Derrick Rose.

Rose still hasn't signed!

Similar to Wade's situation, there were rumors that Rose would be bought out at last season's trade deadline.

And like Wade, the buyout ultimately remained just a rumor. He finished the last year of his contract with the Wizards.

The difference with Wade, though, is that Rose is a free agent now and still hasn't signed.

Tang Tian was pretty surprised by this.

Even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse; even though Rose's strength has declined severely due to injuries, he's still NBA rotation level.

He'd faced Rose in the Drew League this year, so he could confirm that.

And if you take a step back and don't look at strength, but at popularity, signing him to sell tickets would be good too!

But obviously, the league's attitude towards these washed-up stars is generally cold.

See Iverson and McGrady back then, two of the four major guards who drifted around at the end of their careers.

Not to mention Rose, who's already been tested by the Knicks and Wizards and doesn't have much gas left in the tank.

"No one wants him even at the minimum salary?"

Tang Tian couldn't help but ask.

In his memory, Rose's performance after the injury had declined a lot, but his NBA career didn't end there. He later had a second spring in his career with the Timberwolves.

Under Thibodeau, he even had a 50-point game in Minnesota, breaking his career scoring record.

And it was only 2017 now.

"Yes, Cleveland and Chicago are willing to sign him, and they're offering the minimum salary, but he's hesitating."

"Hesitating?"

"He's very competitive, and he's only 29 years old, which is the peak and golden age for NBA players."

After hearing what Demps said, Tang Tian understood immediately.

Rose rose to fame in the 2010-2011 season, the year before he entered the league.

That was still the basketball style of the early century, and Rose's style was very similar to the superstars of the early century.

Just like Iverson never wanted to be a substitute until he retired, this minimum salary might be Rose's last dignity and bottom line.

Moreover, there is a "salary inertia" principle in the NBA, which means that it is difficult for players to get back to a high salary after taking a minimum salary, and there is even a high probability that they will quickly fade out of the league.

This may be another reason why Rose is hesitating.

Rose and Adidas signed a 13-year, $185 million contract.

This contract was previously exposed by *Sports Illustrated* reporter Jone Wertheim.

Although it was only a 13-year contract, the content of this contract was very similar to the lifetime contract that Tang Tian, ​​James, and Nike signed.

The contract stipulates that in addition to paying Rose $12 million a year, Adidas also needs to pay Rose's brother Reggie Rose $250,000 to $300,000, and Rose's friend Randall Hampton an annual salary of $50,000 to $75,000.

They even need to sponsor Rose's former AAU team and high school league team, spending $165,000 and $50,000 respectively on sports equipment.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg of that 40-page contract.

It can be said that Rose was the leading player Adidas was trying to promote.

But this contract also has a provision that Rose must still play in the NBA.

So, considering all these factors, Rose's current situation should be quite difficult.

On the one hand, he doesn't want to sign a minimum salary, and on the other hand, Adidas's contract forces him to sign.

He might not even have a next year after signing this year.

"I remember we still have a mid-level exception of 2.4 million?"

Tang Tian suddenly thought of something.

Demps nodded.

"How much is Rose's minimum salary?"

Tang Tian then asked.

"2.1 million."

Demps replied.

The minimum salary for NBA players is linked to the annual salary and salary cap. This is Rose's ninth season, and according to the new salary cap, it is 2.1 million.

"I think we can sign him, it's a good deal."

Tang Tian then said.

As a time-traveler, he knew that Rose would have a second spring, although not in this season in history.

But the Pelicans are also different from the Cavaliers in history.

The Cavaliers in history signed Rose to put out fires, but the Pelicans have a strong lineup and don't need Rose to do so much.

In other words, Rose will have plenty of time to recover from his injuries in New Orleans, and then come out to play after his injuries have healed.

As for whether he can ultimately play well, it's not that important.

It would be best if he could play well, but 2.4 million is nothing in the NBA if he can't.

Taking a step back, Rose has many fans, and the money from selling tickets and boosting the sales of Pelicans' peripheral products is more than that.

"But will he sign for 2.4 million?"

Demps asked back.

2.4 million is not much different from the minimum salary of 2.1 million.

"Yes, he has no choice, and you can say this at the time..."

Tang Tian then said to Demps.

After hearing this, Demps suddenly slapped his thigh and then gave Tang Tian a thumbs up.

Even as a general manager, he was really impressed by Tang Tian.

Demps quickly contacted Rose's team.

And as Tang Tian expected, Rose's team quickly agreed to the Pelicans' invitation!

Two days later, the Pelicans officially released a tweet announcing that they had reached a one-year, $2.4 million contract with Rose!

Behind this tweet, there was also a paragraph from Pelicans general manager Demps.

"We are very appreciative of Derrick Rose's abilities. Although the salary we offer is not much, it is the highest salary we can offer now. We believe he is still an NBA All-Star level player!"

After this news was announced, it immediately caused a wave of heated discussions among fans on social media.

"Love the Pelicans, they gave Rose absolute respect, look at other teams who only give the minimum salary, that's the difference!"

"As a Rose fan, I've turned from hating to loving the Pelicans. It doesn't matter if they're a four-star team or not, brotherly basketball doesn't matter, their attitude towards Rose is worth my support!"

"Let the rose bloom again in New Orleans! Derrick Rose!"

……

The Pelicans' signing of Rose was met with praise from fans.

And what Tang Tian told Demps to say had a miraculous effect.

2.4 million is only 300,000 more than the minimum salary, but it is different in meaning, reflecting respect.

Other teams could offer bigger contracts but didn't, while the Pelicans gave them the biggest contract they could give.

After signing Rose, the Pelicans had 15 full guaranteed contracts, plus two-way contracts, the 15+2 lineup was full.

They did not continue to sign non-guaranteed contracts, and prepared to enter the new season with such a lineup.

The upcoming preseason will be their process of running in the lineup and screening rotations.

Time flies, and half a month has passed in a blink of an eye. The NBA preseason has arrived as scheduled.

The Pelicans will also usher in their first game of the preseason, welcoming the Bucks at home.

The fans are most excited at this time.

Although it is only the preseason, after waiting for a long offseason, they can finally see the performance of the Pelicans' brotherly basketball!