Chapter Summaries

Tang Tian learned that the league owners had brought Xiao Hua back and planned major changes, including legalized betting and a shortened schedule, and decided to retaliate by building an overwhelming Pelicans team. He ordered Dempsey to pursue Butler in a trade involving Jokic and promised that further moves would leave other teams with no hope next season.

• Fans criticized the owners’ plans to legalize betting and reduce the season to fifty-eight games, and worried that the Pelicans would never become a Dynasty Team.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian what Benson had reported about the league office, and Tang Tian said he was going to retaliate against society.
• Dempsey updated Tang Tian on the trade market: Irving was nearing a move to the Bucks, George’s destination had become uncertain, the Rockets led for Butler, and Hayward remained interested in the Pelicans.
• Dempsey recommended pursuing Hayward, but Tang Tian rejected that plan and told him to contact the Mavericks about Butler.
• Tang Tian instructed Dempsey to include Jokic in the Butler deal and said acquiring Butler was only the first of several steps toward making the Pelicans unbeatable.

Tang Tian laid out Plan B for building a dominant Pelicans roster by clearing cap space and signing Kemba Walker, while accepting that Nikola Jokic and longtime teammates would have to be sacrificed. He left Dempsey to begin the plan and sat with sadness over the cost of the league’s actions.

• Tang Tian told Dempsey to move carefully, clear salary cap space, and sign Walker as the next steps in Plan B.
• Dempsey realized Walker could join Tang Tian, Butler, and Davis, creating a powerful lineup with strong chemistry and pick-and-roll potential.
• Tang Tian explained that Jokic’s expiring contract and diminished production under the new officiating standards made him the key piece to trade for Butler.
• Dempsey agreed to proceed one step at a time, and Tang Tian felt sorrow over the teammates, including Holiday and Ariza, who would have to leave.

Xiao Hua returned to power and dismissed concerns about the Pelicans’ trade plans while free-agent signings and major deals reshaped the league. The Cavaliers, Bucks, and Pacers completed a three-team trade, and the Pelicans and Mavericks then agreed to a deal sending Jimmy Butler to New Orleans.

• Xiao Hua promoted Joe Borgia to Chief Vice President, and Borgia reported that the league’s transition was proceeding smoothly.
• Shams reported that the Cavaliers, Pacers, and Bucks were likely to trade Irving, George, and Middleton, while Woj reported that the Pelicans had added Jokic to their offer for Butler.
• Xiao Hua rejected Borgia’s suggestion to interfere with the Pelicans’ trade, believing the deal would weaken their championship roster.
• The Cavaliers traded Irving for Paul George and the Bucks’ 2018 and 2020 second-round picks; the Bucks acquired Irving and the Pacers’ protected 2018 first-round pick; and the Pacers received Middleton and Jabari Parker.
• Woj reported that the Pelicans and Mavericks agreed to a trade sending Jrue Holiday and Nikola Jokic to Dallas for Jimmy Butler.

The Pelicans traded Holiday and Jokic for Butler, then sent Ariza to the Rockets for rookie Kuzma, prompting fans to question the team’s direction. After both trades were finalized, Dempsey believed Xiao Hua had failed to understand the Pelicans’ plans.

• Fans debated the Holiday and Jokic trade, questioned the Pelicans’ roster balance, and speculated that more moves were coming.
• Irving appeared in Utah with Antetokounmpo as rumors suggested the Bucks might pursue Hayward in a sign-and-trade.
• The Rockets, Pelicans, and Wizards completed a three-team deal that sent Ariza to Houston and Kuzma to New Orleans; the Pelicans then waived Nicholson.
• Fans criticized Dempsey for trading Ariza for a late first-round pick and feared the Pelicans were dismantling their championship team.
• The Pelicans finalized both trades, said goodbye to Holiday, Jokic, and Ariza, and welcomed Butler, Kuzma, and other new players.
• Dempsey concluded that Xiao Hua had underestimated the Pelicans’ plans.

The Pelicans tried to clear salary cap space for Kemba Walker, but Xiao Hua interfered and the trade sending Lou Williams fell through. With Walker willing to take a pay cut, Tang Tian questioned Dempsey about Xiao Hua’s return vote count, leaving the team’s plan unresolved.

