: 21: "High-value" contracts

　　 For Stephenson, this day is definitely not a pleasant one.
　　 In the NBA, he found himself not that strong. After all, the NBA is the highest level basketball league in the world, and they are the most successful basketball players in the world.
　　 But Stephenson never expected that he would lose so thoroughly in the Development League.
　　 At the end of the game, Lance Stephenson looked up at the big screen. 12 to 26, he defeated Link in scoring!
　　 Throughout the game, Link's scoring looked unremarkable. Except for a dunk after a cut, Link's scoring method is very ordinary, mostly shooting.
　　 However, he was surprised to score a game-high 26 points in this simple way. The most frightening thing is that Stephenson actually scored only 12 points in an NBDL game.
　　 Link's defense against Stephenson today can be described as dripping. Indeed, he looks very ordinary in athletic ability and physical fitness, but he can do it without losing his position.
　　 Anxious Stephenson often shoots forcibly without getting rid of the defense, so it is strange that his scoring efficiency can be high.
　　 So at the end of the game, he walked to his opponent, to the Chinese No. 5 that Paul George talked about every day.
　　 "This time you won, but next time we meet, I won't let you pass the level easily. Damn, don't think everything is over!"
　　 Stephenson's reluctant expression made Link shook his head. This guy is obviously a kid's temper.
　　 "I'm afraid we won't meet next time, Lance, you should be returning to the Pacers soon, right?"
　　 "That's right, when we meet again next time, we will definitely not play in the Development League. In the NBA, I will give back everything I encountered today."
　　 After speaking badly, Stephenson turned and left. Link laughed helplessly, NBA...This still sounds like an unattainable dream.
　　 Seeing Stephenson leave, Link is also preparing to return to the locker room. But this time, when he was about to walk back to the player channel, he ushered in a few "uninvited guests."
　　 "Link, I'm a reporter for the Indiana Post, can you give us an interview?"
　　 A female reporter put the microphone to Link's mouth, causing Link to swallow.
　　 The female reporter smiled with satisfaction. She is confident in her career line. But in fact, Link didn't swallow because of that touch of color. He was nervous because it was the first time he was interviewed by a reporter in his life!
　　 "Accept the interview? Of course, of course." Lin Ke nodded ignorantly, and then he realized that the female reporter was so "beautiful".
"Today, you led the blue team to a two-game winning streak. After winning a triple-double in the last game, today you scored 26 points and 11 rebounds in a double-double. Do you think that your performance How long can it last?"
　　 The reporter's question is simple and not tricky. After all, this is a development league game, and the heat for hype is too little. Therefore, there are usually no reporters asking too tricky questions.
　　 "Of course I hope I can keep going, so I will continue to work hard." Link replied very well. Although he had never been a big star, he would still say polite words.
"So do you think that based on your recent performance, can you receive an offer for an NBA ten-day short contract? I have heard that you have attracted the attention of many NBA teams. It is said that the Houston Rockets are now actively What do you think about recruiting you?"
　　 "Well, I'm very happy to have NBA teams paying attention to me, especially the Houston Rockets..." Link said halfway to the camera, but suddenly felt something was wrong. His sweat began to trickle down, not tired, but scared!
　　 "Miss, I'm sorry, you just said...Houston Rockets are actively recruiting me?" Link asked the reporter a question, and he found that his brain was not working well.
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　　 As soon as Link returned to the locker room, he immediately took out his phone from the cabinet. Sure enough, there were dozens of missed calls. And these calls are all from one person-Carl Jones.
　　 Link hurriedly called back, but before he could press the dial button, Karl Jones called again.
　　 "Hey, why is it so long? Isn't the game over long ago!?"
　　 As soon as the call was answered, Link heard Carl Jones' anxious voice.
　　 "I just went to an interview with a reporter, what's wrong, Karl, do you have any news to tell me!" Link's heart was beating, and he swears that he was so nervous the last time he was checking the college entrance examination results.
　　 After all, these are the only two things that can change Link's fate so far.
"How do you know that I have good news to tell you? You are signed, Link! NBA, you are going to the NBA. I received a call from Rockets general manager Morey earlier and he wanted to provide you with A ten-day short contract! Here comes your chance, Link, here comes your chance!"
　　 "Weng!"
　　 Hearing the manager's words, Link's head suddenly went blank, and it felt like he had just crossed the first day.
　　 Link looked around, his teammates are still there, and he is also wearing the blue team away jersey. He did not dream, nor did he cross, this time it was true, he was going to the NBA!
　　 "When are we going to sign the contract?" After a long time, Link calmed his emotions before speaking.
"Tomorrow, when 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. US dollars. This is already a very generous condition, Link!"
　　 Hearing the number 52,000, Link felt dizzy again.
　　 Indeed, even a minimum salary player in the NBA can sign a small hundreds of thousands. The number of 52,000 seems to be insignificant at all.
　　 But in the development alliance, the contract is only divided into three levels.
　　 A grade can get an annual salary of 25,000 US dollars, and B grade can get 19,000 dollars. Those who just graduated from college like Link can only get a C-level contract in the Development League, and the annual salary is only 13,000 US dollars.
　　 If it's not single + no adoptive parents for the time being + often eating and drinking at Upshaw's house, Link really can't survive by playing basketball.
　　 But now, he only needs to go to the Rockets to play for 10 days and get 52,000 US dollars! Only by playing about three games, you can get the salary you could only earn in the past four or five years!
　　 This is why many development league players are willing to sign ten-day short contracts. As long as they can sign a ten-day short contract, they can earn at least two years of salary regardless of whether they can stay in the end!
"Enjoy the victory, Link. Not only this $52,000, your business value will definitely increase by leaps and bounds after you enter the Houston Rockets. Because of Yao Ming, the Rockets may be the most popular team for Chinese players in the entire NBA. Now, you will be very popular there. Let’s leave it alone, there have already been several business endorsement calls. We are going to make a fortune Link, hahahahaha!"
　　 Link still stood there blankly until Karl Jones hung up the phone.
　　 NBA, Houston Rockets, you can make $50,000 in ten days... All this seems to be dreaming, and suddenly I have it all.
　　 He couldn't stop trembling all over, UU read the life of the bottom players at www.uukanshu.com, and finally said goodbye.
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　　 "Houston Rockets? Stupid! He didn't get a chance at all with the Rockets. Morey just needs the Chinese market."
　　 After learning that the Rockets are 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 in the Rockets, it has nothing to do with you. That Chinese is just a lucky one in a flash. Every year, there are always a few short-lived players like this in the Development League. Instead of caring about this Chinese, you Why not pay more attention to the Greek I mentioned to you."
　　 In front of the middle-aged man, another younger man said disapprovingly.
"You mean Yannis Antetokounmpo? The guy who is still in the youth team of the Spanish second division club? He is worth noting, but he is still too far away from the NBA. But that Chinese... .. It's a pity, he should find a more professional manager instead of a newcomer like Carl Jones that I have never heard of."
"Well, Jeff, it’s not easy for a manager to sign potential players. Maybe one day your Chinese genius will fire his manager and choose you? Why? I think it’s impossible? That’s right, So don’t worry about the Chinese. We still have many goals, Jeff."
　　 Hearing what the assistant said, Jeff Austin smiled bitterly and turned off Link's news.
　　 But he still feels sorry in his heart, if he can be that Chinese manager, his career should be smoother.
　　 A Chinese player with both strength and commercial value fell into the hands of Carl Jones. It was a violent thing.