This transaction was somewhat different from what fans had predicted.

Ariza and Bojan weren't involved in the trade. Instead, the team's starting point guard for the past four years, the near All-Star Holiday, was sent away!

This sparked a large discussion among fans on social media.

"Huge loss! Holiday and Jokic are both gone!"

"Although Butler is stronger than both Holiday and Jokic, this trade is a real loss! Is the Pelicans team really messing things up themselves?!"

"Dempsey's brain must have been kicked by a donkey. This is self-destruction! The three-peat dynasty is gone!"

"Good trade, well done!" said a Jokic fan.

"Am I the only one who doesn't think it's a loss? Butler proved how tough he is in the playoffs last season, and he and Tang Tian are training buddies!"

"I also don't think it's a loss. Jokic's rookie contract expires next season, and the Pelicans might not be able to afford to renew it. It's just a bit of a shame about Holiday!"

"Yeah, Holiday is hardworking and has All-Star level ability, but he's always been sacrificing for the Pelicans. In the end, he was traded. Alas! The NBA is a business!"

"Butler, Tang, Davis, the Pelicans are a Big Three team now! The trend in the league is unstoppable!"

"Yes, the Cavaliers have George, LeBron, Whiteside, plus Love. The Bucks have Irving, Antetokounmpo, and maybe others. Exciting!"

"What I'm a little confused about is why the Mavericks would want Jokic. Don't they already have Embiid?"

"Jokic's height isn't really enough to play center. He proved that with the Pelicans. He often gets beaten on rebounds, and to hold his position in the paint, he has to gain weight, which ultimately results in him being targeted as a weakness by opponents. So I think it's entirely possible for him to lose weight and play power forward."

"That's right, even if he can't play, they can trade him. A talented player of Jokic's level, there will definitely be a bunch of teams scrambling for him!"

"Speaking of which, the Pelicans' choice is also a bit incomprehensible. Ariza and Bojan didn't leave, and now they've got Butler. Counting Tang, who can also swing and play small forward, is that four people for one mahjong table?"

"And who can start after Holiday leaves? Brogdon? Williams? I think the Pelicans' roster is clearly lopsided after this trade!"

"This obviously has a follow-up trade. Just wait and see! I think with Dempsey's ability in previous years, he definitely has something up his sleeve!"

…

Fans on social media were in heated discussion, and they were increasingly looking forward to the direction of the free market.

The Pelicans are likely to have a follow-up trade, and the Mavericks may also have that possibility, and even the Bucks and Cavaliers may have it.

Although most of the free agents have already signed and major trades have been completed, the countless possibilities that exist in the future make people look forward to it.

On the fourth day after the end of the freeze period, a reporter broke the news that Irving, who had just completed a trade, appeared in Utah City with Antetokounmpo.

This move attracted considerable attention.

It should be known that the Pelicans had been quite close to Hayward before, and even before Dempsey issued a statement, Hayward was likely to join the Pelicans.

But now that the Pelicans have Butler, they naturally don't want Hayward.

That is to say, Hayward is still a completely free agent.

Having experienced the rumors of leaving, the Jazz are unlikely to want him, so his destination is nothing more than the Celtics and a few other teams that still have space.

The Bucks were not in this category, but they can now completely replace the Pelicans and the Jazz to complete the sign-and-trade.

Although the chips may be a little worse, it is better for the Jazz than letting go for nothing.

Once the Bucks win Hayward, the East will be lively next year.

In addition to the Cavaliers and the Knicks, another team with absolute strength will appear.

And what's even more interesting is that it means that Irving, who just left the Cavaliers, is likely to encounter the Cavaliers in the playoffs or even the Eastern Conference Finals.

That would be a very, very interesting thing.

While the fans were still waiting for the possible Big Three of the Bucks, the Pelicans had already made a move.

The previous predictions of fans on social media were correct. The Pelicans have a bloated lineup now, and a trade is imperative.

According to Woj's latest revelations, the Rockets, Pelicans, and Wizards have reached a three-way trade.

The Rockets sent this year's 27th pick, Kuzma, and Markieff Morris, and got Ariza from the Pelicans;

The Wizards sent Andrew Nicholson (non-guaranteed contract) and a future second-round pick for Markieff Morris;

The Pelicans sent Ariza and received Kuzma and Nicholson, as well as a future second-round pick from the Wizards.

After the trade was completed, the Pelicans immediately cut Nicholson.

This is equivalent to Ariza for this year's Rockets' first-round pick, Kuzma.

"Damn! The Pelicans are crazy! Dempsey is really crazy! Ariza for a late first-round rookie?!"

"And as far as I know, this rookie can't even shoot threes... and he's an older rookie, what's the point of trading for him!"

"I know Ariza is likely to leave, but please trade for someone a little more useful!"

"Trash Dempsey, Morey is still the genius, Morris is replaced by Ariza, a perfect upgrade!"

"It's a pity that the Rockets didn't get Butler, but Morey's move to bring in Ariza is indeed very Morey!"

"I heard that the Spurs can't clear up space, and Paul's contract extension with the Rockets is a done deal. I still have expectations for the Rockets next year!"

"Yes, Paul is basically going to stay with the Rockets for 5 years and 200 million, the biggest contract in history!"

"40 million a year!"

"Let's not talk about Paul, I think the Pelicans are going to break up! Holiday is gone, Jokic is gone, and now Ariza is gone!"

"Xiao Hua is back, the Pelicans are really in chaos, alas, it's a pity for a good dynasty team, poor Tang, screwed over by the management!"

…

Tang Tian's plan had a first step, a second step, followed by a third step and a fourth step.

However, the road must be taken step by step. Taking too big a step can easily pull your groin, and taking too many steps can easily lead to accidents.

This was what Tang Tian specifically instructed.

After making these two trades, the Pelicans suddenly became quiet.

It was as if these were all their trades.

Dempsey had been waiting these two days, on the one hand, waiting for the reaction of Xiao Hua and the league, and on the other hand, waiting for the trade to be officially completed.

Two days later, both trades were officially announced one after another, and the players also completed their physical examinations one after another.

The Pelicans said goodbye to Holiday, Jokic, Ariza and other championship heroes, and welcomed Butler and Kuzma and other new players.

Dempsey felt that Tang Tian had overestimated Xiao Hua.

It is difficult to change one's nature. Xiao Hua is still just a short-sighted person and cannot see what the Pelicans want to do.

ps: Special thanks to QQ user *shangshanruoshui* for the ten thousand reward!