One Thousand Two Hundred and Two: The Transfer Drama Begins (4/5)

Robert Pera and Link sit in the stands at FedEx Arena.

Link is familiar with this arena. He has been working here for nearly ten years.

Although FedEx Arena changed the floor pattern last season, Link still doesn't feel unfamiliar.

He has experienced failure here as well as glory.

Looking at the corner, he will be reminded of Carter's self-redemption three-pointer.

Looking at the center circle, he will be reminded of Gasol's long hair.

Link knows this arena very well.

But sitting in the stands, this experience is indeed a bit strange.

This seems to be Link's first time observing the appearance of this arena from the stands.

"Back then, I watched your game here. I still remember it was New Year's Day in 2012, when the Grizzlies played against the Bulls at home. Facing the Bulls' defense, you scored a 40-point triple-double! If I remember correctly, That was the first 40-point triple-double of your career. God, I was shocked at the time. I kept asking myself, is this guy really an undrafted guy?"

Pera, who was sitting next to Link, stared at the empty stadium and gestured with her hands as she spoke.

"After that, I often came to FedEx Arena to watch games. Every time, your performance would surprise me. At that time, most of the media and fans didn't like you. But I felt that that kid might be able to Play a key role!”

"Then, I bought the Memphis Grizzlies. I didn't even consider OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay. From the beginning, you were the core of my team building! At that time, everyone said I was crazy. What happened?"

Pera said, turning to look at the six championship banners on the FedEx Arena!

Except for the home courts of the Lakers and Celtics, no other arena in the entire league has more championship banners than FedEx Arena.

For Pera, this is the thing he is most proud of!

Chicago United Center? Sorry, the number of championship banners there is now only tied with the Grizzlies.

Link listened silently, didn't speak, and just smiled.

Unexpectedly, he and a diamond king like Pera would have such wonderful memories together.

Scenes from the past ten years all appeared in Link's mind.

"So have you really made your decision?" Pella changed the topic and her eyes fell on Link.

It was precisely because he couldn't accept the fact that Link would retire after playing next season, so he and Link went to the empty arena to chat alone for a while.

"I've thought about it, Robert. I'm also very reluctant to say goodbye, but sooner or later I have to say goodbye."

"What a hell this summer is. Zach is leaving, Tony is leaving. Now, even you have to leave." After receiving a positive reply from Link, Pella covered her forehead.

A few days ago, the locker room duo of Randolph and Tony Allen decided to retire as a team.

Both are almost 40 years old and have won enough championships. From their point of view, staying with the Grizzlies wouldn't do much good. Maybe other teams, but I really don’t want to go.

The contract happened to have expired, so the two simply decided to retire at the peak of the Grizzlies' second dynasty, which could be regarded as a perfect end to their careers.

Pera has promised to retire the jerseys of Randolph and Tony Allen, and fans have also sent blessings. It can be said that everyone is happy.

I just didn't expect that not long after Randolph and Tony Allen announced their retirement, Link would come.

"Hahaha, I have to play for another year. It's not time to leave yet, Pella." Link patted the boss on the shoulder to tell him not to be so sad.

Pella also knew that once Link decided something, even ten cows couldn't get him back.

Besides, Pera doesn't have the right to hinder other people's right to choose their life.

Link wants another life, which is Link's freedom.

Although she was very reluctant to give up, Pera slowly accepted the fact.

Yes, leaving a legend behind at the top is also a good ending.

If Michael Jordan had retired at the top, he might have been even more "godly".

But Jordan's second comeback let everyone know that the magical J is also a mortal.

Link's choice is actually quite good.

"You said you would retire if you win the championship next season. What if you can't win the championship?" Pera held it in for a long time and finally asked the question.

Link stood up from the stands, with his hands on his hips, looking down at the place where he had created countless honors.

"We will definitely win the championship, Robert, there are no ifs."

Link's tone was firm, and he would not allow any mistakes to occur during the last turn.

Half an hour later, Robert Pera and Link returned to the office.

The two parties reached an agreement and signed a one-year maximum salary contract worth US$54.3 million!

Nearly 55 million a year, which is absolutely an astronomical figure.

Soon, the world will know that Link is only re-signing with the Grizzlies for one more year. By then, all kinds of suspicions will surely emerge.

But Link doesn't plan to announce his retirement now after playing for another year.

Jordan suddenly announced his retirement twice after winning the championship twice. Link didn't want to do it as suddenly as Jordan did, but he wouldn't announce it so early.

First, several Grizzlies players will receive big contract offers from other teams this summer. The Grizzlies are limited by salary space and cannot offer a price that matches it.

So this summer, someone is definitely going to leave.

But if Link announces his retirement now, most of them would rather take a pay cut and play with Link for another year.

This is not something Link is boasting about, he does have such charisma. In the Grizzlies, he is the person that all his teammates respect and admire the most.

Of course Link hopes that his old friends can accompany him through the final season, but that is too selfish.

The opportunity to sign a big contract doesn't come every year. It would be really inappropriate for Link to make fun of other people's futures just because he wants everyone to play with him through the final year.

Secondly, the holiday has just begun and the players are still relaxing their tired bodies.

Announcing it now would cast a pall over their holiday.

Therefore, Link felt that announcing his retirement the day before the start of the regular season was a good idea.

He certainly knows that if he uses his influence to force the Grizzlies' dynasty lineup for another year, he will have a better chance of achieving his goal.

But again, he cannot delay others for his own purposes.

For example, Dinwiddie is now a hot star defender in the league. Last summer, the Nets offered him an annual salary of 34 million for three years.

But Dinwiddie chose to cut his salary and renew his contract with the Grizzlies for one year in order to achieve the goal of three consecutive championships.

This year, Dinwiddie’s value will rise. As far as Link knows, the Nets have raised the price to 42 million over three years.

They are also chasing Irving and Durant, hoping to form a Big Three and make a turnaround at once.

And this price is something the Grizzlies cannot afford.

The Grizzlies still have two unfulfilled large contracts in Gasol and Conley, and last summer they renewed Jokic at a price close to the maximum salary. Now, the contract with Link has been renewed.

These four people basically take up all the Grizzlies' salary space.

The Grizzlies can only sign some players with mid-level exceptions and basic salaries. Dinwiddie will definitely not be able to pay a price that matches his strength.

If Dinwiddie is allowed to take a salary cut to stay, Link himself will feel bad about it.

The same situation exists for Harrell, Richardson and others. The original group of young people have now become the backbone of the league and are favored by other teams.

This is why people are not optimistic about the Grizzlies' prospects of winning the championship next season.

Because once again, the Grizzlies' lineup will be dismantled and reorganized, just like they did after their first three-peat.

This is the shackles that NBA rules put on the Grizzlies.

This reincarnation is something that no team can resist.

It's a miracle that the Grizzlies were able to recover after a year.

But Link is not afraid of challenges. If he can get these four consecutive championships easily, what's the point?

That night, the news that Link had only renewed his contract with the Grizzlies for one year spread throughout the world.

And this summer's transfer drama has officially begun.

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