Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 666 Asia's Top Beauty
As Aaron took Lin Zhiling to Rome, he, like everyone else, was looking forward to the European Championship final.
The Houston Rockets are also celebrating winning their fourth NBA championship.

Just as the 2000 NBA draft had concluded successfully at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a secret memorandum was unexpectedly leaked, triggering a major upheaval throughout the NBA!

The main topic concerns a secret agreement between Minnesota Timberwolves player Joe Smith's agent and team owner Glen Taylor in the summer of 1998:

The two sides signed a dual contract, with the ostensible contract stating that Joe Smith would sign with the Timberwolves for three consecutive years at extremely low base salaries of approximately $175 million, $210 million, and $225 million respectively.

The secret agreement was that the Timberwolves promised to use the Bird exception in the future (that is, in the summer of 2001) to offer Smith a six-year contract worth between $86 million and $100 million to compensate him for the pay cuts he had taken in the first three years.

In this way, Joe Smith played for a low price for the first three years, saving the team a huge amount of salary cap space to sign other players, with the plan to get a "reward" in the future;
Of course, all of this was to deceive the NBA's salary auditing system. The reason it was exposed was mainly due to factors such as commission disputes arising from the departure of Joe Smith's agent!
That evening, on the balcony of the Waldorf Astoria Cavalli resort in downtown Rome, Aaron was on the phone with Jack Wells. "See?" he said. "I told you so. Joe Smith and the Timberwolves have a secret agreement."

"So, what did the league say? How does David Stern plan to handle this?"

Jack Wells chuckled on the phone and then described David Stern's approach.

The NBA already suspected a secret agreement between Joe Smith and the Timberwolves, and now, with direct written evidence of salary cap fraud from the Timberwolves, NBA Commissioner David Stern has imposed severe penalties on the team.

First, a $350 million fine voided Joe Smith's contract, making him a free agent;
Secondly, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor was suspended for one year, and general manager Kevin McHale was forced to resign.
Finally, and most importantly, the Timberwolves' five first-round draft picks from 2001 to 2005 were confiscated!

"Haha, Kevin Garnett's boomerang has returned. The Timberwolves won't be able to attract any other good players in the future except him."

Aaron couldn't help but laugh. "By the way, how's IMG (International Management Group), which Angel Company invested in before? I'm in Europe, and football player agents are a huge market!"

Jack Wells sounded somewhat helpless on the phone, "You know, Aaron, IMG is still managed by Mark McCormack, mainly focusing on domestic athletes, such as golf, rugby, and baseball."

"However, Mark McCormack's health isn't very good. If the opportunity arises, I'll acquire the IMG Group directly!"

“Alright,” Aaron said, having no objections, as Jack Wells was the main person in charge at Angel Company. “Is there anything else?”

"Joe Smith is a free agent now. Do you think the Rockets need to sign him?"

As Charles Barkley gets older and suffers more injuries, and having already won two championship rings with the Rockets, with one year left on his contract, he has been considering retirement.
Jack Wells wanted to use Joe Smith to fill the position of Charles Barkley. How tempting would it be to have Shaquille O'Neal, Joe Smith, and Tracy McGrady?

"Um, do you think the Rockets can afford Joe Smith's salary?"

"Besides, Joe Smith, who just went through this dual-contract scandal, has had a huge negative impact!"

Aaron definitely doesn't think it's a good idea.

"Hey, your idea is the same as Rockets GM Ray Patterson's. Okay, let's strengthen the team elsewhere then."

"However, the Rockets' player salaries are indeed quite high right now, so signing Joe Smith won't be easy!"

Tracy McGrady just signed a contract extension, and the Rockets' salary cap space is already full. "Okay, you can rest now. It's already afternoon here, and it's evening where you are."

After Aaron hung up the phone, it must be afternoon in the US now, as there's a seven-hour time difference between New York and here!
After turning around and returning to the bedroom, Lin Zhiling, wearing a sexy low-cut silk nightgown, was leaning against the bed, flipping through fashion magazines.

"Is the matter settled?"

“Yeah, it’s just a small matter back home,” Aaron sat on the bed and kissed Lin Zhiling. “How are things going since we arrived in Rome?”

"That's great! It's steeped in history, and the historical sites are very attractive, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum, and the Trevi Fountain!"

Aaron scooped Lin Zhiling into his arms, patted her gently, and laughed, "The Colosseum is just a bunch of broken stones. I don't know why it attracts millions of tourists every year."

In Aaron's opinion, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and the Spanish Steps were all meaningless.
What impressed Aaron most were the various sculptures in St. Peter's Basilica and the Trevi Fountain!

"What, you don't like it?" Lin Zhiling kissed the man's lips.

Aaron shook his head. "I come to Europe often, but mainly for business. I rarely visit tourist attractions specifically."

"Since you're in the fashion industry, perhaps you could frequently visit places like Paris, Milan, and London, or even New York in the US."

"In addition, Victoria's Secret's New York branch specializes in model management and has offices in Paris, London, and New York."

"At that time, we will also expand to Asia. If you want, you can cooperate with them at any time. You came to Paris a little late this time, otherwise I could introduce you to the person in charge of Victoria's Secret Angels!"

It would be no problem at all for Christina Yerry to give Lin Zhiling some pointers; and if Aaron were willing, it would be easy to get Lin Zhiling on the Victoria's Secret runway.
However, it's unnecessary for a dedicated lingerie show.

"Really? Victoria's Secret is the pinnacle of the modeling world now!"

"It's alright, hmm!" Aaron said, and then kissed the girl.

Soon, Aaron was lying on top of Lin Zhiling, feeling her softness. "Hmm, you have a really nice figure!"

Lin Zhiling hugged the man tightly, leaned close to Aaron's ear, and whispered in a soft, seductive voice, "Then, how good is it?"

"Ha, of course she's one of Asia's top beauties!"

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

A moment later, a series of deep, excited breaths filled the bedroom...

(End of this chapter)