Only one year?
And the salary had to start at that figures?!!
The two Lakers executives stared at Ogawa Tetsuya's calm, self-assured expression as if they'd just seen a ghost.
Especially General Manager Rob Pelinka—his brows knitted together, a trace of irritation surfacing.
He acknowledged Ogawa Tetsuya's physical test numbers and his explosive Summer League performance.
But he trusted statistics and long-standing conventional wisdom even more.
Basketball, a sport defined by brutal physical confrontation, had always been dominated by exceptionally gifted Black athletes.
Pelinka couldn't help but question whether Ogawa Tetsuya could truly withstand the intensity of NBA-level contact.
As the team's general manager, he had to be responsible for the entire organization.
The last thing he wanted was to sign a player made of glass.
More importantly, this Ogawa Tetsuya—whose talent rivaled that of the Great Shark—had yet to play a single NBA regular-season game.
He hadn't even appeared in preseason.
"Tetsuya, your request really caught us off guard," Pelinka said seriously.
"And honestly, a four-year contract would provide you with far more security."
"Why insist on signing for just one year? From our perspective, that's not the wisest choice for you."
Pelinka voiced his genuine confusion.
Ogawa Tetsuya smiled and glanced at Magic Johnson, whose exaggerated expression looked almost comical.
Then he met Pelinka's questioning gaze head-on—his demeanor sharpening in an instant.
"You think I'm crazy, don't you?" Ogawa Tetsuya said calmly.
"But I believe in my own strength."
"Give me one year."
"I'll take the Lakers into the playoffs."
"You can put that directly into the contract. My word."
With the Peak Great Shark Talent fully integrated, Ogawa Tetsuya spoke with unshakable confidence.
If Magic and Pelinka hadn't personally witnessed his explosive Summer League performances, they would have assumed this big man from the East was completely out of his mind.
"Oh, Tetsuya," Magic Johnson laughed broadly, his trademark grin stretching ear to ear, eyes narrowing into crescents.
"Your bold confidence is every bit as wild as that all-conquering Great Shark."
Compared to obedient, well-behaved players, Magic much preferred confident, sharp-edged talents like this.
Pelinka finally snapped out of his shock and said sternly,
"Tetsuya, since you insist on a one-year deal, I'll need to—"
Just then.
His phone rang.
Pelinka gestured for the two to wait, stepped aside, and answered.
"Hey, Rob. I wanted to ask about that guy from the East—Ogawa Tetsuya. Are you letting him go?"
"Vlade, friendship aside, let me be very clear," Pelinka replied coldly.
"Tetsuya's future is with the Lakers."
He hung up—only for the Knicks' general manager, Scott Perry, to call immediately after.
"Rob, you already have Ivica Zubac and Larry Nance Jr. down low. Ogawa Tetsuya will be wasted on your roster. Why not let us have him?"
"Scott, you're always trying to take advantage of chaos," Pelinka snapped.
"Believe me—Earvin would fly over and fight you himself."
Less than two minutes later, the Mavericks' GM Donnie Nelson called.
(Note: The team officially became the Mavericks in 2018.)
"Rob, your roster is stacked. We're very interested in that big man from the East—Ogawa Tetsuya.
We can offer him $15 million per year and the starting center position."
"Fifteen million?" Pelinka barked. "Donnie, have you lost your mind?"
"But you're too late," he added through clenched teeth.
"Ogawa Tetsuya has already agreed to sign with us."
Pelinka rubbed his temples as he fielded calls from general managers across the league.
It was as if they'd coordinated the timing.
Like sharks catching the scent of blood, every one of them wanted to intercept Ogawa Tetsuya midway.
The Mavericks' offer—especially that massive contract—hit Pelinka the hardest.
He pulled Magic Johnson aside and quickly explained everything.
"Rob, my old friend," Magic urged anxiously,
"Listen to me—we can't hesitate any longer."
"Ogawa Tetsuya's only weakness is his lack of experience. But you and I both know Cuban has been hunting for Dirk's successor."
"If Dallas gets Ogawa Tetsuya, they'll become the biggest obstacle to our rise."
Pelinka thought long and hard, then nodded firmly.
As a big-market franchise, the Lakers' fanbase couldn't tolerate their storied team remaining a bottom-feeder.
That was why Magic had decisively traded away former No. 2 pick D'Angelo Russell the year before, clearing massive cap space.
Through the draft, he'd also selected a group of elite young talents—Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and others.
All of it was preparation for next year's free agency—aiming to land superstars like Paul George and LeBron James.
This season might be about developing young players, but the team still needed to show progress.
Otherwise, aside from Los Angeles itself, what could possibly attract true superstars?
They needed Ogawa Tetsuya's promise—
To lead the Lakers into the playoffs.
And since it was only a one-year deal, it wouldn't affect their plans for next summer anyway.
Years later, when Ogawa Tetsuya led the Lakers to dominate the league and capture a three-peat—rebuilding a dynasty
Both Magic Johnson and Pelinka would repeatedly say in interviews that their greatest fortune was choosing to keep Ogawa Tetsuya.
But that was a story for another time.
Right now, after a final discussion, they decided to gamble.
"Tetsuya," Pelinka said firmly,
"To show our sincerity, we're offering you a one-year, $15 million contract."
"Of that, $12 million is guaranteed.
The remaining $3 million will be awarded if you lead the team into the playoffs."
Ogawa Tetsuya stood up, clearly satisfied, and shook hands with both men.
"Perfect," he said with a smile.
"I agree to sign."