Chapter 168 Offer Contract

After signing the offer contract with the Pelicans, the Spurs received the news immediately.

Now the only thing for them to do is whether or not to match.

Popovich and Buford were in Holt's manor at this time, sitting on the sofa that formed a ninety-degree angle across a table.

This scene was familiar. Last season, they had sat together like this more than once.

Popovich's expression was calm, Buford was slightly nervous, and Holt frowned.

"A four-year contract is indeed difficult to deal with."

Buford was a little apprehensive when he spoke.

At last year's trade deadline, they could have traded Tang Tian for Parsons, which would have been better than letting Tang Tian go for nothing as they were now.

But then again, if they had made such a trade, the Spurs would most likely have lost to the Heat in the Finals and would not have been able to complete their back-to-back championships.

"That damn guy, does he really think he's an All-Star?!"

Holt looked very angry.

A four-year contract, with a max salary in the last two years, unless the Spurs were determined to establish Tang Tian as their next-generation core player, they would definitely not be able to match the contract.

"Ahem, Tang has made a great contribution to the team's championship in the past two years."

Popovich admired Tang Tian very much. Hearing Holt say this, he spoke up to defend his disciple.

"Then what do you say we should do?"

Holt glanced at Popovich unhappily.

In the end, it was Popovich who agreed to the two-year contract, which led to the current situation.

Originally, last season, he wanted Popovich to keep suppressing Tang Tian's playing time to avoid this situation.

But in the end, Popovich washed his hands of the matter and threw the mess to the team management.

And now he still had the nerve to defend Tang Tian!

"Just match the contract."

Popovich said the most direct way.

"It doesn't matter if Tim doesn't retire next year. He's 37 this year, and his contract ends when he's 39. Tang Tian's contract will just pick up where his leaves off."

Popovich continued, seemingly having studied the situation clearly with Buford.

"And then let a player with no independent offensive ability be our core? Gregg, are you getting senile?"

Holt was even angrier after hearing what Popovich said.

"I think Tang still has the potential to develop independent offensive ability, he..." Buford opened his mouth.

"You think? What if he can't? What will we do then? Will you take responsibility?!"

Before Buford could finish speaking, Holt questioned him directly.

Buford shut his mouth, then wanted to slap himself. Why did he have to pick up the conversation?

Popovich didn't speak at this time. Although Tang Tian said it with great confidence, no one could really guarantee that Tang Tian could develop ball-handling ability.

Even in his 20-plus years of coaching career, he had seen ball-handling ability constantly improve, but he had never seen a player develop it from scratch.

It was like never seeing a big man who couldn't pass the ball suddenly become a playmaking master.

"And have you considered that Leonard's contract also expires in two years?" Holt continued to ask.

"Compared to Tang, he has ball-handling ability, his physical condition is better, and his ceiling is higher. Are you planning to sign Tang to a max contract and then let him go?"

Popovich and Buford didn't say anything.

What Holt raised was indeed a big problem. Tang Tian's poison pill contract would enter its max salary stage in two years, and Leonard's four-year rookie contract would also end then.

The Spurs couldn't offer two max contracts at the same time to keep wing players unless they threw away the entire GDP (Ginobili, Duncan, Parker).

But that was simply unrealistic, not to mention that they would soon have to solve the contract renewal issues of Ginobili and Splitter.

So Holt's thinking was very clear: they simply couldn't match the four-year contract without paying luxury tax.

Of course, there was another way: use him for two years, then trade Tang Tian in the last two years.

But a max-salary role player wasn't someone you could just send away.

Seeing that Popovich and Buford were not saying anything, Holt sighed, stood up, and sat down next to Popovich.

"Gregg, I know Tang has made a great contribution to this team, and you have a good relationship with him, but you've been here for over 20 years, and you know the team's situation very well. We can't afford a high luxury tax. This is a business, and we have to make a choice between emotion and business."

Popovich sighed after listening.

Actually, no one was right or wrong here.

Tang Tian had his own pursuit, and the team had its own pressure.

If they were in Los Angeles or New York, this kind of thing would never have happened.

"And think about it, we still have Leonard, and we still have Green, and Manu can still play. Our wings are enough. If it really doesn't work, let RC (R.C. Buford) go to the market and find a substitute. The team's strength won't be reduced by much."

Holt saw that Popovich had listened to his words, and then said in a lower tone.

Popovich nodded.

Under Holt's combination of soft and hard words, he could only choose to compromise.

Reality was right in front of him, and it wasn't something a head coach could control.

And what Holt said was indeed reasonable. Although Tang Tian left, Leonard and Green meant the Spurs' wings were still very strong.

Coming out of Holt's manor, Popovich was staring at the scenery outside the car in a daze.

After today, there would be no kid who loved to drink red wine as much as he did to drink with him.

Back home, he went straight to his basement and started rummaging through his collection.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

Popovich's daughter Jill came down after seeing that he had been down there for a long time without coming back up.

"Where's my 1874 Jefferson wine?"

He asked without turning his head.

"When did you ever have an 1874 Jefferson wine?"

Jill said in confusion. She had never heard Popovich mention it.

"I did, I drank it with Tim back then."

Popovich was still rummaging.

"Back then? That guy Tim drinks wine?"

Jill felt even more confused. She really didn't remember this happening.

"Yeah, 2000, he wanted to go to Orlando at the time, and he only agreed to stay after I drank Jefferson wine with him."

Popovich turned around and said at this time.

Jill was speechless for a while. 2000? That was 13 years ago. Who would remember where it was placed?

"What are you looking for it for?"

Jill saw that her old man was determined to find it, so she came over to help.

"I'm looking for it... to drink with someone."

Popovich paused and said.

"That old guy Manu wants to leave the team?"

Jill said in surprise.

If she remembered correctly, Ginobili's contract was just expiring this year.

And the only one who could make Popovich use that level of wine would be Ginobili.

"No, it's a kid, a good kid."

Popovich said with a smile.