2017 NBA Free Agency.
"The Decision, The Decision, The Decision, The Decision!"
A rookie on social media made waves with this post, referencing LeBron James' four major career decisions.
Even Han Sen only saw LeBron's latest move after this post popped up in his feed. Han paused, clearly surprised.
"I completely forgot about Anthony Davis!"
In 'history', Davis joined LeBron on the Lakers, following him. But now? LeBron was the one following Davis to New Orleans.
Han had to admit—LeBron's experience in team-building far surpassed his own.
But this raised a question: Weren't the Pelicans already running a twin-tower lineup? Adding LeBron into the frontcourt—wouldn't that just overcrowd the paint?
It wasn't just Han wondering this; social media was ablaze with the same question.
Luckily, the answer came quickly.
LeBron hadn't signed directly with the Pelicans. Instead, it was a sign-and-trade deal.
The Warriors first signed LeBron to a three-year, $100 million contract (with a player option in the third year), then traded him to New Orleans for DeMarcus Cousins.
Ah, the classic Bird Rights maneuver.
While fans' initial confusion was cleared up, new questions arose.
Trading Cousins made sense for the Pelicans. Despite their twin-tower experiment, they'd missed the playoffs entirely last season. Even after Cousins joined, their win rate remained mediocre.
As fans joked, Davis and Cousins were basically "co-captains of the Empty Stats Club".
So, seeking change was understandable.
But the Warriors' move was baffling.
Sure, Cousins still carried the 'best center in the league' label, boasting monstrous stats: 27 points, 11 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Yet, like Kevin Love before him, Cousins had never played a single playoff game.
Plus, his playing style didn't mesh well with Golden State's system. It felt eerily similar to when Shaquille O'Neal joined the Suns late in his career—awkward at best.
Still, after the trade, Warriors players flooded social media, welcoming Cousins with open arms.
Even Coach Kerr chimed in: "The Warriors just landed the best center of the Curry era."
The sentiment was clear: They couldn't wait to be rid of LeBron. Who replaced him didn't really matter.
Of course, they'd have preferred Davis, but would New Orleans have ever agreed to that?
With other options like Hayward and Griffin off the table, this was the Warriors' best move.
Besides, Cousins was on an expiring contract, giving them flexibility. If things didn't work out, they could pivot in next year's free agency.
And one particular 6'8" (2.03m) small forward still playing in Indiana might just be the perfect target.
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Meanwhile, the Pelicans wasted no time.
ESPN quickly reported that Davis personally greeted LeBron at the airport—a move many suspected had Nike's fingerprints all over it.
Naturally, social media erupted with jokes:
"The 'Son of America' who can't win meets the 'Chosen One' who can't get a ring. Perfect duo!"
The Pelicans then solidified their core, re-signing Jrue Holiday to a five-year, $131 million deal. Their new Big Three: Holiday, LeBron, and Davis.
Next, they traded Omer Asik to the rebuilding Bulls for Nikola Mirotic.
With LeBron and Holiday not being elite three-point shooters—and Davis hovering below 30%—spacing was critical. They already had E'Twaun Moore as a perimeter threat, but Mirotic added much-needed stretch ability from the frontcourt.
Now, they just needed a rugged center to start alongside Davis to preserve his energy, plus some bench depth. Suddenly, they looked like serious contenders in the West.
With LeBron's saga finally settled, both the Eastern and Western Conference dramas had reached their conclusions.
Or so it seemed.
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Then came another bombshell: The Rockets officially waived Chris Bosh, who had been battling blood clots for the past two seasons.
The news was both sudden and expected.
Back in June, an NBA-Players Association medical report had labeled Bosh's condition as "career-ending".
That report unofficially signaled his retirement.
But Bosh wasn't ready to give up. He'd spent the past month fighting for a comeback.
Ultimately, after exhausting every option, the medical team ruled him unfit for professional basketball.
"Patients with blood clots must avoid intense physical activity. The risk of vascular bleeding and pulmonary embolism is high—potentially fatal, even faster than a heart attack."
