Chapter 1 The Roster

Shortly after the announcement of the individual competitions and starting lineups, the list of substitutes nominated by the coaches was also released.

Over the past summer, Butler stayed in the West, and with James and George also heading west, the competition for All-Star spots in the West became even more intense.

This made the coaches rack their brains when selecting players.

The final list was also extremely brutal.

The Western Conference substitutes: Curry, Westbrook, Lillard, Jimmy Butler, George, Davis, Embiid.

Klay Thompson, Griffin, Towns, Jokic and other outstanding players were all left out.

In contrast, the Eastern Conference was lackluster, arguably the worst it had been in recent years.

The Eastern Conference substitutes: Lowry, Beal, Russell, Devin Booker, Hayward, Randle, Drummond.

This list sparked a wave of discussion among fans on social media.

Following the fans' calls for a merger of the Eastern and Western divisions before the season, they are now calling for a merger of All-Star selections.

However, these matters involving small-city teams and their fans are not so easily changed.

Moreover, cities like Philadelphia and Chicago are now celebrating their first All-Star selections in many years.

With the All-Star starters and substitutes now announced, fans could normally relax and wait for the All-Star Weekend to arrive.

However, the player draft added last year has become a major highlight before the All-Star Weekend.

Last year, Tang Tian selected an all-brothers-in-hardship team. It remains to be seen whether he will continue with that approach this year or come up with a new strategy.

Moreover, in the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo has replaced James.

This superstar, whom the media believes has the potential to replace James's dominance in the East, will also have his draft plan closely watched.

According to the NBA's previous announcement, the draft will be broadcast live nationwide on the morning of February 8th, which is expected to be very popular among fans.

However, while fans have a good show to watch that day, general managers will also be facing their busiest day of the season.

Last season, Adam Silver proposed moving the trade deadline to before the All-Star Game.

This move was supported by the league's management and fans, and Tatum implemented it this season.

In other words, this year's NBA trade deadline is on February 8th.

For basketball fans, this will definitely be the most exciting and anticipated day of the season outside of game days.

Along with the earlier trade deadline came a variety of rumors.

According to Woj, Marc Gasol's time with the Grizzlies is coming to an end.

The Spaniard, who has spent his entire career in Memphis, will eventually leave Memphis like his brother.

The Toronto Raptors are his most likely destination.

The Bucks are currently dominant in the East, with the Raptors and Celtics being the only two teams that can challenge them.

The Trail Blazers have put Carmelo Anthony on the market.

Anthony's performance has declined significantly this season, and with one year left on his contract, he is expected to be pursued by tanking teams.

The Clippers are looking to strengthen their center position in the trade market.

Their current starting center is Thomas Bryant, a standout sophomore.

However, with the Clippers having a good chance of making the playoffs, they are concerned about Bryant's playoff experience and hope to trade for a more experienced player.

The Celtics are looking to trade for a defensive-minded wing, with Kent Bazemore of the Hawks being their primary target.

They are also interested in Iman Shumpert of the Cavaliers.

The Jazz are looking for a defensive-minded wing and are interested in Jae Crowder of the Pelicans.

……

The rumors, both true and false, have kept fans on the edge of their seats, just like in previous years.

Amidst the fans' anticipation, time flew by, and it was February 7th in the blink of an eye.

As the trade deadline approached, the rumors reached a fever pitch, and some minor trades were made one after another.

The 76ers sent away the injury-plagued first overall pick, Markelle Fultz, to the Magic for Jonathan Simmons, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick.

The Bulls sent Jabari Parker, the second overall pick, along with Bobby Portis and a 2023 second-round pick, to acquire Otto Porter from the Wizards.

The Bucks sent Thon Maker to the Pistons for Stanley Johnson.

……

These warm-up trades quickly increased fans' attention to the free market.

It was at this moment that Dell Demps found Tang Tian.

Stevens' brief reassurance to Crowder had been ineffective, and as the trade deadline approached, Crowder had made up his mind that he wanted the Pelicans to trade him.

The problem now was where to send Crowder.

Crowder hasn't had much playing time this season, so his trade value is actually quite low.

And the only team that is interested, the Jazz, has only offered Thabo Sefolosha's expiring contract, without even being willing to give up a draft pick.

Tang Tian listened to Demps and didn't rush to speak.

He recommended trading for Crowder in the first place, and it turned out to be a blemish on his "GM career," so he had to handle this cleanup work well.

"I think the idea of trading with the Jazz is okay. Anyway, Crowder doesn't have any playing time now."

Demps finally said.

The Pelicans are aiming for a four-peat, and with an unstable factor like Crowder, they're not looking for any trade returns. Sending him away is the best outcome.

Tang Tian nodded.

Sefolosha has an expiring contract, and although his defense has declined in recent years due to his age, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse.

Plus, his surprisingly good three-point shooting in the past two seasons (38.1% last season, 43% this season) would be a supplement to the Pelicans' perimeter.

"If we really want to trade, then I'll go negotiate with them."

Demps said as he was about to leave.

With the trade deadline approaching, every second counts.

"Wait a minute."

Tang Tian stopped him.

"What about Marc Gasol's trade situation with the Grizzlies?"

Tang Tian didn't let him leave but instead asked about Gasol's situation.

"Gasol?"

Demps was in a hurry to negotiate and didn't understand what Tang Tian meant by asking this.

But seeing Tang Tian nod, he still answered truthfully.

"Gasol doesn't have much trade value now. He's 34 years old, not to mention his struggling performance with the Grizzlies this season, but he also has a player option worth over 20 million next season. There are very few teams interested in him now. Only the Raptors want to take a gamble and create a dream big three."

Tang Tian was amused by Demps' words.

A dream big three.

Lowry, DeRozan, Gasol.

Playoff chokers plus an old Gasol, that's indeed a fitting description.

"What are the Raptors offering?"

Tang Tian continued to ask.

Demps was stunned by Tang Tian's question, and he put aside his original intention to leave.

"You want to trade him to the Pelicans?"

Demps asked with surprise.