This deal, at first glance, looks like a loss for the Lakers.

But that’s actually what Howard is worth now.

His stats have declined significantly in these two years with the Lakers, and the impact of his back injury is much greater than imagined.

Plus, with the remaining 4 years of his max contract, most teams don't dare to take him.

The Knicks did this deal partly because they have always had a habit of chasing superstars, and also because it was a bargaining chip to keep Anthony.

The Anthony + Howard combination is very competitive in the East.

And the Lakers' trading intentions are even more obvious. They traded away Howard, who was at odds with Kobe, successfully got rid of the latter's big contract, and got Chandler and Shumpert, who are both ready to play.

With Kobe turning 38 soon, this is like betting on one last shot.

The trade between the Knicks and the Lakers was earth-shattering.

But this is like a breach that let the dam burst. Before the fans could recover, they were submerged by the subsequent signings.

Cuban took the lead. After confirming the old and new inside duo of Nowitzki and Embiid, he began to grab the third giant.

The Rockets' Parsons became his target.

Parsons performed well for the Rockets, but his strength had not yet reached the max salary level, and Morey had been trying to suppress the price.

This gave Cuban an opportunity. He took advantage of the situation and quickly reached a three-year, $46 million max salary contract with Parsons.

This is a very obvious overvalued contract, but now Morey only has three days to consider.

If he matches it, the Rockets' recruitment space may be blocked.

You should know that Morey is now focused on chasing Anthony.

When the two teams met not long ago, there was even an incident where Lin Shuhao's No. 7 jersey was photoshopped onto Anthony's jersey.

Now that Anthony's next home is undecided, Morey has been outmaneuvered by his old rival Cuban.

The outside world is watching how Morey will operate.

If he doesn't operate well, they may end up empty-handed, just like the entire offseason.

As the free market progressed to this point, everyone was mixed together.

James is waiting for the Heat to strengthen, the Heat are waiting for James and Bosh's decision, and the Rockets are determined to get Anthony, but are forced into a desperate situation by the Mavericks.

One ring is linked to another, and each ring is interlocked.

Just as everything was entangled, Bosh, the connecting point and key figure in all of this, made a decision.

He reached a four-year, $90 million max salary renewal contract with the Rockets!

In this way, the Rockets would have Harden + Bosh in one fell swoop, and as long as they dealt with Asik and Lin Shuhao's respective $8 million contracts in the last year, they would still be able to offer Anthony a max salary contract!

Harden + Bosh + Anthony, this is a sure-fire championship-contending lineup!

Bosh's decision directly brought the Rockets from the agonizing hell to heaven.

And his departure instantly broke up the Heat.

Bosh directly changed the格局 (geju - overall situation, landscape) of the entire league this time!

Howard's trade didn't cause a stir among fans before, after all, Kobe and Howard's discord in last year's playoffs was obvious, and Howard even suffered a DNP (Did Not Play) within the team, which was considered a harbinger.

But Bosh's move really blew up social media.

"Why? Why? Why?!"

"I don't understand at all, the Heat just won the championship, there is no reason for Bosh to leave!"

"Could it be that he is no longer willing to be the third giant? Or does Houston's tax-free status allow him to get more money?"

"It should be possible, the Big Three took a pay cut when they teamed up, and now that everyone has finally won the championship as they wished, it is time for everyone to have their own ideas."

"The Rockets really have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity now, my melon (nickname for Carmelo Anthony), you must come!"

"Rockets championship!"

"Rockets stocks are up, so are Heat stocks down?"

"Now the only thing that can save Riley is Anthony!"

"Tsk tsk, is this Brother Basketball 2.0 version? Replace a brother who left with a new brother?"

"Laughing and crying ~"

……

Fans and the media don't know Bosh's original intention for choosing to go to the Rockets, and even his Heat teammates and management don't know.

Only Bosh himself knows the truth.

After the Heat lost two years ago, James and Jones complained about Bosh being "soft" in the bathroom.

Bosh didn't say anything when he heard it at the time, but the knot has always been there.

In addition, there was unprecedented hype from fans and the media about James during the championship parade.

The feeling is that if we don't win the championship, it's all the fault of our teammates, and if we win the championship, it's all your credit, James?

I've been playing with you for four years, only a fool would continue!

So, of course, he left after winning the championship!

What's more, he will have more money and shots in Houston!

Bosh's decision set off another storm in the free market after Howard, and the person who can escalate the storm next has become Anthony.

If Anthony goes to the Rockets, the Rockets are championship favorites; if Anthony goes to the Heat, the Heat are championship favorites.

Even Anthony can go to the Bulls to join forces with Rose, plus Butler, and they are also championship favorites!

Anthony hasn't made a decision yet, but Morey's pressure is unprecedented at this time.

Because there are only three days to decide whether to match Parsons, if Anthony finally decides after this time, and the Rockets don't match and Anthony doesn't come, then the Rockets' championship slogan will be aborted.

Cuban's move is really hitting the nail on the head.

Now we are just waiting for the three-day matching period to expire.

The Rockets, Mavericks, Heat, Lakers, and Knicks have become the most active teams in the free market.

Howard, Bosh, Anthony, and James are the most watched focus in the free market.

In this process, Demps is also working hard to strengthen the Pelicans.

However, he encountered setbacks in this process.

Hayward rejected him at the beginning, and then Bradley also politely declined.

Not everyone is Tang Tian, ​​willing to come to a small city like New Orleans.

After some twists and turns, the Pelicans' target for strengthening the team finally came to a stage of choosing between two people.

"Luol Deng, or Ariza."

Demps gave Tang Tian the results of his last efforts.

Deng is a veteran with a lot of experience, which will be of great help to the young Pelicans. Moreover, he has three-pointers and defense, is physically strong, and can withstand James.

Ariza is at his peak, and he also has three-pointers and defense, but his performance is generally unstable and his body is thin.

"Deng's contract is negotiated to 2 years and 20 million, and Ariza is 4 years and 40 million."

Demps then talked about the contracts of the two, the annual salary is the same, but Deng is a veteran and the term will be shorter.

"Personally, I prefer Deng, and our young players can also have a succession process as they grow up."

Demps also gave his own opinion at the end.

Tang Tian nodded after listening, Demps' analysis was fine.

"Choose Ariza."

Tang Tian said.

Demps almost vomited blood, was Tang Tian's nod just now a habitual action? A忽悠人 (huyouren - someone who cons people)!

"Our growth will be very fast, we need long-term immediate combat power."

Tang Tian gave Demps a reason.

Demps' analysis is correct, but the growth rate of him and Davis cannot be viewed with normal eyes.

There are also Jokic and Whiteside, who are both underrated players.

In other words, the Pelicans' progress is beyond general common sense.

So, under this premise, they need Ariza, a player with lasting immediate combat power, rather than letting Deng do the job of inheritance.

Moreover, a team must have veterans, young players, and also role players like Ariza who are at their peak.