Chapter 750: Chapter 750

Ultimately, Bosh was forced to accept reality.

According to the new labor agreement, in such situations where a player and team buy out a contract, the remaining salary won’t count against the salary cap, but the team and insurance company still need to pay the remaining contract salary to the player.

After negotiations, Bosh’s remaining more than 50 million in salary will be paid out to him in 120 installments, with 433,000 US Dollars paid every half month.

The Rockets did this not out of benevolence, but because they were eager to free up space. They had already reached a verbal agreement with Eric Gordon, and that agreement required the salary cap space created by Bosh’s retirement.

Many players sent their best wishes to Bosh.

As a former opponent, Hansen also tweeted his blessings on social media: "When your jersey is retired, I hope to see your Dragon King roar once more."

But I must say, the NBA really excels in its professionalism.

According to their calculations, Bosh’s remaining salary would continue to be paid until the end of 2022.

Truly, earning money while lying down.

Bosh’s retirement was just a small episode in the free market.

As the freeze period ended, the verbal agreements reached by various teams gradually turned into official signings.

Hansen also paid attention to the activities of his own team.

The biggest move the Cavaliers made this summer was re-signing Covington with a 4-year, 62 million contract.

This may seem expensive, but in reality, it’s the market price. In an era where maximum salaries have soared to 30 million, a top-notch 3D player is worth this price.

As a result, among the Cavaliers’ starting five, except for Jokic who is still on a rookie contract, all the others earn more than 15 million each. Adding Wade’s 20 million from the bench, if Hansen hadn’t signed a new contract to stay, they would have already exceeded the luxury tax.

The remaining space available for the Cavaliers to strengthen is very limited.

However, Gilbert showed his generosity, opening his wallet to fully support the team’s dynasty, not caring about the luxury tax issues.

The Cavaliers re-signed Korver with a 3-year, 22 million contract, retaining the most accurate shooter from last season.

Soon after, Griffin also stepped up by signing Derrick Ross, whose contract had expired, with a 2.9 million veteran minimum salary.

Last year’s similar events also repeated, with David West joining the Cavaliers on a minimum salary contract.

Everyone has their own commitments, but just like in the real world, justice doesn’t always triumph over evil, and hard work doesn’t always pay off. When the final result comes, you must choose whether to die with your pride or compromise to avoid regrets.

Pierce died with his pride, while West finally chose to compromise.

Because unlike Pierce, he didn’t have a guaranteed championship, while Pierce did.

He sacrificed over 10 million back then just to get a championship before retiring, to have no regrets in life.

Especially after seeing Deron retire with a contented face, he chose to compromise with himself.

Where some stayed, others joined, and naturally, some also left.

Tucker chose to join the Rockets with a 4-year, 40 million contract.

Powell received a 4-year, 42 million contract offer from the Raptors, and the Cavaliers ultimately chose not to match it.

Hansen took a look at the current Cavaliers roster.

Point Guard: Hansen, Ross, Murray

Shooting Guard: JR, Wade

Small Forward: Covington, Korver, Kuzma

Power Forward: TT, West, Conningham

Center: Jokic, Nene, Dedmon

This lineup has slightly improved in strength compared to last season; the Cavaliers’ management has given their best effort.

The rest depends on the players’ form and how much Jokic can improve in the new season.

Additionally, this year the league introduced two-way contracts, with each team allowed two slots.

The Cavaliers thus waived Little Jones and signed him to a two-year two-way contract, in which the first year is fully guaranteed.

They gave the other two-way slot to Alex Caruso.

Caruso was one of the players on Hansen’s list given to Griffin last season, but the Cavaliers had no slots left to sign him.

In fact, last season Caruso didn’t get to play in the NBA; he spent most of his time in the development league. The Cavaliers gave him a two-way contract, and he came over immediately.

As a two-time champion team, the Cavaliers’ two-way contracts are enticing to these fringe NBA players.

After all, a championship team shines naturally; if you play a few good games, you’ll likely get a guaranteed contract from other teams later on.

Possibly, like Powell, seizing the opportunity to break into the rotation, a million-dollar salary is not a dream.

While keeping an eye on his own team, Hansen also noticed another team in the East quietly making a fortune.

After the free-market freeze period ended, the Bucks quietly completed a trade with the Magic Team, sending Jabari Parker and John Hanson in exchange for Magic Team’s Big Lopez.

Big Lopez had consistently contributed 20+10 numbers while playing for the Magic Team over the years, but the Magic Team had also languished at the bottom of the East for many years.

The Magic management clearly understood he wasn’t the right fit, so securing Parker, who has more potential and was already capable of scoring 20+ last season, was undoubtedly a better choice for them.

After obtaining Big Lopez, the Bucks’ lineup immediately solidified, with Big Lopez and Antetokounmpo in the frontcourt, Middleton and Brogdon on the wings, and only a top-level point guard was missing.

Looking at it this way, after a few years of decline, next season the East will usher in an unprecedentedly competitive season.

The Cavaliers and Celtics are in the first tier, while the 76ers, Raptors, and Bucks make up the second tier; in addition, the Pacers, Wizards, and Pistons are all competitive teams.

The Cavaliers will find it challenging to break out of the East this year.

The free market continues, and all teams are gradually wrapping up their strengthening efforts.

Among the notable teams, the Warriors signed veteran CJ Miles to a 3-year, 25 million contract.

In addition, Curry’s statement "Not a single one less" indirectly compelled management to retain former meritorious players, such as re-signing Iguodala with a 3-year, 48 million contract, and Livingston with a 3-year, 24 million contract, putting significant salary pressure on the team with such merit basketball.

Another team worth noting, the Pelicans, used their full mid-level exception to sign Nick Young, continuing to strengthen their outside shooting ability.

By late July, Hansen, as in previous years, held his personal training camp.

Shortly after the camp started, an unexpected guest arrived. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽

Seeing Tony Allen with a slightly scruffy appearance, Hansen was quite surprised.

It seemed that Allen hadn’t had a good summer.

After communicating, Hansen found out that Allen hoped he could help him find a job.

Now Hansen was even more surprised, knowing that in the last season, Allen had still been a starter for the Pacers.

He was even selected for the league’s All-Defensive Second Team at the awards ceremony.

And yet, no one wanted him?

Even Allen himself couldn’t believe it.

But reality is what it is.

Hansen invited him to sit down and, after a careful analysis, suddenly realized that Allen had been left behind by the times.

In the small-ball era, a guard without a three-point shot is a huge offensive liability for a team.

Moreover, Allen was getting older; he was already 35 this year. For most players, 35 is a turning point where a decline in form is a normal physiological occurrence.

A defensive specialist with no offensive skills, no development value, and an unpredictable form definitely made most teams hesitate.

"If you’re having difficulty..." It was clear Allen made a tough decision to approach Hansen.

"No, you’re just in time." Hansen said he was just in time, not by agreeing directly, but because he knew the challenges the Cavaliers would face in the new season. He said "just in time" because he was ready to give Allen a chance.

Just right for his training camp, to see how much fuel Allen had left in his tank.

He asked Allen to come back the next day, and then he also called Griffin to the training center on the following day.

A few days later, the Cavaliers announced they had signed Tony Allen to a minimum salary contract, completing their final signing for the new season.