Robert. Pera and Link sit in the stands at the Federal Express Arena.

Link was familiar with the arena, having been working here for almost a decade.

Although the Federal Express Arena changed its floor style last season, Link still feels no stranger.

He's had failures and glory here.

Looking at the bottom corner, he remembered Carter's self-redeeming three-pointer.

Looking at the middle circle, he will be reminded of Gasol's long hair when he was fluttering.

Link is familiar with the arena, all too familiar.

But sitting in the stands, this experience is indeed a little strange.

It seemed like Link's first time viewing the arena from the stands.

"I watched your game here. I remember it was New Year's Day in 2012, and the Grizzlies played at home against the Bulls. Against the Bulls' defense, you hit a 40-point triple-double! If I'm not mistaken, it was the first 40-point triple-double of your career. Oh my God, I was stunned. I kept asking myself, is this guy really a draft loser? ”

Pera, who sat next to Link, stared at the empty pitch and gestured with her hand as she spoke.

"Since then, I've been coming to the Federal Express Arena a lot to watch games. Every time, I will be very surprised by your performance. At that time, most of the media and fans didn't like you yet. But I think that kid might have a key role to play! ”

"Then, I bought the Memphis Grizzlies, and I didn't even think about O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay. You've been the heart of my team from the very beginning! Everyone said I was crazy, but what happened? ”

Pera said, turning her head to look at the six championship pennants on the Federal Express Arena!

With the exception of the home courts of the Lakers and Celtics, there is no other arena in the entire league that has more championship pennants than Federal Express Arena.

For Pella, this is what he is most proud of!

Chicago Union Center? Sorry, the number of championship pennants there can only be a tie with the Grizzlies right now.

Link listened silently, didn't speak, just smirked.

Unexpectedly, he and Pera, the diamond king, have such beautiful common memories.

The scenes of the past ten years have all surfaced in Link's mind one by one.

"So...... Have you really decided? Pera shifted her gaze to Link.

It was because he couldn't accept that Link would retire after playing next season, so he and Link went to the empty arena to talk alone for a while.

"I've got it figured, Robert. I'm reluctant too, but I'll have to say goodbye sooner or later. ”

"Hell this summer, Zach is leaving, Tony is leaving. Now, even you're leaving. After receiving Link's affirmative reply, Pera covered her forehead.

The other day, Randolph and Tony. Allen's locker room duo decided to retire as a group.

Both are almost 40 years old and have won enough championships. In their opinion, staying with the Grizzlies will not help much. Other teams, I really don't want to go.

It just so happened that the contract also expired, so the two simply decided to retire at this peak of the Grizzlies' second dynasty, which can be regarded as a perfect end to their careers.

Pera has promised to retire Randolph and Toney. Allen's jersey, fans have also sent blessings, it can be said that everyone is happy.

I just didn't expect that Randolph and Tony. Not long after Allen announced his retirement, Link arrived.

"Hahaha, don't I have to fight for another year. It's not time to leave yet, Pera. Link patted his boss on the shoulder and told him not to be so upset.

Pera also knew that once Link decided something, ten cows would not be able to pull it back.

Besides, Pera did not stand in the way of others' right to choose their lives.

Link wants to live another life, and that's Link's freedom.

Although she was reluctant, Pera slowly accepted the facts.

Yes, leaving a legendary back at the top is also a good ending.

Michael. If Jordan had retired at the top of his career, he might have been more "god".

But Jordan's second comeback let everyone know that the magical MJ is also a mortal in the flesh.

Link's choice is actually quite good.

"You said you would retire if you won the championship again next season, if you ...... What if you can't win the championship? Pera held back for a long time, and finally asked the question.

Link stood up from the stands, crossed over his waist, and looked down at the field where he had created countless accolades.

"We're going to win, Robert, no ifs."

Link's tone was firm, and in the last corner, he wouldn't allow any mistakes to happen.

Half an hour later, Robert Pera and Link were back in the office.

The two parties agreed to sign a one-year contract worth $54.3 million with a maximum salary!

Nearly 55 million a year, which is absolutely astronomical.

Soon, the world will know that Link is only on a one-year contract extension with the Grizzlies. When the time comes, all sorts of suspicions will surely pour out.

But Link doesn't plan to announce his retirement after another year.

Jordan announced his retirement abruptly after winning the championship twice, and Link didn't want to be as sudden as Jordan, but he wouldn't have announced it so early.

For one, several players on the Grizzlies this summer will get big contract offers from other teams. Grizzlies, on the other hand, are constrained by salary space and can't offer a price to match.

So this summer, there are definitely people leaving.

But if Link announces his retirement now, most of them will definitely prefer to take a pay cut and play with Link for another year.

It's not that Link is boasting, he does have such a charisma. At the Grizzlies, he is the most respected and admired person by all his teammates.

Link certainly wants his old friends to accompany him through the final season, but that would be selfish.

The opportunity to sign a big contract doesn't happen every year, and it wouldn't be appropriate for Link to joke with someone else's future just because he wanted everyone to play with him through his final year.

Second, now that the holiday has just begun, the players are still relaxing their tired bodies.

Announcing it at this time will cast a shadow over their vacation.

Therefore, Link felt that announcing his retirement the day before the start of the regular season was a prelude.

He certainly knows that if he uses his influence to force the Grizzlies' dynasty roster for another year, he has a better chance of achieving his goal.

But again, he can't delay others because of his own purpose.

Dinwiddie, for example, is now one of the league's hottest star guards. Last summer, the Nets offered him an annual salary of 34 million for three years.

But Dinwiddie chose to take a pay cut and renew his Grizzlies contract for one year for the goal of three consecutive championships.

This year, Dinwiddie's worth will rise. As far as Link knows, the Nets have raised the price to 42 million for three years.

They are also chasing Irving and Durant, hoping to form a big three and make a comeback at once.

And this price code can't be given by grizzly bears.

The Grizzlies still have Gasol and Conley two big contracts that have not been completed, and last summer they signed Jokic to a near-max contract extension. Now, he has renewed his contract with Link.

These four people basically occupy all of the Grizzlies' salary space.

The Grizzlies can only sign a few middle-class exceptions and base salary players right now, and Dinwiddie certainly can't come up with a price tag to match his strength.

If Dinwiddie is allowed to take a pay cut and stay, Link himself will not be happy.

The same is true for Harrell, Richardson and others, who have now become the backbone of the league and are favored by other teams.

That's why people aren't optimistic about the Grizzlies' championship prospects next season.

Because once again, the Grizzlies' roster will face dismantling and regrouping, just as they did after their first three-game winning streak.

This is the shackle that NBA rules put on the Grizzlies.

This cycle is something that no team can resist.

It was a miracle that the grizzly bears were able to recover after a year.

However, Link is not afraid of a challenge, if this four-in-a-row championship is easily in his hands, then what is the point?

That night, the news that Link had only renewed his contract with the Grizzlies for one year spread around the world.

And this summer's transfer drama has officially begun to be staged.