• The Pelicans announced a three-team trade that sent Louis Williams to the Clippers and brought Jarrett Allen and Alan Anderson to New Orleans, then waived Nicholson.
• Joe Borgia warned Xiao Hua that the Pelicans were clearing salary cap space for Kemba Walker and might trade Boban next.
• Xiao Hua called Ballmer to block the deal, and Woj reported a day later that Lou Williams had failed his physical and the trade had fallen through.
• Tang Tian told Dempsey and Walker that Xiao Hua had likely influenced the Clippers, while Dempsey worried the Pelicans could no longer clear enough cap space.
• Walker offered to take a pay cut on a 1+1 contract, but Tang Tian questioned whether the arrangement would be safe and asked Dempsey if Xiao Hua had received exactly 24 votes for his return.

Tang Tian and Dempsey used the vote against Xiao Hua to find trade partners, clearing salary cap space for Kemba Walker. Walker signed a 1+1 contract with the Pelicans, leaving fans convinced the team had become a championship powerhouse.

• Tang Tian reasoned that teams opposing Xiao Hua might help the Pelicans trade away players, and Dempsey contacted them.
• The Pelicans traded Williams to the Utah Jazz for a second-round pick and a trade exception, then sent Boban Marjanovic to the Pistons for picks and another trade exception.
• The trades gave the Pelicans nearly $24 million in cap space, but Walker stopped Dempsey from trading Bojan and agreed to take less money on a 1+1 deal.
• Woj reported that Walker had agreed to a two-year, $49.2 million contract with the Pelicans, including a player option for the second year.
• Fans realized the Pelicans had cleared space for Walker and reacted with despair at the team's apparent championship strength.

After Kemba Walker signed with the Pelicans, reactions erupted across the NBA as teams realized New Orleans had assembled four superstars. The chapter ended with Xiao Hua ordering an investigation into the Pelicans while Kobe celebrated Tang Tian’s role in the upheaval.

• Walker officially signed with the Pelicans, prompting social media outrage and widespread discussion of the team’s four-star lineup.
• Morey and Little Nelson regretted their trades, while Jordan questioned whether he had made a mistake letting Walker leave Charlotte.
• Durant grew furious about the Warriors’ prospects and vented his frustration on a model.
• Xiao Hua blamed the Pistons and Jazz for helping the Pelicans clear salary cap space, then ordered Joe Borgia to investigate New Orleans for under-the-table contracts.
• The Pistons and Jazz celebrated their bargains, while Kobe praised Tang Tian’s apparent handiwork and Vanessa urged him to have a son.

The 2017 free-agency market settled after Gordon Hayward joined the Bucks, while Howard’s worsening back injury sparked debate about players risking their futures by playing through injuries. Before leaving for San Antonio with Davis, Tang Tian received a thank-you from Jokic and thought of Leonard.

• Shams reported that Gordon Hayward would join the Bucks in a sign-and-trade, giving them a Big Three of Irving, Hayward, and Antetokounmpo.
• Jon Horst defended the Bucks’ decision to build a superteam, and the remaining major free agents found destinations as the market quieted down.
• Ian Begley reported that Howard’s back injury had worsened during the Playoffs and that he would miss the entire next season after surgery.
• Fans debated whether players should play through injuries, contrasting Howard’s situation with Jokic’s recovery after Tang Tian kept him out of play.
• Tang Tian received a thank-you text from Jokic before boarding a plane to San Antonio with Davis, then thought of Leonard.

Tang Tian visited Duncan at his auto repair shop in San Antonio and asked him to coach Davis in low-post skills. Duncan agreed, and the story left off with Popovich arriving to join them.

• Tang Tian and Davis traveled to San Antonio and found Duncan at Tim's Repair Shop.
• Davis offered to buy the model Dodge Charger that Tang Tian had given Duncan, and Duncan greeted them.
• Tang Tian recalled Duncan's head-patting skill and explained why it had helped stabilize his Spurs performances.
• Tang Tian asked Duncan to coach Davis at his training camp, and Duncan agreed.
• Duncan left to pick up an acquaintance and returned with Popovich, who greeted Tang Tian and asked when they had last shared a drink.

Tang Tian reunited with Popovich and warned him to take Leonard’s injury and future seriously. Back in New Orleans, Tang started the Brothers of Hard Work training camp, where Duncan and Parker joined and helped coach the players.

• Tang Tian and Popovich shared lunch and drinks at Duncan’s auto repair shop, and Tang urged Popovich to look after Leonard and keep him from leaving the Spurs.
• Tang Tian returned to New Orleans and began the Brothers of Hard Work training camp with Walker, Butler, and Davis.
• Procopio corrected the players’ techniques, while Butler trained in the Mike Kay style and the group teased him whenever Cecilia appeared.
• Duncan arrived at camp with Parker, surprising Tang Tian and delighting Walker, who considered Parker his idol.
• Parker worked with Walker, Duncan coached Davis in low-post skills, and Tang Tian played one-on-one against Butler to improve his ball handling.

