Giving up the beauty of Mount Cook, Henson rushed back to the United States as fast as he could.

Chris. Paul, this is definitely one of Henson's favourite players. Paul was willing to take the plunge to accompany him to Indianapolis, and Henson was very happy and grateful. After all, the Pacers at that time had nothing to do with the word championship. Paul, however, resolutely chose to trust himself.

Everyone likes to feel trusted.

Henson remembers that he had just been eliminated by the Chicago Bulls. At that time, his main competitor, the Los Angeles Clippers, was sitting on Griffin, a super champion.

What sparks would Paul have had if he had really partnered with Griffin? Henson doesn't know. All he knew was that Paul's appearance instantly turned the Pacers into a championship-caliber team. And once this championship is won, it is five.

Among the "Dust Four", Wade has a ring, James only has a ring, and Anthony has never played in the finals in his life. And Chris. Paul, he's got a championship ring on one of his hands!

People say it was Henson and the Pacers who made Paul what made him. Without these five championships, Paul would not be where he is today. But Henson believes that it was Paul who made himself and the Pacer who made him.

It's easy to go from 1 to 2 and from 2 to 3. But going from 0 to 1, from nothing, is very difficult.

If it weren't for Paul, the Pacers might not have been able to become a championship-caliber team. If you can't win the first crown, the subsequent operations will not be so smooth.

As a result, Henson has always regarded Paul as the team's treasure. As long as he's there, the Pacers' locker room will never be messy. As long as he's on the court, Henson doesn't have to worry too much about the Pacers' offense.

He and Paul had a very good understanding, and sometimes Henson would say a few random words, and Paul would know what to do. They work closely together, and they are considered the smartest point guards plus the smartest coaches.

Now, however, all that beauty may be dying.

"Boss, I heard you've been camping these days? Which place? ”

When Henson entered Paul's home in Indianapolis, it was empty. Haunted to admit it, Henson guessed that Paul should have moved most of his furniture to Houston......

"New Zealand, have you seen The Lord of the Rings? I went to the filming location in the movie. Henson replied lightly, and then sat down on the couch as if he were at home.

"Really? I also bring my family over to play when I have time. ”

"Chris, how much did they bid?" Henson did not continue to greet Paul, who was well aware of the purpose of Henson's visit.

Last season, Paul was still one of the league's best point guards. However, due to injuries and other reasons, Paul's performance has seen a significant decline.

In May of this year, Paul was 33 years old. As a veteran, and a veteran who can see a dip in form, Henson doesn't think any team should take the risk of giving Paul a max contract.

This summer, the Pacers offered Paul a four-year contract worth an average of $15 million a year. Although it is not the maximum salary, under the current salary structure of the Pacers, this is already the greatest sincerity.

Therefore, Henson originally thought that the Rockets would not offer too high salaries. But when Paul said the price of the Rockets, Henson was silent.

"160 million in 4 years, they give me the highest salary."

Henson swallowed his saliva and gave a 33-year-old veteran with declining form a salary, Morey is desperate! 160 million in 4 years, an annual salary of 40 million US dollars a year! Even for Paul, this was an astronomical amount!

And how big a gap is between 40 million a year and 15 million a year, Henson believes that elementary school students can see it.

Henson was originally going to keep Paul, and if the salary gap was not large, Henson also planned to play the family card to keep Paul.

But in front of 160 million, Henson thinks all his rhetoric is selfish.

He also told Paul last summer, "If a team is willing to give you a salary, I will never stop you." ”

The manager has to pursue championships and results, but the players also have the right to pursue their own happiness.

With the last four years of his $160 million contract, Paul can also think about retirement. At least later in his career, he didn't have to worry about his survival. Look at Anthony, who is still uncared for, and then look at how miserable Wade is. Paul has this opportunity to sign with a salary cap, and Henson has no reason to stand in the way.

"Boss, I actually...... I was reluctant to leave. Indianapolis is pretty much my second home, and I've had some of the best part of my career. But as you said, basketball isn't all there is to life. Thinking about it, I really need this contract very much. And the Rockets are also a Western team, so I don't have to fight you directly. ”

"Hmm...... Basketball is not the be-all and every other thing of life. Go, Chris, go after what you want. You've done enough for Indianapolis, and I have no reason to stop you. ”

"Hahaha, I'm sure that's not the main purpose of your visit today."

"Yes, my purpose was to keep you. I just didn't expect it...... The Rockets bid too hard. Henson spread his hands, "But I still have to say sorry to you, Chris." We chose to renew George instead of you......"

"Don't be sorry, renewing George is the best option for the team. Besides," Paul smirked, "George didn't take as much as I did." ”

Henson smiled and waved his hand, I have to say that the price of 160 million in 4 years is indeed a bit scary.

There will certainly be a lot of people who say Paul is signing a premium contract, but in this period, Paul is the only option for the Rockets. So, they chased Paul as hard as they could, and there was nothing wrong with them.

Morey is not a fool, and there is no way a fool can sit in the position of general manager of the Rockets for so many years.

"By the way, I'm leaving, do you have a replacement for me?"

As soon as Paul's words came out, Henson was just a little better, and his mood was gloomy again.

He didn't answer, but shook his head silently. Chris. Paul's replacement is so easy to find.

※※※

On July 8, 2018, just over a week after the free agent market opened, the Houston Rockets dropped a nuclear bomb on the league.

"Chris. Paul signed a 4-year, 160 million contract with the Rockets, and the league's most extravagant guard line combination was released! ”

"Chris. Paul switched to the Rockets, and the relationship between Henson and Paul broke down? ”

"The rocket fuel is sufficient, and it is bound to take off next season!"

"Without the best point guard, will the Pacers be able to defend their title and build a second dynasty?"

The overwhelming reports let fans around the world know the news of Paul's switch to the Rockets for the first time, and on the Indianapolis side, half of the fans wished Paul success in the future. The other half of the younger fans began to burn Paul's jersey in the streets.

But that's a misunderstanding that a professional player should bear. Didn't Iverson say that? "If one day I die, I will engrave a misunderstanding on my tombstone".

Paul's transfer was talked about by fans. But Henson and Bird didn't react because they had known the outcome for a long time.

"You mean, you didn't even try to keep him?" Bird sat in his office, watching the news of Paul's departure, somewhat heartbroken.

"There's no need for that, Bird, that's 160 million, 160 million!" Henson shook his head, the current salary in the NBA league is really scary.

You must know that Kobe's total salary in the NBA for 20 years is only more than 320 million, and Paul's contract is almost half of Kobe's career income combined.

"So, who do you think we should be in charge of next season? Oladipo? Brogdon? ”

"That's what I'm struggling with right now, Bird. Truth be told, I don't have a perfect Paul replacement in mind right now. This last lap for both of us this summer, it's going to be really hard, Bird. ”

Henson covered his forehead in anguish, it seemed like he hadn't bothered about the summer reinforcement for a long time.