One Year Left to Play-Chapter 98 - 31: Cunning to the Point of Being Demonic

Some spiteful ones even hinted at the prospect of him going undrafted...

At that time, Zhang Hao tried to minimize the pressure from external negativity, so he didn’t pay attention, but he was always aware of these things.

Thanks to the limited channels of information dissemination in those days, he finally understood why in the future information explosion era, young players would crumble under pressure so easily.

Lying on the bed, Zhang Hao looked at the ceiling, which was much more exquisite than the one in last night’s hotel. He got up, went to Pierce’s side, and pinched him.

"FXXXX... Aix, what are you doing!"

"I was seeing if I was dreaming. Does it hurt a lot? Then it’s not a dream."

"Oh... you were checking if it’s a dream, huh? If it hurts a lot, it’s definitely not a dream... Wait, you pinched me to see if it’s a dream? Why not pinch yourself?"

"Pinching myself would hurt a lot!"

"..."

Pierce felt a twinge in his heart, couldn’t get angry, this guy was getting more and more annoying! Getting into a tiff with him would drive one mad!

However, seeing Zhang Hao act silly like this... Pierce was really happy for Zhang Hao, the 9th pick! If he participated in the draft in the future, what pick could he be?

Probably not that high... It’s indeed far beyond expectations. At that time, they prepared aiming for the first round, focusing their investigation on the 16th to 29th pick range, not expecting to be selected so high.

Compared to Zhang Hao’s impulsiveness when he first applied for the draft, both Pierce and Aprile Clark thought Zhang Hao’s goal should be in the lower half of the first round, never expecting the 9th pick.

Not acceptable! I have to work harder in college, must be picked higher than this guy!

Pierce has one more motivating factor to work hard.

Throwing aside feelings of envy, Pierce returned to his true self: "Aix, being picked in the first round makes you a millionaire, right? I think you should find an agent; you’re about to negotiate a contract with the Brooklyn Nets, be careful not to get duped. I’ve heard if you don’t have an agent, the Players’ Union will get a lawyer to help you, but it seems like apart from rookie contract negotiations, later you’ll have to pay the lawyer fees yourself; it’s very expensive. It’s better to find an agent...

By the way, who’s on the Brooklyn Nets? I remember there’s Coleman and Anderson."

"Anderson?"

"Kenny Anderson, last season’s All-Star starting point guard, excellent at passing."

"Oh..."

"I thought you’d be picked by the Lakers, didn’t expect you’d be gone by the 9th pick; cooperating with Anderson should be better than with Van Exel..."

Pierce began worrying again, entering chattery mode, and Zhang Hao responded perfunctorily.

He also thought it was time to find an agent, but no one had contacted him, mainly because there was no way to reach him, even Xinhuanet reporters couldn’t get to him...

He’s not like Garnett, who was highly hyped throughout his senior year. He was just one of those 100 or so top high schoolers across 50 states in the US, gaining fame only from the McDonald’s Slam Dunk Contest.

But now, being selected, it’s presumed that as soon as he calls for someone, a bunch of calls will come in.

No rush on this, he likely won’t start demanding a billion like Glenn Robinson or Kidd did. After their antics in ’94, the NBA set rules on rookie contract salaries, though not perfect, it won’t result in bizarre situations like a top pick getting a 10-year $68 million contract, the second pick 9 years at $60 million, and the third pick only wanting to sign a 1-year contract and by sophomore season demanding a 5-year $34 million deal.

Supposedly, it was these guys that stressed Pippen to sleeplessness.

After the draft, Zhang Hao had already met Brooklyn Nets’ GM Bobby Marx and head coach Butch Bird. They sent a car to help Zhang Hao and Pierce move their luggage to another hotel, and scheduled a formal meeting after breakfast the next morning.

Why the Brooklyn Nets picked him, he planned to research slowly in the future; for now, he was quite reassured that the Brooklyn Nets were unlikely to trade him. He believed being selected in this position, the Brooklyn Nets couldn’t sell him even if they tried...

Anyway, as Pierce said, he was instantly a millionaire!

Last summer, both labor and management made concessions, rookie contracts’ highest salary had a limit, but the guaranteed contract rule was also laid down. Though not perfect, it ensured first-round picks could at least get 3-year guaranteed contracts. Zhang Hao was very excited.

The issue now wasn’t about money, salaries were secured, it was about how to live to an old age.

One must first stay alive, otherwise no amount of money would matter!

A thought crossed his mind, and there was a subtitle prompt.

Having been confused by the Brooklyn Nets before, he hadn’t checked immediately; now he needed a good look.

"Special contract player Zhang Hao was selected 9th overall in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft, task: talent acquisition completed.

Congratulations to the host for receiving a reward: 1 Golden Gift Package."

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