He Xi Meng politely accepted the photo with its dazzling lights and alluring pose, promising to call that evening. As soon as he turned, he handed the picture to Cui Pangzi to shred.
If Kayla found out about such photos at home, would He Xi Meng still be able to live?
"No! Don't shred it! It's so artistic. If you don't want it, give it to me!" John lunged forward and snatched the artistic photos from Cui Tianci's hands. "We should appreciate these photos with a critical eye!"
"Cui Pangzi, remember to tell Jill about this matter..."
"Dross! Pure dross," John's expression changed instantly. "Photos of such low quality are best sent to the shredder immediately, right away, now..."
"Los Angeles, truly a place of mystery!" Seeing the endless stream of beauties being brought to him, Cui Pangzi, as He Xi Meng's assistant, couldn't help but sigh.
"Not just a mystery, but a paradise!" John added with a whistle.
"If you have money and power, Los Angeles is indeed a paradise. But if you're poor and have no status, then Los Angeles will devour you without spitting out the bones..."
Unlike John, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, He Xi Meng had witnessed the common sights and sounds of big cities. He knew that all big cities had both a sunny and a dark side. Big cities were never just paradises.
After musing on this magical city, the three of them strode to the top floor of the Lakers' club.
This was the office of Lakers owner Jerry Buss and the team's current helmsman, Jerry West.
Today, owner Buss and General Manager Jerry West had summoned He Xi Meng to discuss his contract renewal.
Although the summer window had not yet opened, as one of the most important players for the Lakers this season, He Xi Meng's contract renewal was one of the most critical tasks for the Lakers' management this summer, as important as Kobe's renewal.
He Xi Meng had intentionally brought John and Cui Tianci along. The former was He Xi Meng's nominal agent, and the latter was his nominal assistant. In reality, both were more like He Xi Meng's good friends. When it came to contract matters, He Xi Meng was likely more professional and knowledgeable than John and Cui Tianci.
Pushing open the door to Jerry Buss's luxurious office, He Xi Meng was quite surprised to see another prominent socialite of Los Angeles, Jeanie!
As the eldest daughter of the Buss family, Jeanie was now 38 years old, still in her prime. Unlike her younger sister, (“Janie” - likely a typo for Linda or other sibling not Linda but Jenny Buss the subject) whom she shared the same parents with, Jeanie was passionate about socializing, unlike her sister who preferred a domestic life. Therefore, over the past decade or so, Jeanie had been a top social butterfly at Los Angeles parties. She had showcased her great figure in Playboy magazine and had close relationships with many Hollywood actors and sports stars from several Los Angeles leagues! Jeanie's social circle extended far beyond the NBA.
However, after her two brothers, Johnny and Jim, successively announced their independence and unwillingness to work for old Buss, Jeanie suddenly found a new passion in life: becoming the Lakers' primary heir!
Yes, with his sons unwilling to get involved in the Lakers' business, old Buss had no choice but to turn his attention to his eldest daughter, Jeanie.
For Jeanie, family was not what she desired; she preferred men and career! Especially capable, powerful men who could help her career! For example: Phil Jackson!
Of course, the two of them did not seem to have had much contact yet. It was said that Phil Jackson had moved to Los Angeles to live in seclusion, but he had not yet connected with Jeanie. Jeanie would likely only start dating Phil Jackson after he took charge of the Lakers.
This meant that Jeanie was currently single. Old Buss had no idea who his daughter was dating. But that was not important. What was important was that Jeanie was now willing to actively participate in the Lakers' management, which made old Buss very gratified.
Therefore, this summer, for the two most important contract renewals for the Lakers, old Buss had invited Jeanie to participate in the negotiations to gain valuable experience. Negotiating with future superstar players was the most demanding test of negotiation skills.
Yesterday, the Lakers' top management trio, old Buss, Jeanie, and Jerry West, had already finished talking with Kobe.
Yes, the two most important contract negotiations for the Lakers this summer were with Kobe and He Xi Meng.
In 1996, the Lakers had signed three-year contracts with both Kobe and He Xi Meng, which were expiring this season.
Kobe's first contract was for $3.5 million over three years, and He Xi Meng's first contract was for $3 million over three years.
Although He Xi Meng had won the Finals MVP trophy this year, the Lakers still chose to negotiate with Kobe first.
Perhaps the Lakers' management still felt that Kobe was more important than He Xi Meng.
Or perhaps the Lakers' management felt that Kobe was more difficult to deal with, while He Xi Meng was relatively easier to negotiate with. If they could handle that difficult guy Kobe, wouldn't He Xi Meng be a piece of cake? Moreover, the Lakers had also prepared a substantial contract for He Xi Meng. If Kobe couldn't hold out, how could He Xi Meng?
Judging from the preparation before the negotiations, the Lakers' management clearly had not grasped He Xi Meng's core needs. They assumed He Xi Meng was the same as Kobe, but He Xi Meng was not the same as Kobe.
The preliminary agreement reached between Kobe and the Lakers was for 6 years and $70.9 million, effective 1999, expiring in 2005, with a player option in 2004.
Starting next season, Kobe's annual salary could reach $9 million.
Before 2000, a contract nearing $10 million was considered a big contract in the league.
In the just-concluded 1998-1999 season, the highest annual salary in the league was Ewing's $18 million, followed by O'Neal's $15 million, David Robinson's $14.84 million, and Garnett's $14 million, and Mourning's $13.13 million.
Garnett was an exception. Logically, Garnett's second contract should have been a near-$10 million deal like Kobe's. However, the Timberwolves, in order to keep Garnett, directly offered him a super contract of $126 million over six years, envied by many.
But this contract also had its pros and cons. Because in a season with a salary cap of only $30 million, Garnett's contract alone locked up half of the Timberwolves' payroll. This meant that without paying luxury tax, the management had to sign 14 players with the remaining salary cap space, which severely tested the general manager's operating ability.
Of course, the Knicks and Lakers were in a similar situation, but they had the financial power to be willing to pay the luxury tax.