The fallen leaves have returned to three places, Westbrook is still waiting for the wind - the last stubborn back of the free market

1. Even the contract is warm at 2:00 a.m., Trail Blazers General Manager Cronin sent the three-year, 42 million electronic contract to Lillard's mailbox. There is another line of handwritten notes at the end of the file: third year player options + trade veto. Lillard replied with a "OK" and immediately sent the screenshot to his wife - their family of six settled in Portland. The youngest child had just entered elementary school and the school district room was just ten minutes walk in the arena.

On the same night, Paul received a call from Frank (President of the Clippers) at his home in Los Angeles: 3.6 million yuan per year, with a substitute position, Harden has agreed. Paul hung up the phone, walked into the garage, lifted the gray Clippers No. 1 jersey, and the scene when he wore it for the first time ten years ago seemed like yesterday.

2. In Westbrook's summer, only "unread" messages

The missed calls on Westbrook's phone stay on June 30th - the Nuggets management reminded him to implement the deadline for the final year's 4 million player option. He chose to jump out, because he "want to rush again." Then, the list of messages never appeared again:

- The magician who needed point guard chose the young man;

- The Mavericks, who lacked the firepower of the bench, signed veteran Dinwiddie with basic salary;

- Even the Bulls, who have been rumored to have a scandal, quietly exchanged the deal for Brother Ball.

Westbrook sent the training hall address to the agent, appearing on time at 10 am every day and practicing strength at 3 pm. The trainer filmed a video of his three-pointer shot in INS, with the caption "There is 95% of the fuel tank", but the highest praise in the comment area was: "Brother, which team gives the contract?"

3. Data and resume, discounted in front of the market

Open Westbrook's report card last year:

Regular season - 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals, with a real shooting percentage of 54.8%, the league's substitute point guard;

Playoffs - 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists, with an assist rate of 27% every 36 minutes, second only to Jokic.

Read the honor book again: 9 All-Stars, 2 Scoring King, 3 Assistant King, 75th Big, Olympic Gold Medal... However, the Excel table on the table of the general managers of each team is even colder:

- Age 36 years old;

- Three-point shooting percentage is 30.4%;

- The ball possession rate is as high as 26%, and the purely unball-free role is not accepted.

So the "hot cake" became "re-evaluation".

4. There is only the last quota for the fallen leaves to return to their roots. The only guards who can name them on the list are Westbrook.

- Lillard has taken root back to Portland;

- Paul leaves the last season to Los Angeles;

- Westbrook is gambled: he doesn't want to play a bad team with a basic salary, nor does he want to accept the positioning of "third point guard".

The trainers around him have calculated that in his current state, playing for another two years is not a problem, but the NBA clock is not tolerant of the 36-year-old guard.

5. Conclusion

Some people sign the contract in the early morning and some say goodbye late at night.

Westbrook's 18th season may only be one call or never.

The veteran is not dead, just waiting for the last gust of wind in the free market.

Welcome to participate in the discussion.