A grim, clinical verdict—like a death sentence for his career.
If Bosh had pushed on, he likely would've died on the court.
Eventually, he had to accept reality.
Under the new CBA, buyouts for career-ending conditions don't count against the salary cap, though insurance still covers the remaining contract.
After negotiations, Bosh's $50 million balance would be paid in 120 installments—$433,000 every two weeks.
Of course, the Rockets weren't being altruistic. They needed that cap space to finalize a deal with Eric Gordon.
Players across the league sent their best wishes.
Han Sen, once a rival, tweeted: "When your jersey is retired, I hope we hear the Dragon's Roar one more time."
Say what you will about the NBA, but they know how to handle business.
Bosh's paychecks would continue through 2022.
Talk about earning while resting.
Bosh's retirement was just a subplot in the free agency frenzy.
As the moratorium lifted, teams began officially signing their verbal agreements, setting the stage for the next NBA season.
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Han Sen kept a close eye on the Cavaliers' offseason moves.
The team's biggest move of the summer was re-signing Robert Covington to a four-year, $62 million contract. While that seemed hefty at first glance, in today's NBA—where max contracts exceed $30 million—elite 3-and-D players come with a premium price tag.
With Covington secured, the Cavaliers' starting lineup featured multiple players earning $15 million or more annually, except for Nikola Jokic, who was still on his rookie deal. Add Dwyane Wade's $20 million contract off the bench, and if Han hadn't stayed on his current deal, they'd have been deep into luxury tax territory.
Despite the financial strain, Dan Gilbert showed no hesitation in opening his wallet, fully committed to building a dynasty in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers re-signed Kyle Korver with a three-year, $22 million deal, keeping their most reliable sharpshooter from last season.
David Griffin followed up with a smart veteran minimum signing, bringing in Derrick Rose on an expiring deal. Not stopping there, the Cavs also signed David West on a veteran's minimum contract.
Everyone has their pride, but just as in life—where justice doesn't always triumph and hard work doesn't guarantee rewards—choices often come down to legacy versus pride. Paul Pierce chose to "die" with his pride intact, while David West ultimately compromised.
West's situation was different from Pierce's—Pierce already had a championship ring, but West didn't. He had once left over $10 million on the table, chasing that elusive title to complete his career. Seeing Deron Williams retire with satisfaction pushed him to swallow his pride.
While some players stayed and others joined, departures were inevitable.
P.J. Tucker signed a four-year, $40 million deal with the Rockets. Norman Powell received a four-year, $42 million offer from the Raptors, which the Cavaliers declined to match.
Han reviewed the updated Cavaliers roster:
- Point Guards: Han Sen, Derrick Rose, Jamal Murray
- Shooting Guards: J.R. Smith, Dwyane Wade
- Small Forwards: Robert Covington, Kyle Korver, Kyle Kuzma
- Power Forwards: Tristan Thompson, David West, Dante Cunningham
- Centers: Nikola Jokic, Nene, Dewayne Dedmon
Compared to last season, the roster saw slight improvements. The front office had clearly done everything possible. The rest would depend on player form and how much Jokic could develop in the new season.
The NBA also introduced two-way contracts this year. The Cavaliers released Jones Jr., re-signing him to a two-year two-way deal with the first year fully guaranteed. The second two-way spot went to Alex Caruso, who Han had recommended to Griffin the previous season. Without an available roster spot then, Caruso had spent most of the year in the G-League. Once the Cavaliers made the offer, he signed immediately.
For fringe NBA players, joining a back-to-back championship team like the Cavaliers was highly attractive. The spotlight on a title-contending squad could turn a few good games into a guaranteed contract elsewhere—or even, like Powell, a shot at cracking the rotation and earning millions.
While keeping tabs on his own team, Han also noticed another Eastern Conference squad quietly making big moves: the Milwaukee Bucks.
Post-free agency moratorium, the Bucks completed a stealthy trade with the Magic, sending Jabari Parker and John Henson for Brook Lopez. Lopez had consistently put up 20+10 numbers with the Magic, but the team remained near the bottom of the East. The Magic front office, realizing Lopez wasn't the answer, opted for Parker's potential after his impressive scoring last season.
