Professional sports manager, as a basketball enthusiast in his past life, Link knew very well how important a good manager is to players. Therefore, he met with Carl Jones the day after receiving the call.

If possible, Link would of course hope to become a part of a well-known manager. He believes that it will help increase his success rate of signing with the NBA team.

If the coach is the one who helps the player on the basketball court, then the manager is the coach whose player is outside the basketball court.

The manager will help the player deal with the business operations and many life matters. A good manager can make the player's career achieve twice the result with half the effort.

If possible, Link would of course hope that he could have an ace manager. For example, Bill Duffy, who is very familiar to Chinese fans, and Dan Feigan. But the cruel fact is that he has no choice now.

How could these ace managers look down on a small out-of-draft?

Therefore, Carl Jones, the self-recommended manager, met Link like this.

"I watched that game and you performed really well. I think the stage of the Development League is so small for you. I really want to help you get into the NBA and you will become a star, man."

Looking at the young white man in front of him, Link always felt a little lack of confidence. As we all know, professional sports managers need connections and experience very much, and finding a young manager is very risky.

Of course, there are no examples of managers becoming famous with players in NBA history. But that is a minority after all, and most famous managers have reached cooperative relationships with a star before they become famous.

However, Link now has no choice. He does need a manager to handle the matters of contact with the NBA team. Moreover, Carl Jones in front of him seems to be his only choice.

"I know you want to help me, but I'm afraid I can't afford to hire you."

After the other party finished speaking, Link finally spoke. In the Development League, Link's annual income is less than 20,000 US dollars. Which manager can he afford?

However, the other party seemed to not care, and obviously guessed this result.

"I don't need a salary, I just need to draw a prize from the team contracts and commercial contracts you signed. In fact, among the top 30 picks of the draft every year, at least 28 players collect managers' money. Because only in this way can a player choose to become a certain manager's client. But like you, I don't have the money to express my sincerity. Therefore, we might as well get each one of them. I will help you get a commercial endorsement and an NBA contract. And you can choose me with confidence."

Link curled his lips and could accept the commission. After all, the manager's commission is very small in every contract, usually no more than 4%. As for what commercial contract can Link get now?

"Are you sure you will help me get the NBA contract?" After thinking for a while, Link still wanted to give it a try. After all, he didn't want to waste too much time in the Development League.

"I can guarantee that Link. Your skin color, your background and your performance on the basketball court are all advantages! Trust me, it is not difficult for me to win you a short ten-day contract."

"Then we can sign a one-year contract first. If the cooperation is pleasant, we can continue to renew the contract."

Link did not choose to fully believe the man in front of him, and the one-year contract was the safest. If you find that the manager was not capable at that time, Link could also replace him immediately.

"No problem, it's a good thing for you to be so alert, Link. I'll start working tomorrow. Believe me, it won't take long, maybe even a month, and you can stand on the NBA stage. Then you will find that signing a contract with me is the most correct decision you have ever made."

Carl Jones snickered and drew a contract with an unknown manager and an unknown player. The cooperation began.

※※※

Zick Upshaw, 26 years old, is about to celebrate his 27th birthday in three months.

26 years old is still a golden age for ordinary people. But for a professional athlete, he is no longer young.

Upshaw himself knew very well that at his age, if he could not score in the NBA within two years, the peak of his career might be explained in the Development League.

The Development League’s salary is low, there is no guarantee, and there are few spectators. But the players all know that if you survive in this league, you will have the opportunity to play NBA.

Upshaw naturally knew this, although he was 26 years old.

NBA, this is like a utopian dream world, driving hundreds of players like Upshaw to continue surviving in this cruel basketball world.

At this time, Upshaw, who had scored 17 points on the court yesterday, has now transformed himself into a dirty uniform sitting in the car wash.

As an NBDL player, Upshaw could barely make a living if he lived alone. But unfortunately, he had a family to take care of. Therefore, Upshaw had to do something else when there was no game.

It was noon and the work in the car wash was not busy. Upshaw had just had lunch and sat in the car wash and looked at his phone. On the phone was the news of yesterday's game. There were photos of him on it and his narrative of cutting 17 points.

Looking at the news, Upshaw smiled slightly. Only at this moment can he feel that he is a real professional player.

"Zike, are you busy?"

When Upshaw was immersed in the dream of a professional player, someone came to the door of the car wash. After looking up, Upshaw showed his white teeth. The visitor was not someone else, but his best friend Tom Lin, Link, on the Blues.

"Big star Link! Hahaha, my colleagues in the car wash today call you that. How about it? Is the signing of a manager happy?" Upshaw walked up and gave Link a hug. He would not forget the wonderful passes Link gave him yesterday.

"I have signed for a year, I hope he can let me sign an NBA contract as soon as possible. Let's go and accompany me to the stadium for a while." In addition to entering the NBA, Link's current goal is to fill the small white strip as soon as possible.

Only by becoming stronger can Link have greater chances of surviving.

Upshaw looked at the car wash behind him, smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I need this $50, Link."

Yesterday, Upshaw's sister fell in love with a not-so-expensive skirt. Although she didn't ask for it, Upshaw could still see her sister's love for the skirt. However, a skirt that was only $200 required Upshaw to work in the car wash for four days.

Upshaw wanted to surprise his sister and add some hope and happiness to the hard family. But all this had to be based on Upshaw's sacrifice.

Link patted Upshaw on the back and expressed his understanding. Link didn't have to take care of his parents now, and it was already difficult for him to survive by himself. So he knew very well how much financial pressure Upshaw was. After all, Upshaw needed to take care of himself.

"I will pass the ball to you in the next game, and we will definitely be able to break into the NBA." Link is a person with a clear love and hate. He is never ruthless to his enemies, such as Brockman. But Link will not be ungrateful to his friends.

"I don't have to, but you can. Hey, when you enter the NBA, I will give you a pair of sneakers. At that time, you can wear it for me to compete in the NBA arena."

"No, you have to wear it in person to play NBA, Zike. I'm leaving. If you have time, come to the court to find me."

Link waved his hand and left, leaving only Upshaw, who was still smiling. On Link, he seemed to see himself when he was young.

If someone can fulfill his NBA dream for him, he will be very happy. The Chinese man worked very hard and deserved success.

At this time, Link had already walked away and Upshaw was about to do his own work. But suddenly, the black player suddenly covered his chest and squatted on the ground.

More than ten seconds later, Upshaw returned to normal again. He seemed to be unwilling to care about the symptoms just now.

In other words, he has been difficult to maintain his basic life and has no extra energy or money to care about his body.
Chapter completed!