Chapter 589: 589
After Osef had one successful experience in overcoming his drug cravings, a second and a third soon followed .
A basketball player who could become a famous player in the NBA naturally had strong willpower . Without it, he wouldn't have able to gain a foothold in the NBA . The more he resisted his cravings, the easier it became to do so .
More importantly, Osef could not buy drugs in Los Angeles . The Mexican drug dealers took Dai Li's money and said that they would not sell to Osef . The drug dealers in Los Angeles couldn't risk offending suppliers just so they could sell to one buyer . In addition, Osef was a celebrity . He almost died as a result of an overdose . If Osef really died, the dealer who sold him the drugs would get into trouble .
Osef was forced to detoxify because he couldn't buy drugs . After going through several days of painful withdrawal and all-day training, his physical condition improved .
In the training room, Dai Li walked over to Osef . He saw he was drenched in sweat and said, "You look very good . If you stick to it, you will be able to play on the courts again in a few months . "
"I hope so . " Osef stopped working out and said, "In fact, I already planned to go overseas . I asked my agent to contact European teams . I don't know if the European league is willing to take me in . If Europe doesn't want me, then I can only go to Asia . Coach Li, if I go to China to play, I will need your recommendation . "
"Go to China? Why don't you return to the NBA? That's the place you belong," Dai Li said .
Osef sighed helplessly . "I have a bad record there . I don't think any NBA team would take in someone as useless as me . "
"That may not be the case . " Dai Li smiled and said, "If you can really get back to your previous condition you'll be fine . No, that's not true . As long as you can get back 70% of your previous condition, you can stay in Los Angeles . "
"Do you mean to get me back on the Lakers?" asked Osef subconsciously . He shook his head . "Impossible, the Lakers won't want me anymore . "
"The Lakers aren't the only team in Los Angeles . Don't forget the Clippers; their head coach is standing right in front of you," Dai Li replied with a smile .
Osef was stupefied . He suddenly remembered Dai Li's other job . Osef asked, "Coach Li, are you making a joke?"
"No . " Dai Li became solemn . "We really need to strengthen our frontline . I can give you this opportunity, but only if you work hard . You have to start over, like a rookie . Perform well to get a contract for yourself . The contract that you get is likely to be an unguaranteed one!"
. . .
The NBA offseason began and rumors of various trades were flying around . The players were looking for better teams and teams began to strengthen their manpower .
Every reporter began to try to get the latest scope, hoping to get first-hand information on player signings .
Some reporters noticed that Osef was training at Dai Li's center .
In truth, most reporters normally don't pay attention to ex-stars like Osef; however, his socialite wife was high profile . Every so often, she would make the news . Osef was dragged into the news by association . This news wasn't positive . Most of the time they made fun of him going bald .
. . .
Dai Li attended the Clippers' media meeting in person .
After the reporters asked a few questions about the summer league, a reporter finally asked about Osef .
"Coach Li, I heard that Osef is training at your center . Is he really planning to make a comeback?" A reporter asked .
"Please don't ask questions not related to the team . " The M . C . immediately stopped the reporter's question .
Dai Li made a gesture signaling that it was okay, picked up the microphone and replied . "Osef announced his comeback at the end of the last regular season . There were media reports at the time . This shouldn't be considered news, right?"
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"Is Osef planning to join the Clippers?" The reporter then asked .
"Why would you think that? Did Osef tell you?" Dai Li asked with a smile . He guessed that Osef had leaked the news .
"I am very sorry Coach Li . This was just my own guess . After all, Osef is training in your center; you are the head coach of the Clippers," the reporter replied .
"The center is my personal business and does not involve my work in the Clippers . It does not affect my ability to carry out my duties as head coach . I have always separated my private and public businesses . " After he said this, he deliberately made a thoughtful expression . After thinking for a few seconds, he replied, "But what you said reminded me that the Clippers' frontline really needs to be strengthened . If Osef recovers, I will advise our management to give him a contract . "
. . .
The next day, various headlines appeared on all forms of media .
"The best sixth man will return with the Clippers!"
"The Clippers are interested in signing with Osef!"
"Osef returns: a one-year veteran signing with the Clippers!"
Although Dai Li had only said it was a possibility, it became confirmed when it reached the news media . People were predicting what kind of contract he was going to get .
. . .
