“If there's a chance, I'll help you set up a meeting with her.”

Tang Tian didn't give a definite answer.

Scarlett had pursued him back then, only to be rejected. Going back to her now just didn't feel right.

"Thanks."

Durant was already dizzy just hearing Scarlett's name, not even paying attention to what Tang Tian was saying.

Tang Tian couldn't help but shake his head at Durant's reaction.

Durant was truly obsessed.

It might not even be love.

Just like Scarlett's pursuit of him back then, it was purely a desire to conquer and possess.

"Kevin, you don't necessarily have to be hung up on Scarlett. Maybe she's not as good as you imagine."

Tang Tian advised.

"I know, I know."

Durant didn't listen, just responded with a smile.

Tang Tian didn't say much more.

Everyone has their own thoughts.

On the first morning of the trade deadline, a flurry of signing information exploded.

Kristaps Porziņģis and the Suns reached a 4-year, $122 million max extension, with a player option in the final year.

Devin Booker and the Bulls reached a 5-year, $158 million max extension, with a player option in the final year.

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves reached a 5-year, $190 million supermax extension, with a player option in the final year.

Kyrie Irving and the Bucks reached a 5-year, $190 million max extension, with a player option in the final year.

Klay Thompson and the Warriors reached a 5-year, $220 million supermax extension, with a player option in the final year.

Big-money extension contracts were being revealed first, and the amounts were getting higher and higher.

Because of the broadcast contract, this batch of players could be said to have caught the best era.

These signings were all expected, but some of the signings that followed were somewhat unexpected, even shocking.

Brook Lopez and the Bucks reached a 4-year, $54 million signing contract!

It seemed the Bucks felt their spacing last season wasn't big enough, and they were going to implement the one star, four shooters tactic to the end!

In contrast, the Lakers hadn't managed to secure Durant and had already lost their starting center.

Tobias Harris re-signed with the Mavericks for 5 years, $180 million.

This deal caused the Mavericks' payroll to skyrocket to the top of the league, making it difficult for them to re-sign Holiday next year.

It was Cuban making a choice between the two, or he saw Tang Tian retire and didn't want to give up such a good opportunity next season.

This was also the impact of the Tatum rule, which further compressed the survival space of super teams.

In a few years, a two-core lineup would become the configuration of most teams, and even single-core teams might reappear.

Draymond Green pre-signed a 4-year, $80 million extension with the Warriors.

This price was far from the max, even less than many second-tier stars in the current free market, which was really shocking.

But considering Green's current situation, this was the result both sides wanted.

Green performed poorly last season, but the Warriors' system still relied on Green, and Green had no confidence in his free market prospects next year.

Blake Griffin demanded a trade from the Thunder, and he was eventually sent to the Celtics.

After giving up accumulated draft picks and young players, Ainge used the space after Whiteside's contract expired to take on Griffin.

Walker + Tatum + Griffin, the Celtics would still be very competitive in the East next season.

The Thunder were forced to trade Griffin, and in exchange got a bunch of draft picks, which meant they had entered a rebuild in the new season.

At this time, Westbrook's next home became the focus of all fans.

Social media was also full of discussion.

But such discussions didn't last long before being covered by a piece of news that Woj dropped later.

Kevin Durant has joined the New Orleans Pelicans for 4 years, $164 million!

"???"

"Fake! Woj got it wrong! Durant to the Pelicans?? Kevin Durant to the Pelicans???"

"This is even more unbelievable than when Durant went to the Warriors! No, this is as unbelievable as Tang Tian's retirement!"

"The Pelicans' official website has already confirmed the news, and according to Woj's follow-up report, it was Tang Tian who persuaded Durant to join."

"..."

"凸(｀0´)凸. Tang Niu Pi~~" (Tang so awesome)

"Tang 'I'm retired but still awesome beyond belief' Tian."

"I'm a Lakers fan, what do I do? (；′⌒`)"

"Oh my god, first Tang Tian retires, then Durant joins the Pelicans, the league is in chaos!"

"Trash Durant, trash Pelicans!"

"I said it during the All-Star game, Durant is a natural rebel, he just defected again, trash!"

"Hehe, a dog can't change its ways, what a waste of my King's full enthusiasm. If it had been Leonard last season, we would have won the championship long ago!"

"It's over, Lakers fans have gone crazy."

"Little Shuai, I love you to death! As a Pelicans fan, I want to say New Orleans welcomes you!"

"Little Shuai, I want to have your babies!"

"Little Shuai, I love you! Protecting the best Little Shuai in the world!"

"Little Shuai, you are the most handsome in the universe! @UniverseInvincibleLittleShuai"

"Actually, you all misunderstood Little Shuai. Didn't you notice that a few years ago, Little Shuai used his ID to express his inner thoughts? @GodfatherFan"

"Yes, if you open Little Shuai's side account, it's not hard to find that he has always been a Pelicans fan @JokicFan @DavisFan @DiawFan @..."

"(ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ I'm dying of laughter, see you in court!"

"Lan's Silence Spell!"

...

Durant joining the Pelicans, like copy and paste, had covered all the previous news.

And the side account meme was born from social media.

Before, Durant secretly using a side account to slander Tang Tian was disdained by fans, but now it's been dug up to prove his identity as a Tang Tian fan.

The effect of this reversal can be described as perfect.

Even on Google's encyclopedia, someone had added the Godfather fan tag to Durant.

Lakers fans were cursing in exasperation, but Pelicans fans were already ecstatic.

And not just the joy in front of them, like Benson, Tang Tian's first operation as management had already made them so excited.

In the years to come, they could feel the changes Tang Tian as management would bring to this team.

Good things come in pairs.

Just when Durant officially announced his joining the Pelicans, rookie Keldon Johnson, representing the Pelicans in the Sacramento Summer League, had an eye-catching performance.

In the game against the Grizzlies, he shot 10 of 17 from the field, scoring 29 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block, and led the team to a 98-84 victory over their opponents.

On the other side, Morant shot 6 of 17 with only 17 points and 9 assists.

Carter, who was working as a part-time commentator on the sidelines, exclaimed during the game and compared Johnson to "Little Westbrook".

This metaphor also sparked a heated discussion among fans after the game.

A 27th overall pick won against the second overall pick, and was called Little Westbrook, confirming that the Pelicans are the best at picking and developing rookies.

Now looking back at Tang Tian's two operations after taking office as management, selecting Johnson and digging up Durant.

Perhaps it really was as Tang Tian said, he was still the Godfather that Pelicans fans knew well, just existing in a different way.