Tang Tian and Dempsey discussed how to strengthen the Pelicans’ roster, and Tang recommended Diamond and Carter as free-agent targets. Later, Tang and Walker reminisced about the red jackets they had kept since entering the 2011 NBA Draft.

• The Pelicans trained while Dempsey considered how to fill the team’s remaining roster spots with its Full Mid-Level Exception.
• Tang Tian, Walker, and Davis played three-on-three against Parker, Butler, and Duncan, and the game ended in a draw.
• Dempsey asked Tang Tian to choose free agents, and Tang named Diamond and Carter as his first choices, with backup options for both.
• Tang Tian and Walker left the training facility together, and Tang later went to Walker’s room to retrieve his car keys.
• Tang Tian found Walker packing and holding the red jacket he had kept since the 2011 NBA Draft, and the two recalled their matching jackets and friendship.

Tang Tian and Walker reminisced about their college years and vowed to build a dynasty together with the Pelicans. As the training camp filled out, Dempsey reported that Dedmon had signed with New Orleans and that the Lakers were interested in Bryant.

• Tang Tian and Walker recalled their UConn days, discussed how they had shaped each other, and agreed to pursue a dynasty with the Pelicans.
• Irving, Thompson, and other players arrived at the Brothers of Hard Work Training Camp, where Thompson and Irving challenged Tang Tian.
• Tang Tian spoke with Drummond and Lamb about their situations, while Lamb worried about his future with the Hornets.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian that the Pelicans had signed Dedmon to a two-year, $12 million contract, while Carter declined, Joe Harris planned to join the Nets, and Nick Young planned to join the Warriors.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian that the Lakers were interested in Bryant.

Tang Tian pursued trades to strengthen the Pelicans, and the team acquired Jeremy Lamb from the Hornets. Lamb’s arrival reunited the UConn Trident of Tang Tian, Kemba Walker, and Lamb in New Orleans.

• Tang Tian rejected the Lakers’ offer of a future second-round pick for Thomas Bryant and proposed Josh Hart instead, but the Lakers demanded Malcolm Brogdon.
• After learning Charlotte was shopping Jeremy Lamb, Tang Tian told Dempsey to pursue a trade using the Jazz’s second-round pick and a Trade Exception.
• Dempsey completed a deal sending the Jazz second-round pick and a seven-million-dollar Trade Exception to the Hornets for Jeremy Lamb.
• Lamb celebrated joining Tang Tian and Walker, while Walker excitedly welcomed his former UConn teammate and Drummond asked if he could join them too.
• The league announced the trade, reuniting the UConn Trident in New Orleans.

The Pelicans finalized their roster and spent the Brothers of Hard Work training camp sharpening their chemistry and skills before the group went their separate ways. As Tang Tian and Olson traveled to Nigeria with their family, Tang received news that Wade had joined James’s Cavaliers, launching James’s Brotherhood Basketball 2.0.

• The Pelicans signed Diop and David West to fully guaranteed minimum contracts and settled on a fourteen-player roster with one spot open.
• The Brothers of Hard Work trained and played in the Drew League, where Walker improved his floater and chemistry with Davis, Davis refined his bank shot, and Dedmon developed a three-pointer.
• The training camp disbanded, with Walker and Butler looking for homes, Davis going to San Antonio to learn car repair from Duncan, and Tang Tian and Olson preparing a Nigeria trip with their children and the African Lion.
• Tang Tian received Woj’s message that Wade had signed a one-year, $8.4 million deal with the Cavaliers after failing to reach an extension agreement with the Heat.
• Wade joined James, George, Love, and Whiteside in Cleveland, beginning James’s Brotherhood Basketball 2.0.

Tang Tian and his family traveled to Nigeria, where they enjoyed a seafood feast and visited Bauchi National Zoo with their African Lion. There he met Joel Embiid and Siakam, and learned that Embiid planned to lead his team against the Pelicans in the new season.