With Lopez in the fold, the Bucks' roster solidified—Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo anchoring the frontcourt, Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon on the wings, leaving only the need for a quality point guard.
The Eastern Conference, after years of decline, was shaping up to be fiercely competitive:
- Tier 1: Cavaliers, Celtics
- Tier 2: 76ers, Raptors, Bucks
- Dark Horses: Pacers, Wizards, Pistons
Even for the reigning champions, the path out of the East wouldn't be easy.
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As free agency wound down, the Warriors signed veteran C.J. Miles to a three-year, $25 million deal. Stephen Curry's statement, "No one gets left behind," influenced management to retain key veterans—Andre Iguodala (three years, $48 million) and Shaun Livingston (three years, $24 million)—adding to the team's financial burden.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans used their mid-level exception to sign Nick Young, bolstering their perimeter shooting.
By late July, Han held his annual personal training camp. Not long after it began, an unexpected visitor showed up—Tony Allen, looking rugged and weary.
Han was surprised. Allen had been a starter for the Pacers last season and even made the All-Defensive Second Team. How could no team want him?
Turns out, even Allen himself couldn't believe it.
After sitting down and analyzing the situation, Han realized Allen had been left behind by the times. In today's NBA, a guard without a three-point shot was a liability. At 35, Allen's age and declining physicality made matters worse.
A defensive specialist with no offensive upside, minimal developmental potential, and questionable longevity? Most teams would pass.
"If this is too much trouble—" Allen hesitated.
"No, your timing is perfect," Han replied, though he wasn't committing just yet. He saw an opportunity to give Allen a chance.
Han invited Allen to return the next day, bringing David Griffin to observe.
A few days later, the Cavaliers announced the signing of Tony Allen on a veteran's minimum deal, completing their offseason moves.
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The iconic set of "Inside the NBA" crackled with post-free agency buzz, the crew eager to dissect the league's shifting landscape. Ernie Johnson leaned forward, his signature grin setting the tone.
"Welcome back, folks. Free agency didn't disappoint—LeBron heading to New Orleans, Kyrie landing in Boston, Han Sen and the Cavs stacking up, and Chris Bosh's emotional retirement. Shaq, what caught your eye the most?"
Shaquille O'Neal chuckled, not missing a beat. "Easy. LeBron's move. Man's like a basketball nomad—new city, new squad, same story. But New Orleans? That ain't exactly the big stage. Feels like he's running out of maps."
Kenny Smith smirked. "Or maybe it's a strategy. Pairing up with AD and Jrue Holiday isn't exactly a bad gig. But for me? It's Kyrie in Boston. That duo with KD—that's scary. Celtics just vaulted into serious contention."
Charles Barkley leaned back, laughing. "Hold up. Kyrie? The man wanted his own team, now he's KD's sidekick. Boston looks good on paper, but chemistry ain't written in ink. And Han Sen? That guy's the real problem in the East. Cavs look like they're built for another run. Han's leadership is different."
Shaq nodded. "And don't sleep on the Tony Allen signing. Old-school grit. That's the kind of dog you need when the game slows down in the playoffs."
Charles rolled his eyes. "Grit? Come on, Shaq. This ain't 2004. It's about spacing and shooting now. But if anyone can squeeze the last bit of juice outta that style, it's Han. He's like a damn basketball wizard—makes things work that shouldn't."
Ernie chuckled, steering them back. "So, who's the team to beat in the East?"
Charles didn't hesitate. "Cavs. Until someone knocks them off."
Kenny shrugged. "Yeah, but don't sleep on the Bucks. Giannis is coming for that crown."
Shaq leaned forward, grinning. "Nah, it's still the Cavs. As long as Han's breathing, they're the team to beat."
Ernie wrapped it up with a knowing smile. "There you have it. The East is heating up, the Cavs are the hunted, and the season ahead? It's gonna be a wild ride. Stay tuned, folks."