Chapter 185 Jokic

Shaqtin' a Fool was a good adjustment during training, but most of the time, Tang Tian focused his energy on training his fadeaway.

From the beginning of his practice until now, including the time in China, he had practiced his fadeaway more than five thousand times.

Thank goodness he had good waist strength, otherwise he would definitely be finished after such training.

The benefit of this high-intensity training was that, although he couldn't guarantee a sufficient shooting percentage yet, his technique was already there.

If he continued at this intensity, just like McGrady's dry pull-up before, when he exchanged for Kobe's fadeaway, it would be a natural progression.

At this time, there was only one week left before the Pelicans' new season training camp started, and Tang Tian also arrived at the arena early to prepare for the training camp.

He wasn't the first one to arrive. Davis and Holiday had both arrived early. These two guys were very unconvinced when they lost last season, and they were eager to prove themselves in the new season.

Davis practiced low-post techniques, and Holiday practiced three-pointers. Although there were few people, the training content was very targeted.

Besides them, there was another person, the team's general manager, Demps, who also came.

He was there to find Tang Tian.

"Jokic's buyout fee is going to be 1 million, and his weight has reached 135 kilograms. Our preliminary plan is to have him stay in Serbia for another year, and also lose weight while he's there."

In order to protect the interests of overseas teams, according to NBA rules, the maximum buyout fee a team can offer for overseas players who still have contracts is 500,000 US dollars, and the remaining part must be paid by the players themselves.

Several well-known NBA players, such as Pau Gasol, paid Barcelona 1.65 million US dollars for his buyout fee, and Rubio also delayed his landing in the NBA for a year due to a buyout fee as high as 3 million US dollars.

And the most expensive one was Mirotic, who landed with the Bulls this year, and he paid a full 3 million US dollars himself.

Moreover, the team must not offset this fee in any form, and will be severely punished if discovered.

"Jokic must come this season. Losing weight will be faster here (in the NBA), and he will bring irreplaceable help to the team."

Tang Tian said firmly. He was busy with training and his trip to China before, and he didn't expect that Demps hadn't settled Jokic's matter yet.

"I'll communicate with him again."

Demps changed his tone after hearing the firmness in Tang Tian's tone.

"If he doesn't have the money, I'll pay it. He must come this season."

Tang Tian emphasized again that if Jokic couldn't come after all this trouble, it would really be a waste of effort.

In addition to Jokic, there was also a guaranteed contract signing about Aminu.

The Pelicans did not consider Aminu as a priority for renewal, and Aminu also tested the free agent market.

As a result, he was almost ignored. In the end, the Pelicans signed him back with a two-year, six million contract with a team option.

This signing was pretty good.

Aminu's development of three-pointers failed last season, but if he can develop them later, he will be more than enough to play as a substitute for the third and fourth positions.

But in this way, the team has 15 guaranteed contracts, and it will be a bit difficult for Tyler Johnson to stay.

But this is the NBA, even the 15th person is not so easy to compete for.

With the training camp about to start, the filming of *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* was about to begin in Los Angeles.

Tang Tian sent Olsen to the crew.

In the crew, Tang Tian saw Yates again, and the two chatted for a while.

While they were chatting, he noticed someone was looking at him, and when he turned his head, he noticed that Watson was also there.

After Watson was discovered by Tang Tian, she smiled at him, and then turned and walked away calmly.

"She values this sequel very much."

Yates explained.

Tang Tian nodded, not thinking too much about it.

When he came back from the crew, the Pelicans' training camp had officially started.

Holiday, Tang Tian, Ariza, Davis, Whiteside;

Cole, Gordon, Morrow, Aminu, Teletovic, Jokic;

Dinwiddie, Evans, Jeff Withey, Sheved, Tyler Johnson, Metta World Peace, Patrick Young;

15 guaranteed contracts plus 3 non-guaranteed contracts, a total of 18 people all appeared in the training camp.

The loss last season made the players unwilling, and they all looked forward to making a comeback in the new season.

Also in the training camp, Tang Tian met the team's new recruits.

Ariza looked very introverted, but he took the initiative to speak to Tang Tian when he saw him.

And the content of the chat was Kobe.

In high school and college, and even when he first entered the NBA, Ariza seemed to be a typical problem player, lazy in training, stubborn, and rebelling against coaches…

If it weren't for his outstanding physical talent, it would be difficult for him to survive in the NBA.

And the person who changed him was Kobe.

During his time with the Lakers, Ariza apprenticed to Kobe. Kobe gave him a set of methods to improve his mid-range and long-range shots, and also taught him how to become a professional player.

After staying with the Lakers for two years, he completely changed. He was positive and motivated in training, and his attitude towards the game also completely changed.

This also allowed him to eventually transform from a problem player into a top 3&D player.

Ariza knew that Tang Tian had a good relationship with Kobe, which brought them a lot closer.

Dinwiddie looked very humble, taking the initiative to open doors for his teammates, and also taking the initiative to help buy donuts and carry bags for everyone.

This guy was the kind of player who made people feel comfortable getting along with him.

Regardless of whether he can make it in the future, this kind of player will have good popularity in the team.

Teletovic was a standard European white player character, loved to laugh, was good at communication, and seamlessly integrated into the team.

Jokic, Demps was average in other aspects, but his efficiency was indeed good.

When the training camp started, Jokic also came.

He was now white and fat, and looked like a mobile meat tower, completely comparable to when Gasol Jr. came to the NBA.

Also from Europe, but compared to Teletovic, he was much more shy, like he was still a big boy.

"Tang, thank you, Mr. Demps told me that you were willing to help me with the buyout."

Jokic came up to Tang Tian with some shyness.

Tang Tian smiled and reached out to touch Jokic's head.

Demps' words were very appropriate, which was equivalent to him taking a younger brother in advance.

Jokic smiled and didn't dodge.

Tang Tian was overjoyed.

Davis didn't let him touch his head after listening to Gordon last season, and this newcomer Jokic was filling this gap!

The players were chatting in the locker room, and the door was pushed open after a while.

The team's head coach Williams and assistant coach Borrego both came.

"Guys, our goal for the new season is the championship, let's get started!"

Williams came up and said directly to the players with great pride.

Last season, the Pelicans played the Grizzlies to Game 7, and the Grizzlies played the Spurs to Game 7, and the Spurs lost 2-4 to the Heat.

Judging from the results of the games and their offseason reinforcements, the championship is their goal this season!