Chapter 211: The Shocking Kneel.
Wallace acted quickly. After his conversation with Han Sen, he arranged a tryout on the same day and finalized a one-year veteran's minimum contract with Delonte West.
Though labeled a one-year deal, since the season was already in its latter half, the actual salary amounted to only about $400,000—a minimal cost.
Wallace's willingness to sign West largely stemmed from his trust in Han Sen.
Han had a proven knack for managing players with issues, and West had originally come to Memphis alongside Han.
Han met with West on the day he signed the contract.
If West had looked a bit weary when he first arrived in Memphis months ago, now his appearance was noticeably more haggard.
Han could understand why it only took a few years after leaving the NBA for West to end up homeless.
For someone grappling with mental health challenges, losing a sense of purpose was like a boat adrift in an endless sea—there was no direction, no motivation to keep going.
In this sense, the Grizzlies signing West was akin to throwing him a lifeline.
When West saw Han, a faint light sparked in his otherwise lifeless eyes.
To West, Han was like one of the few visible islands in that vast, empty ocean.