Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.

His good performance after being touched on the head by Tang Tian, and poor performance when not, made him believe Tang Tian's saying, "Better to believe it than not."

As for whether it was really good or not, human nature is just like that!

That evening, the Pelicans and Trail Blazers game tipped off at the New Orleans Arena.

It's worth mentioning that Anthony hadn't played a game since the trade deadline, and his Trail Blazers career was already counting down.

The game went as expected, with the Pelicans continuing their good form and suppressing their opponents from the start.

Although Lillard remained in great shape, the performance of the other Trail Blazers players was noticeably worse compared to last season.

The Pelicans eventually beat their opponents 106-86, extending their winning streak to 11 games.

Tang Tian only played three quarters, racking up a triple-double of 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Davis continued his stable form after his recovery, contributing 19 points and 7 rebounds in three quarters.

Kuzma's form rebounded again, scoring 15 points and 5 rebounds.

After the game, Kuzma looked at Tang Tian with gratitude in his eyes.

Although girls are good, money is better.

For him, he was already a little handsome, and with more money, he would naturally have girls.

As for whether he would go bald or not, that wasn't so important, and it wasn't said that being touched would definitely lead to baldness!

If worst came to worst, he'd just get a hair transplant!

So, whether Tang Tian touching his head really worked, or it was just a psychological effect, he had a firm idea after playing this game.

He had to be touched on the head, and he had to be touched every day!

Looking at Kuzma's hungry look, Tang Tian suddenly wondered if he had chosen the wrong target?

Time flew by quickly, and it was March 1st in the blink of an eye.

For the general managers of each team, their last busy day of the season had arrived.

The buyout deadline.

There were a lot of big names on the buyout market this year, and Anthony, DeAndre Jordan, Matthews, Kanter, and Gasol were all bought out one after another.

The Pelicans had sent out Dedmon and Crowder in previous trades, only getting Gasol in return, and now there were only 14 players on the roster.

This was an opportunity for them.

Dempsey also began to discuss it with Tang Tian, and began to contact these potential players.

In addition to these players who had been rumored to be bought out before, Gortat, Tyson Chandler, and Monroe were also bought out one after another.

For the Pelicans, they had a much wider range of choices this year than before.

Among these players, Anthony was the biggest name, DeAndre Jordan was the most ready to play, and Matthews was what the Pelicans needed most.

But in fact, their help to the Pelicans was relatively limited.

The Pelicans' rotation was already relatively complete.

Intense games with an 8-man rotation: Alexander, Kuzma, Siakam;

Normal games with a 9-man rotation: Alexander, Kuzma, Siakam, Harrell;

Easy games with a 10-man rotation: in addition to these four substitutes, Parker, Carter, and Ding Yanyuhang could be the 10th person;

Any players signed would either compete with Parker and the others for the 10th spot, or just sit on the bench.

But nothing is absolute, Alexander and Kuzma both had a common disadvantage: not enough experience.

And the players who were bought out were mostly veterans, and experience was their biggest advantage.

"Matthews, I guess."

Tang Tian said to Dempsey after screening.

The Pelicans were relatively weak on the outside, and Matthews was a 3&D-type swingman.

As analyzed before, he was the most suitable for the Pelicans.

With the instruction, Dempsey turned around and went to discuss it with Matthews.

Matthews was 33 years old this year, and he was still averaging 13.1 points for the Knicks this season, with a shooting percentage of 41% and a three-point percentage of 38.1%.

His age and performance didn't match his big contract, but after being bought out, it was a different story.

He was the biggest commodity in this year's buyout market, except for DeAndre Jordan.

Dempsey quickly brought back the news to Tang Tian that Matthews was unwilling to come to the Pelicans.

The reason was simple, he didn't think the Pelicans could give him enough playing time.

Although 33 years old was a bit old, he couldn't say he was completely unable to play, and he didn't want this year to be the last year of his career.

He eventually chose the Pacers, where he could even be offered a starting position.

This choice was reasonable.

And at the same time, DeAndre Jordan also chose to join the Knicks after being bought out by the Cavaliers.

The reason was similar to Matthews, he needed exposure to show that he still had the ability to fight, so that he would have a chance to get a big contract in the summer.

The best and the most suitable didn't come, and the Pelicans didn't gain anything at the buyout deadline.

It didn't make sense to sign the remaining players.

"Sign Trier."

Tang Tian finally gave Dempsey a suggestion.

Trier signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans last summer. Although he didn't have many opportunities, he played very well in the Development League.

Anyway, signing anyone was signing, and they were all sitting on the bench, so it's better to give this opportunity to his own rookie.

"There's someone who wants to come, but I don't think you'll want him."

Dempsey nodded after hearing this, but he still said something more.

"Hmm?"

Dempsey's words made Tang Tian a little curious.

"Melo."

But when Dempsey said the name, Tang Tian immediately understood.

Anthony had reached a buyout agreement with the Trail Blazers, for which he gave up a lot of salary.

"He didn't go to Los Angeles?"

But Tang Tian was still puzzled, this brother was bought out, James would definitely recruit him as soon as possible.

"No, there's no news from the Lakers."

After listening to Dempsey's words, Tang Tian was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help shaking his head.

It seemed that the friendship of the Banana Boat Crew was as worthless as the words themselves.

The banana boat is a boat, and it can be capsized.

But this also coincided with James' character.

Anthony's state was sluggish with the Trail Blazers this season. If the Lakers signed him, it must be James' favor.

In other words, if Anthony was signed, James would definitely be sprayed by fans for interfering with the team's management again.

So for the sake of image, James wouldn't do that.

But people value different things. Tang Tian showed up at the draft site for the team's sake, and he didn't feel anything when he was sprayed for interfering with management.

If Walker or Butler were bought out one day, he would interfere with the management no matter what and have them signed.

The NBA is a commercial league, but he is not a businessman.

History repeated itself in the end. In history, Anthony desperately sought a retirement season, and the Lakers didn't give it to him in the end even though they had the spot.

"It's not impossible, but we can't guarantee playing time, and he has to obey the team's arrangements."

Tang Tian said after thinking about it.

Anthony's injury broke out late, and his strength was stronger than in the same period in history.

In other words, there was still gas in his tank, and if he was in good form or the team had injuries, he could step up.

Trier couldn't compare to this.

"I've already said all of this, and he's agreed to it."

"I can feel that he gave up the opportunity to compete for a championship for money at the beginning, and now he wants this opportunity."

Dempsey had done a lot of preparatory work before.

"Then let him come."

Tang Tian nodded.

Anthony had lowered his stance so much, there was no harm in signing him.