Dempsey arranged to meet him at the coffee shop.

"We can still sign one more player for our team. Do you have any suggestions?"

As soon as he sat down, Dempsey's words surprised Tang Tian.

"You said you wanted to have a say in the team's management, this is it."

Seeing Tang Tian stunned for a moment, Dempsey smiled and explained.

Tang Tian nodded, he was really surprised.

He initially said those words as a half-joke, thinking that he would have to wait until he helped the team reach the playoffs before talking about it.

He didn't expect Dempsey to look for him at this time.

The Pelicans really surprised him time and time again.

"This is the team's current roster, take a look."

Dempsey said as he handed him the tablet.

The Pelicans currently have 17 contracts, 12 guaranteed and 5 non-guaranteed.

Guaranteed contracts: Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Tang Tian, ​​Holiday, Ryan Anderson, Aminu, Jason Smith, Little Rivers, Anthony Morrow, Stiemsma, Ajinca, Jeff Withey.

Non-guaranteed contracts: Brian Roberts, Darius Miller, Lance Thomas, Arinze Onuaku, Josh Childress.

Under normal circumstances, a team would have at least 14 guaranteed contracts, leaving one for flexible operation in the mid-season.

But the Pelicans only have 12 guaranteed contracts, which is a standard weak team composition, with large personnel fluctuations, and many need to compete for positions.

But at this time, Tang Tian also knew why Dempsey would let him participate in the management's decision.

Because it really doesn't have much impact.

Now the free market is almost over, and all that can be signed are some unwanted veterans and rookies, at most there will be one more person to compete.

It just so happened that this easy favor was given to Tang Tian.

"The next page is the current free agent list."

Dempsey continued.

Tang Tian swiped down after hearing this, and there really weren't any people who could be used.

Anyone with a bit of strength has already signed a non-guaranteed contract with the team.

But on this list, Tang Tian saw a familiar name.

Metta Sandiford-Artest.

Formerly known as Ron Artest.

He is still a free agent.

"Ron hasn't signed since being amnestied by the Lakers."

Dempsey saw Tang Tian staring at Metta Sandiford-Artest’s name and said, but he still preferred to use the old name.

That's right, Metta Sandiford-Artest has been proven to be of little use last season, unable to make shots, and too slow on defense, often getting blown by in one step.

Moreover, he was still earning more than 7 million a year with the Lakers.

The Lakers are continuing to compete for the championship in the new season, and they also signed Wright with the mid-level exception, so it was expected that he would be amnestied.

"I suggest signing him."

Tang Tian said, looking up.

"Him? He can't play in the NBA now, and his agent team has always wanted a guaranteed contract."

Dempsey was afraid that Tang Tian didn't understand the situation, so he explained it to him again.

"Dell, he should still have some gas left in the tank, and the main purpose of signing him is that this team needs his toughness and locker room leadership, this team is lacking that right now."

Tang Tian said, if he remembered correctly, Metta Sandiford-Artest was still playing for the Lakers for a year in the 2016-17 season, he should still be able to play.

Of course, the second half of what he said was the point.

This team has the same team atmosphere as the Spurs, but this is obviously not right.

The Spurs have many old players, and the team atmosphere has always been like this, but the Pelicans have large player fluctuations, and most of the players are young, which is definitely not good.

Young teams definitely need momentum and passion to achieve results, just like Kemba Walker and him at UConn.

So a spark plug like Metta Sandiford-Artest is much more useful than signing some unreliable potential rookie.

Dempsey nodded, he should have adopted Tang Tian's suggestion.

The Pelicans' training camp is still going on.

It was also at this time that Tang Tian discovered that besides Anderson, there was another person who was also very special.

Jrue Holiday.

Honestly, besides saying hello when he first came, Tang Tian hadn't spoken to Holiday.

This guy's personality is probably a bit like Kawhi Leonard.

But what caught Tang Tian's attention was not this personality, but his behavior.

Except for the opening day of training camp, Holiday was basically the first to arrive and the last to leave.

This person's personality seems to be a combination of Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler.

Speaking of which, as one of the least noticeable All-Stars in history, Tang Tian really doesn't have many impressions of Holiday.

But after these few days, Tang Tian found that this guy is really good.

Like Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler before, because he is a hard worker, he is also very interested in hard workers.

While the training camp was in progress, the Pelicans officially announced a new signing.

They reached a one-year veteran minimum fully guaranteed contract with free agent Metta Sandiford-Artest.

Although it seems to be just a signing that doesn't affect the overall situation, this approach by Dempsey and the Pelicans management shows an attitude.

Even though Tang Tian asked that question half-jokingly at the beginning, they still kept their word.

This is a statement, and it is also telling Tang Tian that as long as you can help the team return to the playoffs or go further, we will give you what you want!

This signal is quite positive.

It was also a week after this signing was revealed that Metta Sandiford-Artest came to the locker room.

A buzz cut, a circle of stubble, wearing a slightly old-fashioned headset when he came in, coupled with that slightly weathered face, it was really hard to associate with the protagonist of the Palace at Auburn Hills.

He is already 34 years old this year, which is the end of his career for a physical defensive player.

After a brief greeting with the teammates, he took the headset and hummed softly.

Judging from the content, it should be something like rap.

"Hey, Ron."

Little Rivers went up and patted Metta Sandiford-Artest on the shoulder to say hello at this time.

When Metta Sandiford-Artest took off the headset, he continued: "Your headset is too old, you should change it."

"Kid, didn't your dad teach you how to talk to people? This is a Beats.By.dr.dre custom headset, not the worthless thing you think it is, and call me Metta, my name isn't Ron."

Metta Sandiford-Artest was not polite at all, and Little Rivers retreated back dejectedly.

The others in the locker room also heard Metta Sandiford-Artest's way of speaking, and frowned slightly. Obviously, this way of speaking didn't quite fit with the Pelicans.

But Tang Tian couldn't help but smile after hearing this.

Metta Sandiford-Artest changed his name and got older, but he was still that rascally player.

However, Little Rivers' way of greeting just now was indeed not very appropriate.

"Tang, do you like rap?"

Just as he was smiling, Metta Sandiford-Artest took the initiative to put down the headset, then moved the stool to Tang Tian's side, and asked with a smile.

Tang Tian was the only one he knew in this Pelicans team. The Lakers and Spurs were opponents in the Western Conference semifinals in the playoffs last year.