Sports Medicine Master System

Or to put it another way, with this kind of response from the Suns’ management, what rookie would dare to join the Phoenix Suns in the future? Wouldn’t they worry that if they got into a conflict with a veteran, the Suns would just blindly side with the old-timer?

"So you only have one choice: cut Malone."

At this point, Chen Yu understood.

’So Sanders wants Malone.’

"Philip, you want to know if we’re planning to waive him or buy him out, don’t you?" Chen Yu’s words essentially confirmed that they were going to get rid of Malone.

There was no need to hide it. Before practice ended around noon, Chen Yu planned to head to the US Airways Center with Brian to tell Malone he was being cut.

Sanders nodded.

If the Phoenix Suns chose to waive him, a slew of teams would undoubtedly try to claim him.

It was Carl Malone, after all. Even without knowing how the league would punish him, who would pass up a $1.5 million contract? Only an idiot.

But if he was waived, the Wolves, given their current salary cap situation and their team’s ranking, would have no chance of claiming him.

But if the Phoenix Suns chose to buy out Malone’s contract directly, making him an unrestricted free agent, that would be even better.

However, Sanders figured the Phoenix Suns were unlikely to do that. After all, waiving him would save them some money.

"Of course, if you chose to trade him, that would also be an excellent option. We’re open to discussion," Sanders added with a grin.

’A trade would be even better than a waiver or a buyout.’

’You guys get him out of sight, out of mind, and the Wolves are guaranteed to get Malone.’

Chen Yu snapped back to reality. Looking at Sanders, whose eyes were gleaming, he suddenly laughed. "Philip, I should actually thank you. You just reminded me that waiving Malone isn’t a good option at all."

’If we waive Malone, he’ll just end up on another team, and we’ll still have to give him a Championship Ring when the time comes.’

’Never mind that he’s been with the team for over a month—even if he hadn’t played a single game, he should still get a Championship Ring.’

’After all, he was on the roster. The Phoenix Suns can’t break that tradition.’

’So if we waive him, he’ll get his coveted Championship Ring *and* go to another team to cause problems for us.’

’If he goes to the Lakers or the Spurs, that would be actively strengthening a rival.’

’It’s not like it’s some massive contract. It’s only $1.5 million. We can’t waive him, if only to prevent him from strengthening a rival.’

’The only problem is that he’d be taking up a roster spot.’

"Huh?"

Sanders blinked, completely stunned. He asked instinctively, "Chen, what do you mean by that?"

Chen Yu smiled. "I mean exactly what I said. I’ve thought it over, and we can’t waive him."

Sanders was no fool. He instantly understood Chen Yu’s meaning and was so annoyed he wanted to slap himself.

’I should’ve kept my damn mouth shut!’

’If I hadn’t asked, the Phoenix Suns’ management, in their anger, might not have even considered this angle.’

"Thanks, Philip."

Chen Yu was actually being sincere.

Sanders opened his mouth, but with a pained expression, he ultimately said nothing.

After dealing with matters at the clinic, Chen Yu immediately drove to the US Airways Center to find Brian.

"You’re right. We really can’t waive him," Brian said, the realization dawning on him.

He’d had a nagging feeling that something was off, that he was overlooking something. Now it finally clicked.

This wasn’t a $15 million contract; it was $1.5 million. Why waive him? Just suspend him indefinitely and be done with it.

"The main thing is he’s taking up a roster spot. And with Sabonis’s current state, I’m worried it will affect the team’s performance down the line," Brian added, concerned.

If we waive Malone, we can still bring in reinforcements.

But an indefinite suspension means we’re effectively down one man.

Chen Yu had already considered this on the drive over. "That’s still better than him being claimed by another team," he said. "Believe it or not, even if we were to waive him, he’d likely push for a buyout so he could join the Spurs or the Lakers."

By orchestrating all that, he’d essentially be giving himself a safety net.

"As for the spot he’s leaving vacant, I think the rookies can step up. Perkins, and West. West hasn’t gotten much playing time this year. We paid such a high price to trade for him back in the Summer; we can’t just let him ride the bench, can we?"

We gave up two first-round picks for him.

Malone’s suspension frees up a spot for him perfectly.

"In any case, it’s much better than waiving him."

Even if Malone were to announce his retirement right now and then come back next year, it wouldn’t affect the Phoenix Suns’ championship run this season.

Brian nodded. "Let’s do that, then."

This whole mess was already affecting the team’s record. They couldn’t let it drag on any longer.

He who hesitates is lost.

Chen Yu glanced at his watch and stood up. "Practice is almost over. Let’s go find him."

Without hesitating, the two of them headed for the practice court together.

When Skiles, who was on the sideline, saw Chen Yu and Brian appear, his expression changed slightly.

He already knew that Malone was going to be cut.

When the other players saw Chen Yu, they also seemed to guess what was happening. One by one, they turned to look at Malone, who was doing conditioning drills on the sideline.

Chen Yu didn’t hesitate and beckoned to Malone.

Malone was in a daze. It seemed he had also anticipated what was coming.

Or perhaps it was more accurate to say he had been living in fear for the past several days.

But once Chen Yu led him into an empty hallway, Malone completely broke down.

"Chen, Brian, are you going to cut me? No, you can’t do this! I know I was wrong. I’ll go apologize to Marquis personally. I really wasn’t thinking straight, I just acted on impulse. Please, don’t cut me, okay?"

Malone instinctively reached out to grab Chen Yu’s arm, wanting to plead with him.

Chen Yu flinched back a step. Startled, Malone stopped, but he was still a complete wreck, on the verge of tears.

Brian shot Chen Yu a look, his eyes asking if they should call security.

He was afraid Malone would fly into a rage and attack them.

The two of them combined were no match for Malone.

Chen Yu misread the look, thinking Brian wanted him to do the talking. ’Coward,’ he cursed inwardly. He cut straight to the chase, his voice cold. "Malone, first of all, we are not going to cut you. Nor are we going to buy you out."

"Really?"

Malone’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Let me finish," Chen Yu cut him off. "But we are suspending you indefinitely. In other words, you will not play again this season. You can leave the team now. Then, at the start of next season, you can come back and collect your Championship Ring."

With that said, Chen Yu shot a look at Brian and walked away.

’The guy’s emotionally unstable.’ Chen Yu was also worried he wouldn’t be able to handle the news and would get violent.

Malone’s mind went completely blank, a buzzing filling his ears.

He hadn’t been cut, but an indefinite suspension was still an unacceptable outcome.

Just as Chen Yu had said, he could wait for the Phoenix Suns to win the championship, then come back next year to collect his Championship Ring.

But would a Championship Ring like that be the same as one he earned by playing with the team, by helping them win the Finals?

Not at all!

If he accepted that ring, he’d be too ashamed to ever tell anyone he had a Championship Ring.

For him, that Championship Ring wouldn’t be the honor he had pursued his whole career. It would be a mark of shame!

"Chen, you can’t do this."

Snapping out of it, Malone broke into a run and chased after him.

Brian flinched, so scared he nearly shouted for security. ’If I’d known it would be like this,’ he thought, ’I should have just contacted his agent directly.’