“Now we can only consider the buyout market, but this year's buyout market is very small.”

Dell Demps ran to Tang Tian’s manor looking anxious.

The Pelicans, in order to keep last season's contributors Dio and West, had a top-heavy roster this season.

Their perimeter backup personnel was relatively thin.

This kind of setup was most afraid of encountering injuries.

Especially like the situation right now, happening after the trade deadline, leaving little room for adjustments.

“My idea is to cut either Boris or David, and then sign a guard on the buyout market.

Nelson, Sessions, and Temple would be worth considering. They all have contracts, but I can communicate with them privately.”

Demps continued.

The longer he stayed with Tang Tian, the more homework he started to do.

“That’s a way.”

Tang Tian affirmed Demps’ proposal.

Demps smiled happily after hearing that.

He basically listened to Tang Tian before, and Tang Tian rarely approved of his proposals.

“But I think there’s a better way.”

Tang Tian then said.

Demps nodded and listened attentively.

It was already good enough that Tang Tian could approve of his suggestion, and he also knew that Tang Tian definitely had a better way.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come here.

“Malcolm’s injury will take at most two months to recover, in other words, he can still make the playoffs, so I don’t think we necessarily need to sign a new player.”

“But Malcolm’s condition after recovering from the injury…”

Demps voiced his concerns.

“That is a problem, but I believe in him. He has been a very mature player since entering the league, and his ability to adjust is very strong.”

Demps nodded after listening to what Tang Tian said.

Brogdon really couldn't be compared to the average rookie, or even the average player; he was just too mature.

Moreover, a wrist sprain wasn’t considered a major injury.

“But the team’s guard line for these two months…”

Tang Tian’s words made Demps stop worrying about the future, but he was still worried about the present, or rather, these next two months.

“This is an opportunity for Derrick and Alex; we actually have quite a few point guards.”

Tang Tian continued.

If it had been before the season, he might not have said that.

After all, Rose had been injured and unable to play, and Caruso hadn’t proven his NBA-caliber abilities in front of others.

But now it was different.

Rose's performance after recovering from his injury had been very stable, playing very efficiently in limited minutes.

Although Caruso's opportunities were relatively fewer, his performance in the Development League had been very impressive.

Plus, there was Lamb, who was already performing well.

With Brogdon injured, what he did could actually be shared by Rose, Lamb, and Caruso.

And as he said, this was an opportunity for the three of them, especially Rose and Caruso.

With increased playing time, if they could seize the opportunity, they could occupy a better position in the rotation.

After listening to Tang Tian, Demps felt much more at ease, but there was still a trace of unease in his heart.

After all, now it was just the two of them talking, and no one could guarantee that Rose and Caruso would perform better with more opportunities, nor could anyone guarantee that Brogdon would return to his pre-injury state after recovering.

“Don’t worry anymore, even if the situation really develops in the worst possible direction, there’s still me.”

Tang Tian smiled at Demps when he saw that he hadn’t completely relaxed.

Hearing this sentence, Demps paused, and then nodded with a big laugh.

He was really completely relieved now.

Tang Tian occasionally played point guard for the team this season, and the effect was very good.

In other words, Tang Tian was the Pelicans’ strongest point guard.

Except for the inside, which he couldn’t play now, he could play all three positions, and he could play them the best.

After resting for five days, the Pelicans ushered in their first game after the All-Star break, against the Bucks, who had just formed a four-star lineup.

The Bucks had played three games against the Pelicans before, including preseason and regular season, and lost all three, losing a total of 90 points.

This was an absolute record of shame.

Now that they had a four-star lineup, plus Brogdon was injured, and they were playing at home, they really wanted to avenge their shame.

The Bradley Center was also packed that night.

It wasn’t just the Pelicans effect; they were even more eager than the Bucks players for the team to avenge their shame.

At least even if they couldn't win, they had to lose with some dignity.

The game started quickly, with both sides sending out their full starting lineups.

Al Horford's arrival really helped the Bucks a lot.

On the defensive end, the inside duo formed by him and Antetokounmpo greatly reduced the Pelicans' attacks on the basket, and on the offensive end, his playmaking ability was far better than Monroe.

Coupled with his mental attributes, the Bucks' overall strength had improved much more than expected.

After the first quarter, they only trailed the Pelicans by 13 points, 28 to 41.

The fans at the scene were relieved to see the score.

Having lived through hard times, even a slight improvement in conditions could make people feel extremely happy.

"They lack scoring points on the outside, which is a very rare opportunity. Take advantage of this time to continue to narrow the score."

The Bucks' new coach, Budenholzer, also continued to encourage his players during the quarter break.

As a Spurs-system coach and Tang Tian's former top assistant, his lack of success with the Hawks made him even more eager at the Bucks.

This was also his original intention to work hard to push the management at the trade deadline and bring his former favorite player Horford to Milwaukee.

He wanted to change this team.

Starting with the game against the Pelicans!

After the timeout, both sides gradually substituted their benches.

Budenholzer glanced at the Pelicans' bench and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Tang Tian resting off the court.

He had a good relationship with Tang Tian, and he also knew Tang Tian's current strength very well. Now that Tang Tian was resting, it was an opportunity for the Bucks.

Dellavedova came up and received Hayward's pass on a drive, hitting a three-pointer and narrowing the point difference to 10 points.

Budenholzer clenched his fists secretly on the sidelines, a little excited.

But his excitement didn't last long, as Rose turned around and shook off Dellavedova to score on a layup.

Hayward's layup missed.

Turning around again, Rose drove again, attracting a double team before passing the ball to Siakam at the first time.

The Bucks' defense was quick, and Siakam didn't have time to shoot.

But he was smart, seeing Rose running to the outside, he passed the ball to him hand-to-hand, and then used a screen to block his man.

Rose dribbled to the three-point line, which was an opportunity, and he shot directly without hesitation.

Shooting was closely related to a person's confidence. The more you made, the more accurate you were.

Rose's three-point shooting percentage this season reached a career high of 37%, and his shot was quite decisive.

"Swish!"

With a crisp sound, the basketball went into the net.

Rose's three-pointer went in!

The Pelicans reopened the point difference to 13 points.

Tang Tian reached out and applauded Rose on the sidelines.

He had told Demps before that this was an opportunity for Rose and Caruso, after all, Brogdon would be absent for nearly 2 months.

As a result, Rose seized the opportunity in this first game.