Twenty-One: "High Value" Contracts

It was definitely not a pleasant day for Stephenson.

In the NBA, he found himself not as strong. After all, the NBA is the highest level basketball league in the world, and the most successful basketball players in the world play there.

But Stephenson never imagined that he would lose so thoroughly in the G League.

At the end of the game, Lance Stephenson looked up at the big screen. 12 to 26, he defeated Link in scoring!

Link's scoring looked unremarkable throughout the game. Except for a dunk after a cut, Link's scoring methods are very ordinary, mostly shooting.

However, he was stunned to score a game-high 26 points in this unpretentious way. The most terrifying thing is that Stephenson actually scored only 12 points in an NBDL game.

Link's defense against Stephenson today can be said to be impeccable. Indeed, his athletic ability and physical quality are very ordinary, but he can keep his position.

The anxious Stephenson often forced shots without getting rid of the defense, so it is no wonder that his scoring efficiency can be high.

So at the end of the game, he walked towards his opponent, towards the Chinese No. 5 who was talked about by Paul George every day.

"This time you won, but next time we meet, I won't let you pass easily. Damn, don't think it's over!"

Stephenson's unyielding expression made Link shake his head. This guy is clearly the temper of a child.

"I'm afraid we won't meet again, Lance, you should be returning to the Pacers soon, right?"

"Yes, when we meet again next time, we will definitely not play in the G League. When I get to the NBA arena, I will give back everything that happened today."

After speaking in a bad mood, Stephenson turned and left. Link laughed helplessly, NBA... This still sounds like a distant dream.

Seeing Stephenson leave, Link also prepares to return to the locker room. But this time, when he was about to walk back to the player tunnel, he received several "uninvited guests".

"Link, I'm a reporter for the Indiana Post, may I have an interview with us?"

A female reporter put the microphone to Link's mouth, causing Link to swallow.

The female reporter smiled with satisfaction, she was very confident in her career line. But in fact, Link didn't swallow because of that touch of color. He was nervous because this was the first time he was interviewed by a reporter in his life!

"An interview? Of course, of course." Link nodded ignorantly, and only after that did he realize how "beautiful" the female reporter was.

"Today, you led the blue team to a two-game winning streak. After scoring a triple-double in the last game, you scored a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds today. You think, your performance like this How long can it last?"

The reporter's question was simple, not tricky. This is a G League game after all, and there is too little heat for hype. Therefore, there are usually no reporters to ask some too tricky questions.

"Of course I hope I can keep it up, so I will continue to work hard." Link replied very maturely. Although he had never been a big star, he would still say polite words.

"So do you think, based on your recent performance, that you can receive an offer for a ten-day NBA contract? I have heard that you have attracted the attention of many NBA teams. It is said that the Houston Rockets are actively Recruit you, what do you think about this?"

"Well, I'm very happy to have NBA teams pay attention to me, especially the Houston Rockets..." Link said halfway to the camera,

But suddenly it felt wrong. His sweat began to drip down, not tired, but frightened!

"Miss, I'm sorry, you just said...The Houston Rockets are actively recruiting me?" Link asked the reporter a question in return, and he found that his mind was a little bit out of whack.

※※※

As soon as Link returned to the locker room, he immediately took out his mobile phone from the cabinet. Sure enough, there were dozens of missed calls above. And the calls were all from one person - Carl Jones.

Link hurriedly called back, but before he could press the dial button, Carl Jones called again.

"Hey, why is it taking so long? Isn't the game over already!?"

As soon as the phone was picked up, Link heard Carl Jones' anxious voice.

"I just went to be interviewed by a reporter, what's the matter, Carl, do you have any news to tell me!" Link's heart was pounding, he dared to swear that the last time he was so nervous was when he was checking his college entrance examination results.

After all, these were the only two things that could change Link's fate so far.

"How do you know I have good news for you? You're signed, Link! NBA, you're going to the NBA. I got a call from Rockets GM Daryl Morey earlier and he wanted to give you A ten-day short contract! Here's your chance, Link, here's your chance!"

"Ong!"

Hearing the manager's words, Link's head suddenly went blank, it felt as if he had just passed through the first day.

Link looked around, his teammates were still there, and he was still wearing the blue team's away jersey. He didn't dream or time travel, this time it's true, he's going to the NBA!

"When are we going to sign the contract?" After a long time, Link had calmed down before he spoke.

"Tomorrow, as soon as you come back from Fort Winn, I will arrange for you to meet with the Rockets! The Rockets have already told me the contract amount. According to NBA rules, the maximum amount you can get this year is 52,000. Dollars. That's a very lucrative offer, Link!"

Hearing the number 52,000, Link felt dizzy again.

Indeed, even a minimum salary player in the NBA can sign a few hundred thousand. The figure of 52,000 seems to be insignificant at all.

But in the G-League, there are only three tranches of contracts.

Grade A can get an annual salary of $25,000, and Grade B can get 19,000. A fresh graduate like Link can only get a C-level contract in the G League, with an annual salary of only $13,000.

If it wasn't for being single + not having foster parents for the time being + eating and drinking at Upshaw's house often, Link really wouldn't be able to survive by playing basketball.

But now, he can get $52,000 in just 10 days with the Rockets! With only about three games to play, you can get the salary that you have earned in the past four or five years!

This is why many G League players are willing to sign ten-day short contracts. As long as they can sign a ten-day short contract, whether they stay or not in the end, they can earn at least two years' salary!

"Enjoy the victory, Link. Not only the $52,000, but when you enter the Houston Rockets, your business value will definitely increase by leaps and bounds. Because of Yao Ming, the Rockets may be the most welcoming team of Chinese-American players in the entire NBA. Now, you'll be very popular there. Let's not talk about it, there have been several calls for business endorsements. We're going to make a fortune Link, hahahahaha!"

Until Carl Jones hung up the phone, Link still stood there dumbfounded.

The NBA, the Houston Rockets, making $50,000 in ten days… it all seemed like a dream, and all of a sudden it was all there.

His whole body was trembling uncontrollably, and the life of the bottom players was finally about to say goodbye.

※※※

"Houston Rockets? Stupid! He didn't get a chance in the Rockets. Morey just needs the Chinese market."

After learning that the Rockets were close to signing Link, a middle-aged man with gray hair shook his head at the phone screen.

"Even if he doesn't get a chance on the Rockets, that's none of your business. That Chinese guy is just a flash in the pan. Every year, there are a few short-lived players like this in the G League. Instead of caring about this Chinese guy, you Might as well pay more attention to the Greek I mentioned to you."

In front of the middle-aged man, another slightly younger man said disapprovingly.

"You mean Giannis Antetokounmpo? The guy who's still in the youth team of the Spanish Serie B club? He's worth noting, but he's still too far from the NBA. But that Chinese.... ..Unfortunately, he should have found a more professional manager, not a newcomer like Carl Jones that I have never heard of."

"Okay, Jeff, it's not easy for a manager to sign a potential player. Maybe one day your Chinese genius will fire his manager and choose you? What? Think it's impossible? That's right, So forget about the Chinese. We've got a lot more to do, Jeff."

Hearing what the assistant said, Jeff Austin gave a wry smile and turned off Link's news.

But he still felt regretful in his heart. If he could be that Chinese manager, his career should be smoother.

A Chinese player with both strength and commercial value fell into the hands of Karl Jones. It was a waste.