No team was willing to offer Walker a four-year Max Contract, but they were all very interested in signing him to a 1+1 deal.
Because the starting salary of a 1+1 deal was much lower than that of a long-term contract, these teams could make offers while taking minimal risk.
They had needed to reach the salary floor anyway. Bringing in Walker would sell tickets, and if he played well enough to prove it was not merely a contract year breakout, they could extend him with a long-term max deal.
If he did not play well, they would at most lose money on one extra year, and the contract itself would not be that large.
That was the reality of the situation. All Tang Tian could do was see which team offered the better opportunity.
Before Walker had even made his decision, there had already been new developments in the trades involving George and Butler.
After failing to change George's determination to go nowhere but the Pelicans, the Pacers management had made it clear that they would not grant his wish.
At that moment, a voice of compromise emerged from the Lakers management. The team's new owner, Jeanie Buss, had begun showing interest in Simmons's proposal to trade for George.
The odds of George joining the Lakers began to skyrocket.
As cries of Lakers Championship rang out, fans of the other teams calmed down somewhat as well.
Of the three Small Forwards who wanted to join the Pelicans, one would very likely be unable to make the move.
And soon enough, another piece of news that delighted them arrived.
According to Woj, the Rockets believed they were in the absolute lead in the race for Butler.
Beyond their Big Three, the Rockets had Gordon, Capela, Tucker, and Morris as quality