"It's done well, Lu, the team has gained a good reputation in this game against the Lakers. The outside world is praising the team. It's a perfect start." In the office, General Manager McHale said to Luke with a smile on his face.

General Manager McHale also watched the entire game of the opening match against the Lakers. For McHale, who was a player, he knew very well the changes Luke brought to this team.

Especially on the offensive end, McHale couldn't believe his eyes.

"Don't worry, Kevin, this is just beginning, and the team will definitely get better in the new season."

"But I really have something I need to contact. If this happens, the team's chances of winning this season will be greatly increased." Luke took out a cigarette from his pocket, and subconsciously ignited it. Then, as if he had thought of something, he pulled out one from it and handed it to McHale.

"You're welcome, Lu, if it can help the team, then I'd like to hear what you think." After taking the cigarette, McHale still smiled.

"I hope you can get in touch with Carl. I know that you have a pretty good relationship in private. Even though Carl is 40 years old this year, you know his competitive state."

"And as far as I know, Carl has no intention of retiring at the moment. He has been waiting and watching, so I think you can throw an olive branch to Carl and listen to his opinion."

Without any drag, Luke directly expressed his thoughts, and the Carl mentioned in Luke was naturally Carl Malone.

Malone joined the Lakers as a free agent last season, forming a four-tier team with Payton, Kobe and O'Neal.

For Carl Malone, he is willing to join the Lakers at a minimum salary because he hopes that he can get involved in the championship ring in his late years.

However, as the saying goes, things are unpredictable. Although the arrogant four giants combined reached the finals, they were swept out by the Pistons 4:1 in the finals.

This result also made the 39-year-old Carl Malone completely disheartened. He did not renew his contract with the Lakers during the offseason, nor did he take the initiative to contact the team that won the championship.

According to rumors, the Pistons management took the initiative to contact Carl Malone during the offseason, hoping that Malone could join the Pistons at a minimum salary, and then join forces to launch another impact on the championship in the new season.

However, Carl Malone refused without any hesitation about the invitation from the Pistons management, because even if Malone would rather not have a championship in his career than join a team that just defeated him last season.

At this point, Ma Long has always adhered to his bottom line, just like the title of Iron Man in his life, without any cowardice.

Last season, the 39-year-old Malone still averaged 13.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game, and his shooting percentage remained at 48.3%.

Just looking at the data, it is hard to imagine that this is a 39-year-old inside veteran.

After all, the average life expectancy of inside players is lower than that of outside players, so Carl Malone's competitive state is absolutely impeccable.

However, the "Iron Man" Carl Malone, who has been in full service for ten seasons in his career, encountered some injuries last season, and the complications of knee injury were also the fundamental reason why no team took the initiative to contact Malone during the offseason.

Because this injury is completely unhealed, it is the sequelae left by the physical confrontation of Karl Malone throughout his career.

And because of a knee injury, Malone missed most playoff games last season and the crucial Finals G5, which alone was enough to discourage multiple teams.

After all, signing a contract with Carl Malone also means that the team needs to bear the possibility that Carl Malone has an indefinite quit, but has been recovering from his salary.

In addition, Malone's career is no longer short of the veteran's basic salary. For Carl Malone, the most important thing is to have the opportunity to win the championship.

Most championship teams are unwilling to waste a place in vain, allowing Carl Malone to take his salary to recover from his injuries.

So there has been no movement in the offseason about Carl Malone. I only heard that Malone has been with her daughter during the offseason.

Malone's daughter Cheryl Ford just entered the WNBA last year and won the WNBA championship ring as a member of the Detroit Shock.

I just don’t know if Malone would feel sad when Carl Malone saw that his daughters all had the championship ring.

"Carl?"

"I'm not sure that Carl is planning to retire, but his knees are already very fragile. I think you should understand what I mean."

"If you want to know more details, I will ask the team doctor to send you Carl's medical records. I believe you will give up this idea after reading it." He shook his head helplessly, McHale only thought Luke didn't understand comprehensively enough.

"I actually know Carl's current physical condition, but if he's willing to join the team, I'll load management on him."

"I believe Carl will definitely be interested in joining the Timberwolves."

"I'm serious, Kevin, I think I need to emphasize it again. I know Carl's current physical condition, but he can still help the team." Luke paused for a moment. "And it's the kind that determines the team's ceiling."

Seeing Luke's serious look and not joking at all, McHale subconsciously squinted his eyes, then slapped the table and decided immediately, "Okay, since you said that, I will contact Carl tomorrow."

"I have some friendship with Carl in private. I will go to Arkansas myself tomorrow. I believe Carl will definitely hunt there."

"But I agreed in advance that all I can do is try to persuade Carl, but whether he is willing to join or not depends on him."

"So you have to be ready for a vain trip. After all, you know, Carl's career is close to perfection, and nothing can make him feel moved except for the championship."

Ignoring the meaning of McHale's words, Luke just nodded slightly, "Okay, then I'll leave this to you."

In fact, as early as the offseason, Luke had the idea of ​​recruiting Carl Malone, but the Timberwolves had not yet shown the style of winning the championship.

And he was just eliminated by the Lakers where Malone was in the playoffs last year, so if he would give Malone an olive branch in the offseason, then Luke thinks Carl Malone will most likely refuse.

After all, even the Lakers failed to win the championship last season, and the Timberwolves, who lost to the Lakers, were even less likely to become Malone's next home.

However, the Timberwolves are no longer the same as before. As long as McHale can convey this wish to Carl Malone, whether he can impress Malone to join is a problem that Luke needs to solve.
Chapter completed!