Therefore, whenever the contract of the team's star players is about to expire, it will cause a storm in the city, because the team should be wary of other teams to grab people besides renewing their contracts.
The first means of retention is of course huge annual salary, and the most striking example is of course Michael Jordan. When Jordan's contract was about to expire, countless teams in the league threw olive branches at him, and some even offered an annual salary of $25 million, which was absolutely sky-high in that year. In order to keep Jordan, the Bulls were forced to offer an unprecedented annual salary of $30 million. You know, lebron james's annual salary in 2020 is only $36 million, and Jordan got this salary 20 years ago.
In addition to salary increase, NBA teams will even use all their resources to keep their stars. Lebron james's contract with the Cavaliers reached its final year two years ago, and James has made it clear that he wants to go to LA. At that time, the knight's lobbying was fruitless, so he had to ask the local mayor of Cleveland to persuade him. At that time, the mayor also specially held a live speech and asked James not to leave. Although it failed in the end, the mayor's move caused quite a stir in the local area.
The Clippers' way of retaining stars is also unique. When Jordan's contract was about to expire, although the team had promised a raise, Jordan offered to leave the team. As the big brother of the team, Paul and Griffin went to Jordan's house to lobby, and finally even the head coach Rivers appeared in Jordan's mansion. The four of them drank all night, which persuaded little Jordan to stay.
Of course, NBA teams often can't stay, such as Anthony who left the Nuggets that year. Melon is an important member of the golden generation in 2003. As a newcomer to the league, he is no less talented than James. Although the Nuggets enter the playoffs almost every year, they always stop in the first round, and the best result is only the first in the West. For Anthony, leaving Nuggets for new york, on the one hand, it is of commercial value, on the other hand, it is to form the Big Three to hit the championship.
Leonard, who only spent a year in the Raptors, was also treated well. After leading the team to win the championship, Leonard suddenly became the darling of the city and the media. In order to keep Leonard in the team, the Raptors even took the key to the villa directly in front of Leonard. As long as he promised to sign the contract, the key was immediately presented in both hands. It's a pity that Leonard insisted on leaving and no one could stop him.