• Tang Tian and his family arrived in Nigeria and ate a seafood feast on Victoria Island.
• Tang Tian took his family and the African Lion to Bauchi National Zoo, where guide Embiid recognized him as an NBA star.
• Tang Tian learned that Joel Embiid and Siakam were also visiting the park and ran into them there.
• Siakam told Tang Tian that Joel Embiid criticized the Pelicans' roster and planned to lead his team to a championship.
• Tang Tian welcomed Embiid's challenge and looked forward to the Pelicans facing determined opponents.

After Gentry left the Pelicans for the Suns, Tang Tian persuaded Steve Nash to join the team as Chief Assistant Coach. Training camp also revealed Siakam’s major improvement, and the chapter ended with the Pelicans announcing Nash’s hiring.

• Tang Tian returned to New Orleans, and the Pelicans opened training camp under Stevens’ strict demands.
• Siakam impressed the coaching staff with his improved ball handling, passing, defense, and three-point shooting, prompting Tang Tian to consider him for the Brothers of Hard Work Training Camp.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian and Stevens that Gentry was returning to the Suns, leaving the Pelicans searching for a new Chief Assistant Coach.
• Tang Tian proposed Nash for the role and traveled to Toronto to persuade him to join the coaching staff.
• Nash agreed to move to New Orleans, and the Pelicans announced him as their new Chief Assistant Coach the next day.

The Pelicans prepared for the new season by filling two roster spots with two-way contracts, signing Alex Caruso and Ding Yanyuhang after other targets declined. Tang Tian was startled to see Ding join the team, having expected him to remain outside the NBA.

• The league introduced two-way contracts, allowing eligible players to split time between an NBA team and its G-League affiliate.
• Tang Tian recommended Quinn Cook, Dillon Wallace, Alex Caruso, and CJ Williams to Dempsey, but Cook, Wallace, and Williams declined the Pelicans' offers.
• Caruso accepted a two-way contract with the Pelicans after going undrafted and spending the previous season in the G-League.
• Dempsey signed an overseas player for the second spot and brought both two-way players to training camp at the Erie BayHawks' Legacy Arena.
• Tang Tian recognized Caruso despite his balding appearance, then was shocked to learn that Dempsey had signed Ding Yanyuhang.

Tang Tian welcomed Ding Yanyuhang to the Pelicans and offered him a place to stay at his estate, where they could train together. With the team considering how to use its final roster spot, Tang Tian reviewed the free-agent list and spotted a familiar name.

• Dempsey signed Ding Yanyuhang to a two-way contract, and Tang Tian was glad to reunite with his former national team teammate.
• Tang Tian invited Ding Yanyuhang to dinner, heard why he had not stayed with the Mavericks, and took him to train at his home court.
• Tang Tian offered Ding Yanyuhang a guest room, and Ding accepted the offer to stay at the estate.
• Dempsey asked Tang Tian to review the free-agent market as the Pelicans considered how to fill their final roster spot.
• Tang Tian found a familiar name on the list of remaining free agents.

Tang Tian persuaded the Pelicans to sign Derrick Rose to a one-year, $2.4 million contract, giving the free agent a chance to recover and return to form. The Pelicans finalized their roster and prepared to host the Bucks in their first preseason game.

• Tang Tian learned Rose was hesitating over minimum-contract offers from Cleveland and Chicago, partly because of his competitiveness and Adidas contract.
• Tang Tian told Dempsey to use the Pelicans' remaining $2.4 million mid-level exception to offer Rose a deal that showed respect.
• Rose's team accepted, and the Pelicans announced a one-year, $2.4 million agreement that won praise from fans.
• The Pelicans filled their 15 guaranteed roster spots, planned to enter the season with that lineup, and began preparing for the preseason.
• The Pelicans' first preseason game was scheduled at home against the Bucks.

The Pelicans opened their pre-season against the Bucks with all four stars in the starting lineup, sending the sold-out New Orleans Arena into a frenzy. Walker and Butler capped the opening minutes with a fast-break alley-oop, leaving the Pelicans’ debut in full swing.

• The Pelicans’ sold-out home crowd welcomed the team’s four stars, while Gayle Benson prepared to discuss a broadcast deal with FOX Sports and planned to consult Tang Tian.
• Stevens started Walker, Tang Tian, Butler, Davis, and Dedmon against the Bucks’ Big Three, including Irving and Antetokounmpo.
• Walker opened the scoring by driving past Antetokounmpo and sinking a high floater.
• Irving attacked Walker but Davis blocked his shot, and Tang Tian grabbed the rebound and launched a long pass upcourt.
• Walker lobbed the ball off the backboard, and Butler caught it in midair and dunked with both hands.