The Memphis Grizzlies defeated defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in back-to-back games, undoubtedly becoming the biggest upset of the day, no doubt.

On January 3 after the game, this game became a time for people to discuss. Once they talked about this game, the showdown between Link and Kobe was undoubtedly a topic that could not be avoided in any case.

"Tom Lin, Link, I can't remember how many times we mentioned him recently. But his magical aura has never faded since he entered the league. Yesterday's game, Link was very good at defending against Kobe. It was precisely because of his outstanding performance in rotation time that the Grizzlies won."

"The Los Angeles Lakers paid the price for their pride, and I believe you don't know that the Memphis Grizzlies have unknowingly won 5 consecutive victories. At present, their record is 17 wins and 17 losses, just one step away from the eighth place in the West. By the way, it is worth mentioning that Link played 5 games with the Grizzlies, and the Grizzlies just scored five consecutive victories. I think this is enough to illustrate the problem."

"The Houston Rockets let Link go, which was proven to be a wrong decision. After the Development League scored 52 points, this guy went out of control. During the Grizzlies, Link averaged 15.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in five games. There is no doubt that this is a magnificent data. Not all players with 10-day short contracts can perform like this. If nothing unexpected happens, Memphis should give Link a guarantee contract. Link will become a key node on the Grizzlies' path to the playoffs."

The next day at his home in Memphis, Link found that all major TV shows were broadcasting news related to him. Although he had performed well before, his attention had never been that high. Even if he scored 24 points, Link did not attract such widespread attention.

From this we can see how magical the stage of Los Angeles is. No wonder many big-name stars like that place in Los Angeles. Don’t say that this is the Internet era, the attention to playing basketball in big cities and small cities is the same.

The fact is that the attention of Staples Center is completely incomparable to Memphis. The victory in the previous four games is not as good as the attention it has attracted to the Lakers.

What's more, Link restricted Kobe in this game, which made his popularity soar.

Link felt very lucky to meet the defending champion Lakers on the hurdle of expiration of the second ten-day contract. This game made him famous and naturally increased the Grizzlies' favorability for him.

Sometimes, the performance of a game is enough to determine the fate of a low-level player. There are so many opportunities, but there are countless players waiting to fight for it. If you cannot grasp it, you will naturally be eliminated.

Link decided to be very grateful that at least he seized the opportunity himself.

Tomorrow, the Grizzlies will play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at home. After tomorrow, Link's second ten-day contract with the Grizzlies will officially expire. He is already a little impatient and wants to sign the Grizzlies. Thinking that he can win a million-dollar contract immediately, Link is very excited.

Nonsense, whether before or after traveling, numbers of "million" at the level of "million" are out of reach for Link.

If he signed a formal contract, Link's life would be completely different from now. Although it is not said that he will be rich and powerful all his life, at least he doesn't have to live so much now.

Turning off the TV, Link looked out the window and smiled, preparing to go out for training. Although he had only finished a back-to-back game yesterday, when he thought that he was about to sign a contract, Link suddenly felt full of strength.

As soon as he left the door, Link received a call from Jeff Austin. Link was not surprised by this. After all, his ten-day contract will expire tomorrow, so Austin will definitely have to come to Memphis to talk to the team about signing.

Austin undoubtedly did much better than Carl Jones. Link still remembers that when his contract with the Rockets expired some time ago, Carl Jones didn't even fight for him.

"I will be in Memphis this afternoon. Yesterday you performed great and that will become my capital for negotiation." On the phone, Jeff Austin's voice sounded very cheerful. After all, he successfully sent a undraft that he thought had potential to officially send to the NBA.

"Thank you, Mr. Jeff Austin. When will you arrive this afternoon? I'll pick you up after the training?"

"No need, by the time your training is over, I should have been waiting for you in the Grizzlies' general manager's office."

"General Manager's Office?" Link was confused, "Can the contract negotiation start from today?"

"Yes, the Grizzlies decided to renew your contract with you in advance. In this way, after your ten-day short contract is over, you will automatically become a full member of the Grizzlies. So, after the training is over, you should hurry to the general manager's office and sign, and your career will officially begin."

This guy Austin always likes to save surprises until the end before saying it.

※※※

This time, Link bought a relatively cheap suit and signed a formal contract with the NBA team. He didn't want to make it so careless.

Although Memphis is not as commercial as Houston, no reporters were present for his signing today. But Link also wanted to leave a good impression on his general manager, after all, the two sides might have to cooperate for a long time in the future.

Standing in front of the general manager's office, Link tidied up his tie and knocked on the door.

After entering the door, Link found that Jeff Austin and Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace were talking. Judging from the smiles of both sides, the two should be very speculative.

After all, this is not the first time Jeff Austin has worked with Wallace. After seeing Link come in, Austin immediately greets Link to sit down.

"Tell me your offer, Chris, you've seen how capable this kid is." Jeff Austin patted Link on the back. He had actually negotiated a contract with Wallace. Now, it's just asking Link to sign.

"Congratulations, boy. You played five games on the team and the team won five consecutive victories. It turns out that you are the kind of player we are looking for. So, Mr. Jeff Austin and I have reached an agreement. We will sign you with a $2 million contract until the end of the season. Considering that you only played half a season and are a rookie, the contract we have issued is already sincere enough."

When Chris Wallace said this, Jeff Austin beside Link also nodded slightly. The meaning is that this price is what Austin has agreed to, and it is the best price he can win.

As a time traveler, Link remembers the case of two players signing long contracts with the team with two 10-day short contracts. The first is "company commander" Brewer. In 2019, he signed 10-day short contracts with several teams, and finally signed with the Kings for $2 million until the end of the season.

The other is Yogi Ferrer, who shines as a Development League player on the Mavericks and eventually signs a formal contract of $6.3 million for two years.

The price of the first point for these two contracts is the same as Link. But Brewer is a veteran, and his starting salary is much higher than Link. Although the second one can earn more than 3 million a year on average, that was in 2018. The salary cap at that time was completely different from now.

After comparing this comprehensive comparison, Link feels that this contract that he doesn't have is really not small. Tony Allen's annual salary this season is only 3 million. According to league rules, many first-round rookies have no annual salary of $2 million!

"Why is it one year?" After considering the price, Link began to consider the contract term. Logically, it is actually safer to sign a long contract with the team. Because if you only sign for one year, if Link doesn't perform so well in the second half of the season, the Grizzlies can never renew the contract. In this way, Link will lose his job in the NBA again.

But if you sign a contract of two years or longer, Link doesn't have to worry about such a thing.

Although Link doesn't want this to happen, various risks must be taken into account.

"A one-year contract is my idea, because I believe you should have a higher value next year." Austin answered confidently. He believed that Link's next contract price should be higher. If you sign for two years, then Link will have no chance to bargain next year and can only continue playing with a basic salary.

There are also many examples in NBA history where long-term contracts are not signed, but short-term contracts are not signed, but Austin is confident that this kind of thing will not happen to Link.

After hearing Austin's explanation, Link looked through the contract and signed his name with confidence.

At that moment, Link felt his hands trembling. After signing his name, he was about to go from a loser to a millionaire? This feeling was as exciting as winning a lottery, and it was all about getting rich overnight.

After getting $2 million at once, Link felt a little dizzy in his head.

But soon Austin pulled Link out of his fantasy, "Now, I'll tell you all kinds of tax rates, and then calculate how much we can get in the end."

"Tax rate?" Link slapped his forehead and forgot about it himself.
Chapter completed!