Tang Tian nodded.

"Isn't... is it... necessary for us?"

Dempsey was even more surprised and confused to see Tang Tian nod.

If Gasol could be traded, it would indeed be a boost to the Pelicans' current strength.

But Gasol had a contract of more than 20 million this season, and a player option of 25 million next season.

Tang Tian and Green's contracts would both expire next season, and there would be considerable salary pressure when it came time to renew them.

And if they were really going to trade, they might as well have kept Walker or Butler!

"It is."

Tang Tian gave a definite answer.

The Walker and Butler matter was in the past, and the two were doing well in their respective teams now.

So there was nothing wrong with his original choice.

The problem now was that the Pelicans really needed to make this trade.

Tang Tian was a transmigrator, and he knew how much strength Gasol still had.

In history, the Raptors were ultimately able to win the championship not only because of Leonard's consistent performance and "Van Jordan" Fred VanVleet's divine descent in the Finals, but also because of Gasol.

Gasol was crucial both in the Eastern Conference playoffs against All-Star centers like Vucevic and Embiid, and in the Finals.

In other words, the 34-year-old veteran still had plenty of gas in the tank.

If the Grizzlies hadn't chosen to rebuild, and he had led the team with impressive stats, his trade value would have been far more than just this.

The Gasol brothers were both European big men, and their reliance on physical talent wasn't as strong as that of black, rough, and tough players.

Of course, in addition to Gasol's remaining strength, the Pelicans' interior was too weak this season.

Originally, Dedmon's 6 million annual salary made him a cost-effective 3-and-D interior player.

But his performance this season had been too sluggish, and not just for a few games, but consistently sluggish since the beginning of the season.

Otherwise, Stevens wouldn't have taken him out of the starting lineup.

Davis was prone to injury playing center, which wasn't a long-term solution. Harrell was better suited to coming off the bench due to his height, and Robinson was still a rookie.

The Pelicans' need for a center wasn't urgent, but if they didn't make a trade, it would be a big problem in the playoffs.

Even if Davis were to get injured, Tang Tian would really have to shoot until he was dry every night to win four consecutive championships.

So this was also why Tang Tian said it was necessary.

"Gasol's contract is a bit big, but if it can provide a boost for the team to complete four consecutive championships, it's worth it after weighing the pros and cons," Tang Tian finally said to Dempsey.

Dempsey nodded after listening.

He was convinced by Tang Tian, and then he trotted out of the manor to make the trade.

The Raptors were in the middle of negotiations with the Grizzlies, and the Pelicans needed to hurry if they wanted to intervene.

Moreover, this trade would likely involve a third party, so the time left for him was very tight.

As the trade deadline approached, more trades were being finalized.

The Celtics acquired Mirotic from the Bulls, further strengthening their strength.

With a lineup of Walker + Tatum + Mirotic + Whiteside, they would pose a strong challenge to the Bucks in the East.

The completion of this trade also put further pressure on Dempsey.

If the Raptors wanted to compete with these two main rivals, their need for Gasol was even greater.

And as the trade deadline drew closer, the Raptors' trade chips were also revealed.

Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles, and a future second-round pick, four-for-one.

Valanciunas was the Raptors' starting center, averaging 12+8 per season, with two years left on his contract, and an annual salary of less than 20 million.

Wright, the 20th pick in 2015, although his contract expired this summer, was also a valuable rotation player with potential for development.

Miles, with two years left on his contract, at 8 million per year.

This chip wasn't great, but it wasn't too bad either.

Especially Valanciunas, a younger European interior player than Gasol, who the Grizzlies liked and could develop.

It wouldn't be easy for the Pelicans to compete with him.

Tang Tian was waiting for Dempsey's call, and he did indeed receive it, with only half an hour left before the trade deadline.

"I've arranged a four-team trade, but Memphis is insisting on Kuzma."

Four teams, besides the Pelicans and the Grizzlies, there were also the Clippers and the Jazz.

Previous rumors that the Clippers were looking for a backup center and that the Jazz wanted to get Crowder had been confirmed to be true.

They had therefore joined this trade.

The specific plan for the four-team trade.

Pelicans: Send out Dedmon, Crowder, Kuzma, a 10 million trade exception from the Clippers, and get Marc Gasol;

Clippers: Send out Milos Teodosic and a future second-round pick, and get Dedmon;

Jazz: Send out Sefolosha and a future second-round pick, and get Crowder;

Grizzlies: Send out Marc Gasol, get Teodosic, Sefolosha, Kuzma, a 10 million trade exception, and future second-round picks from the Jazz and Clippers respectively;

In this four-team trade, the first three teams were getting what they needed.

But for the Grizzlies, the Teodosic and Sefolosha they received were expiring contracts, and the trade exception was just air.

These would be huge salary cap spaces for them next summer.

And Kuzma and those two second-round rookies were their future.

The Grizzlies were maximizing their profits by seizing the opportunity of having the Pelicans and Raptors competing.

"Kuzma can't be given away. If the Grizzlies insist, we'll only trade with the Jazz," Tang Tian replied to Dempsey.

Gasol was a boost for the Pelicans, but not worth sacrificing Kuzma for.

And the lesson from the offseason was there.

Back then, Thomas Bryant was traded away to complete the Butler trade.

If Bryant was still on the team, Dedmon's poor performance could have been covered by Bryant.

Dempsey took Tang Tian's instructions and went back to negotiate.

Other teams' trades were progressing one after another.

However, there were two people who had been rumored about a lot before but hadn't had any final news.

One was Marc Gasol, and the other was Anthony.

The trade deadline was approaching.

Tang Tian thought the trade had fallen through, and he was preparing to discuss with Stevens how to have Davis play the center position while avoiding injuries.

Dempsey called him back.

The four-team trade was finalized two minutes before the deadline.

The Grizzlies finally exchanged Kuzma for a 2023 second-round pick, choosing to send Gasol to the Pelicans.

A draft pick so far in the future was a bet that the Pelicans' future record would decline.

This four-team trade was a buzzer-beater, and also the last trade of this year's trade deadline.

It was like a game-winning shot.