Might as well gamble

June 26, 2014—fourteen days had passed since the Grizzlies won the 2013–14 NBA championship.

Over those fourteen days, Link had enjoyed true peace and quiet. He and Rachel spent half a month of leisurely time together without anyone bothering them. Since becoming a professional player, Link had never relaxed like this before.

But on June 26, Link returned to the public eye for the first time since the championship parade.

Brooklyn, New York. Barclays Center. Before the draft, touted as the best in a decade and comparable to the 2003 class, began, Link unexpectedly appeared before the public.

It was not unusual for a team's franchise player to attend the draft. But for a franchise player to show up for a team that only had a second-round pick—that was highly unusual.

Naturally, Link did not reveal the team's plans to the cameras. He merely said casually, "This is supposed to be the best draft class in ten years. Of course I wouldn't miss it. Besides, I never got to attend a draft myself, so I wanted to experience the atmosphere."

With just a few words, Link convinced the reporters. If he had not brought it up, many people might have forgotten that the player who had swept every major individual award that year had actually gone undrafted!

The NBA was just that magical a place.

The draft was packed with stars. Andrew Wiggins, hailed as the next James, was surrounded by reporters, while Jabari Parker talked about his dream of winning an NBA championship.

Even Joel Embiid, who was recovering from injury in California, was given a remote interview.

Looking at these young men who had attracted so much attention before even entering the league, Link could not help but feel envious.

Back before he entered the league, he would