Thirty-Six: Leave a Phone Call

"Article 1, any commercial activities or endorsements will only be implemented after your consent. I can only advise."

"Second, before you sign a guaranteed contract, I won't charge a penny for the contract, and I won't take you to any time-wasting business activities."

"Third, make staying in the NBA your number one goal. I'll do my best to find an NBA team for you, and it's the kind of team that has the opportunity to sign a guaranteed contract."

In a cafe, Jeff Austin was explaining the terms of the contract to Link one by one. Although I don't want to admit it, the fact is that almost all the terms in the contract are in Link's favor.

This three-year manager contract is much more generous than the one Carl Jones had when he fooled Link. The remuneration that Jeff Austin asked for was not even more than that of Carl Jones. After Link signed a guaranteed contract, Jeff Austin only took a 3% cut. For commercial activities and commercial endorsements, he only takes 15%.

Compared with Carl Jones' 5% and 20%, these two points are quite conscientious. But don't underestimate the difference. In the professional basketball world, where it ranges from millions to tens of millions, the percentage of the rake is also very scary.

"So," Link picked up the contract and looked at it carefully, "I don't have any reason to reject you."

"Of course, unless you get a better-known or better manager. But as far as I know, other people haven't seen the potential in you right now. They think you can't play in the NBA for three years at most, and you're going to pack up. go home."

"Oh?" This is the first time Link has heard such news. "Then why do you think I can survive in the NBA for more than 3 years?"

"First, you keep a low profile and work hard. Second, you are focused enough. Third, your potential doesn't match your age. People think that after four years in college, you have no potential to be tapped. But I think, You just lack quality resources and environment. Fresno University is just an NCAA Division II team, and the blue team is just an unremarkable team in the G League. And once you have the best training environment and resources , I believe you can survive in the NBA forever."

After hearing what Jeff Austin said, Link really admired it. As we all know, it is impossible for Grant Hill to be unemployed in the NBA. He has been playing in the NBA until he is 40 years old before retiring himself. But Link is not Hill, and others may not be able to see the remaining potential in him.

But Jeff. Austin is different, he likes to bet on these malleable players. For example, Marc Gasol, who was not as fat as a professional athlete, or Antetokounmpo, who is still hanging out with the youth team of the Greek Second Division.

Link didn't ask any more questions. He picked up the pen and signed the contract handed to him by a manager for the second time.

I hope this time, the ending will not be as fucked as last time.

※※※

There is a very special part of the blue team's training this afternoon - the fan visit period.

This link is actually modeled on the NBA's media opening hours, that is, there is a period of time during training, where fans can come in to visit and interact with the players. Of course, all of this comes with a ticket. For just $50, fans can get up close and personal with the pros.

Don't think this kind of thing is exaggerated. As a G League team without the support of an NBA team, the blue team must do everything possible to accumulate wealth. Many teams have this way of making money during the open hours of fans, not the blue team.

Although this is also a business activity in essence, Link is not disgusted by it. Because these fans who are willing to pay to watch the players practice, really love the blue team players. In their eyes,

Players are heroes, not clowns.

Link was undoubtedly the most popular person this afternoon, with the most fans asking for his autograph and photo. After all, this kid has not only played in the NBA, but has just broken the G League's single-game individual scoring record.

Although in Oklahoma, few people watch blue team games. But even so, Link felt the enthusiasm of the fans.

At the end of the opening period, Link signed a little boy. The little boy's father believes that Link will be famous in the NBA one day. Therefore, he instructed his son to keep Link's signature.

After signing, I thought that today's fan interaction was over. As everyone knows, there is another person who handed a piece of Upshaw's No. 0 jersey to Link.

"Sign my name for me."

Hearing the voice of a girl, Link raised his head in surprise. It's okay not to look up, but Link was even more surprised when he raised his head.

The female fan standing in front of him, Link had met her before. To be precise, before crossing over, Link saw her on 2KTV every time he played NBA2K games.

