can find the bargain. According to the latest report by US media ESPN famous reporter Shams, the Phoenix Suns have reached an agreement with three-time All-Star guard Bradley Bill's maximum salary buyout agreement, with only the specific implementation details. The 31-year-old star player will give up his $14 million salary in his contract, freeing up salary space for the Suns, and winning himself free.

It is reported that the Suns' management's departure operation of Bill has many similarities with the previous Bucks' operation of sacking Lillard. The team also adopted a rare "extended clause" to redistribute Bill's remaining two-year max salary contract of $104 million. After negotiation, the team allocated the remaining amount to the next five years, accounting for only about $18 million in salary space each year, winning room for operation for the next strengthening.

Insiders revealed that the reason why Bill's team agreed to buy out is actually because they value the business returns brought by joining the championship team. His endorsement contract contains the incentive clause for winning the championship. If he can win the championship, his long-term benefits will far exceed immediate losses. More importantly, on July 16, Bill will still receive a 25% advance payment next season (about $13 million).

Subsequently, according to multiple sources of US media, Bill is likely to join the Clippers with a veteran minimum salary contract, forming the Los Angeles' "new Big Three" with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. At the moment when the Western arms race is in full swing, if this signing can be completed successfully, it will instantly push the Clippers to the first echelon of the championship.

In fact, when the news of Bill's buyout came out, many teams including the Lakers, 76ers, Heat and other teams were interested in introducing this former superstar. The 76ers can even provide a full middle-class special case of $12.9 million, far exceeding the Clippers' offer, but the reason why Bill chose the Clippers was that in addition to his personal relationship with Harden, the latter could also help him regain his value. Clippers boss Ballmer has admitted that the offensive system will be built with Bill as the core in the new season.

When the Clippers management resolutely sent out the quasi-All-star performance last season, it already showed that the team system reserved a place for Bill. Data shows that when Harden attracted double teams, Powell averaged 26 points per game, with a shooting percentage of 50% + 48%; when Harden was restricted, Powell's data dropped sharply to 17 points + 41% shooting percentage of 2. With Bill's scoring ability far surpassing Powell, he can usher in an explosion of efficiency around Harden.

If Bill can finally successfully join the Clippers, the five starting tigers of the Clippers will soon surface: Harden (point guard), Bill (point guard), Leonard (small forward), Collins (big forward), and Zubac (center forward). This lineup has both offense and defense, and each position has star-level firepower.

Previously, the Clippers exchanged Powell for the Jazz for Collins. Although the score was low, it could be regarded as a masterpiece. Last season, Collins averaged 18.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, making him a space-type fourth position with a 40% three-point shooting percentage. Previously, due to the lack of a large number four position, Leonard was forced to defend the power forward, resulting in frequent injuries. Now the return of the position will greatly reduce its losses, and this transaction is absolutely worth the money.

The bench is also hidden: Batum, Jones Jr., Bogdanovic and Dunn form an amazing second team. The Clippers also retain a $5.35 million middle-class exception and are chasing Chris Paul to strengthen the point guard depth. If you stay healthy, the Clippers will immediately enter the first echelon of the championship.

"Bill will regain his former glory by Harden." The famous reporter McMahon asserted in an interview.

I have to say that after leaving the Rockets, Harden's road to championship competition has been bumpy. The Nets' Big Three disbanded, the 76ers' Big Three was forced to dismantle the team, and the old Big Three of the Clippers are incompatible. Harden, who is now 36 years old, is walking at the crossroads of championship competition again. Will there be a different result this time?