For Stephenson, this day was definitely not a pleasant one.

In NBA, he found that he didn't seem to be that strong. After all, NBA is the highest-level basketball league in the world, and playing there is the most successful basketball player 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 on the scene. 12 to 26, he completely defeated Link in scoring!

Throughout the game, Link's scoring looked dull. Except for the dunk after cutting, Link's scoring method was very ordinary, mostly shooting.

However, he scored the highest 26 points in this simple way. The most terrifying thing is that Stephenson actually scored only 12 points in an NBDL game.

Link's defense against Stephenson today is perfect. Indeed, his athletic ability and physical fitness look very ordinary, but he can do it without losing his position.

The anxious Stephenson often forcibly shot without getting rid of the defense. It would be strange if he could score efficiently after hitting the game.

Therefore, at the end of the game, he walked towards his opponent and the Chinese No. 5 who was spoken by Paul George every day.

"You won this time, but next time we meet, I won't let you pass the test easily. Damn, don't think it's all over!"

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

"I'm afraid we won't meet next time. Lance, you should be back to the Pacers soon?"

"That's right, when we meet again next time, we will definitely not play in the Development League. On the NBA field, I will return everything I have encountered today."

After finishing up angrily, Stephenson turned and left. Link laughed helplessly. NBA still sounded like an out of reach dream.

Seeing Stephenson leave, Link is also ready to return to the locker room. But this time, when he was about to walk back to the player's passage, he welcomed several "uninvited guests".

"Link, I'm a reporter for the Indiana Post. Can you accept our interview?"

A female reporter reached 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 was not swallowing because of that touch of color. The reason why he was nervous was because this was the first time he had been interviewed by a reporter in his life!

"Accept an interview? Of course, of course." Link nodded in confusion. Only then did he realize that the female reporter was so "beautiful".

"Today, you led the Blues to a two-game winning streak. After continuing to score a triple-double in the last game, you scored another double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds today. How long do you think your performance will last?"

The reporter's question is very simple and not tricky. After all, this is a Development League game, and there is too little popularity for hype. Therefore, there are usually no reporters asking some tricky questions.

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

"So do you think, with your recent performance, can you receive a 10-day contract offer for the NBA? I've heard that you have attracted the attention of many NBA teams. It is said that now, the Houston Rockets are actively recruiting you, and you have any thoughts on this?"

"Well, I'm very happy that the NBA team has noticed me, especially the Houston Rockets." Link said halfway to the camera, but suddenly felt something was wrong. His sweat began to drip down, not tired, but scared!

"Miss, I'm sorry, you just said that the Houston Rockets are actively recruiting me?" Link asked a question from the reporter, and he found that his mind was a little overworked.

※※※

As soon as Link returned to the locker room, he immediately took out his cell phone from the cabinet. Sure enough, there were dozens of missed calls on it. And these calls came 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 so long? Didn't the game end long ago??"

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

"I just went to an interview with a reporter. What's wrong with Carl, do you have any news to tell me?" Link's heart pounded. He dared to swear that the last time he was so nervous, it was when he checked 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 I have good news to tell you? You've been signed, Link! NBA, you're going to NBA. I received a call from Rockets General Manager Morey earlier, and he wanted to provide you with a short ten-day contract! Your opportunity is here, Link, your opportunity is here!"

"Well!"

Hearing the manager's words, Link's head suddenly turned blank, and it felt like he had just passed by the first day.

Link looked around. His teammates were still there, and he was still wearing the Blue Team away jersey. He didn't dream or travel through time. This time it was true. He was going to NBA!

"When will we sign the contract?" After a long time, Link, who calmed down his emotions, spoke.

"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 that according to the NBA rules, you can get the maximum amount this year at $52,000. This is already a very generous condition, Link!"

When Link heard the number 52,000, he felt dizzy again.

Indeed, even a player with a basic salary in NBA can sign a number of hundreds of thousands of thousands of dollars, which seems to be insignificant.

But in the Development Alliance, the contract is only divided into three levels.

A-level can earn an annual salary of US$25,000, and B-level can earn 19,000. Those who have just graduated from college can only get a C-level contract in the Development League, with an annual salary of only US$13,000.

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

But now, he only needs to play with the Rockets for 10 days and get $52,000! He can get the salary he had only earned four or five years in just about three games!

This is also why many Development League players are willing to sign a ten-day short contract. 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 the $52,000, your business value will definitely improve rapidly after entering the Houston Rockets. Because of Yao Ming, the Rockets may be the most popular Chinese players in the NBA, and you will be very popular there. Not to mention it, there are already several calls for commercial endorsements. We are going to get rich, Link, hahahahaha!"

Until Carl Jones hung up the phone, Link stood there in a daze.

NBA, Houston Rockets, can earn 50,000 dollars in ten days, all of this seems like dreaming, and suddenly you have it all.

His whole body was trembling uncontrollably. The life of the lower-level players was finally about to say goodbye.

※※※

"Houston Rockets? Stupid! He doesn't get any 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 screen of his phone.

"Even if he doesn't get the chance on the Rockets, it has nothing to do with you. That Chinese is just a lucky person who has just passed away. Every year, there are always a few players like this in the Development League. Instead of caring about this Chinese, you might as well pay more attention to the Greek who I mentioned to you."

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

"You mean Jannis Antetokounmpo? The guy who is still mingling in the youth team of the Spanish League Two club? He is indeed worth noting, but he is still too far from the NBA now. But it's a pity that the Chinese people should find a more professional manager, not a newcomer like Carl Jones who I have never heard of."

"Okay, 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? What? I think it's impossible? That's right, so don't worry about that Chinese. We still have many goals, Jeff."

After hearing what the assistant said, Jeff Austin smiled bitterly and turned off Link's news.

But he still felt sorry in his heart. If he could be the manager of the Chinese, his career would have been smoother.
Chapter completed!