That's right, the person who asked Link for an autograph at this time was Rachel DeMita.

"Rachel? I didn't expect you to come." Link smiled. After all, the last time they met, they didn't leave their contact information, and they also had their own business to do. Link thought that he and Rachel would never see each other again before they became famous.

Unexpectedly, he could meet this energetic girl in the place where he trains every day.

"Come for you, you did a great job last game, Link. Just after being abandoned by the Rockets, they scored 52 points on their subordinate team. I have to say, you surprised me." Rachel smiled. It's very sweet, I feel that she can virtually shorten the distance between people.

"Stand up from where you fell, hehe. How about you? How are you doing recently?" Link chatted with Rachel while signing.

"It's still the same as always, boring. By the way, do you have a chance to enter the NBA again? You actually played well in the three games with the Rockets. It would be a pity if you were shut out of the NBA like this. already."

Looking at Rachel staring at him with wide eyes, Link remembered Jeff Austin's words. He said that he might not have to go to Texas with the team tomorrow to play away games. This means that by tomorrow night, Jeff Austin will be able to find Link's ownership in the NBA.

Link is still very confident in a manager of Jeff Austin's level, so he nodded confidently, "I think I will return to the NBA, but the next stop is definitely not Houston. What? What about you? Interested in the fate of a G League player?"

"I..." Rachel opened her mouth, but hesitated, "It's nothing, I just want to know. Hey, big star, or leave your phone number on the jersey."

"Ah!?" Link was taken aback, considering that before he crossed over, this was the first time in his "two lifetimes" that a girl had asked for a phone number.

"That way, when you enter the NBA, I can personally congratulate you."

"Oh..." Link wrote down the number silently, and friends left a phone call with each other, as if it was nothing.

"Ma'am, the activity time is over, I'm afraid you have to come again next time."

As soon as Link wrote the number, the stadium security came to urge Rachel to leave.

After Rachel walked out of the training hall, the rest of the blue team came close to Link in a snarky manner.

"How are they like children? Isn't Link more popular today? Look how jealous they are." Watching Link being "repaired" by his teammates on the court, the assistant coach of the blue team shook his head.

"It's not a question of being unpopular, man. Link is the only one of them who has a female fan, hahahaha." Conor burst out laughing, and that kid is really getting more and more star-like. .

※※※

After Jeff Austin signed with Link, he immediately set about getting Link into the NBA.

In fact, before signing Link, he already had several goals for his next home. Otherwise, it is impossible for him to tell Link that he can make him an NBA player in a short period of time.

Houston Rockets? Only a fool like Carl Jones would push Link to Houston. Besides the hype, what can Houston bring to Link?

Golden State Warriors? Come on, the Bay Area has the largest Chinese population in the United States, so you can figure out what the Warriors need Link to do with your toes. Link is here to play, not to be a clown. So, the Warriors are also ruled out.

The Dallas Mavericks are a good choice, but Jeff Austin is worried that Mavericks coach Carlisle doesn't trust the rookie.

After taking the lead in excluding these teams that were interested in Link, he only had two options left.

One is the Cleveland Cavaliers and the other is the Memphis Grizzlies.

Needless to say, the Cavaliers have been full of opportunities since James left. But again, the departure of James left the Cavaliers with little market and attention. If Link was sent to Cleveland, he would be forgotten in less than a month.

Finally, Jeff Austin made a call. He is very familiar with this person, after all Marc Gasol is Jeff Austin's client. So he's also worked with the guy who's about to be on the phone before.

"Hello? Jeff? What's the big night?"

"Hello, Wallace. Maybe you don't know, I'm Link's manager now. I heard you guys really need a small forward who can play right now. So, when are we going to discuss ten-day contracts? thing?"

Jeff Austin's self-confidence was the same throughout. He didn't ask the other party if Link was needed, but directly asked when the other party would sign the contract.

Austin knew, after all, that the Memphis Grizzlies had no reason to reject Link.