"Coach, this is a perfect move . Deliberately saying that you want to give a contract to Osef . Ronny must be anxious now . " Cassel pointed to the headline of a sports magazine .
"You're not thinking that I planted journalists there to ask that question, right?" Dai Li asked .
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"Isn't that the case?" Cassel was surprised .
"Of course not!" Dai Li shook his head .
Cassel's eyes widened . "Aren't you using the situation with Osef to put pressure on Ronny so we can be in a better position as we negotiate Ronny's contract renewal?"
Dai Li shook his head again . "You think too much . If Osef really can get back to his previous condition, do we really need Ronny? On the surface, Ronny's scoring average is higher than Osef . However, Ronny is a key player and Osef is the sixth man . Really, in terms of offensive techniques and offensive efficiency, Osef is better than Ronny . Osef has organizational skills . Among the NBA's teams, there aren't a lot of substitutes who can get triple-doubles . . . "
"Wait," Cassel interrupted Dai Li . "Coach, you aren't thinking of actually offering Osef a contract? That guy only cares about drugs and women . He's useless!"
Dai Li shook his head in disapproval and said confidently, "Don't forget, he is training in my training center . The athletes I train all come out jumping higher, running faster, and being stronger!"
. . .
Ever since he demanded $125 million for five years for his contract, Ronny had been ignored .
He initially thought that when the Clippers said that they would consider it, it meant that the management was leaning towards agreeing . They would eventually accept the $125 million for five years that he proposed . He did not expect that he wouldn't hear from them again .
Ronny finally got impatient . He asked his agent to ask the Clippers on the progress of their "consideration . " The reply from the management was that they were still in consideration .
Gradually, Ronny felt that the Clippers were deliberately stalling, so he began to release that he was willing to consider other teams' offers . No teams had approached him so far . After all, the teams knew that Ronny's asking price was not low and the Clippers were likely to match the offer of the other teams .
Over time, many of the free agents got new contracts . Many of them received high-salary contracts . Each high-salary contract that the teams signed ate up more of the money the teams had for new players . Several teams had already crossed the luxury tax threshold . They could not afford to sign new contracts . The number of teams that could offer a high-salary contract to Ronny became lower and lower .
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The Clippers were still in consideration and Ronny's patience was being worn out .
Ronny finally saw the news about Osef .
"What? Osef made a comeback! He is also joining the Clippers!" Ronny looked at the news in total confusion .
As a frontline player who could play in any position, players like Osef were definitely in demand by all teams . If the Clippers really signed him, they would be able to reduce Ronny's playing time . If Osef returned to his previous condition, the Clippers might not even need Ronny anymore .
Ronny called his agent immediately .
"Don't worry . This is just a way for the Clippers to reduce the price . Osef is useless . He almost died from a drug overdose last year . How could he return to the court now? Don't forget that he is still taking drugs . Of all the drug addicts I know, none of them were able to quit . You don't need to worry at all . Don't fall for the Clippers' tricks . " The agent tried to comfort him .
"But there are fewer and fewer teams that can give me high salary contracts now, I am worried . . . "
"Don't worry," the agent interrupted Ronny . "I will talk to the Clippers . Don't forget, they have given you a contract of $100 million for five years . I think this is definitely not their bottom line . We can definitely make the Clippers increase their pay!"
. . .
At the physical fitness training center, Osef was training like crazy .
"Osef has been training very hard recently . I have some concerns about whether his body can withstand such high-intensity training," Payton reported to Dai Li .
Dai Li nodded in satisfaction . "It seems that he is really the prodigal son . "
"I talked to him in between his training session . He really wants to return to the NBA . He said that you promised the Clippers would give him a chance to return, so he does not want to disappoint you . " Payton changed his tone and went on to say, "I grew up in a family of gangsters . I have seen a lot of addicts . I have seen many people who died because of drugs . The number of people who have successfully quit is very low . Coach Li, you are perhaps the only person in this world who has the ability to change a person . "
"Don't flatter me . I just gave him hope . In the end, it depends on him . " Dai Li looked at Osef and sighed . He said, "Osef has experienced so many bad things . His wife is openly demeaning and mocking him . He has become a laughing stock . His pride has been damaged . He needs to regain his dignity as a man . He is now fighting for his dignity!"Please download our sponsor's game to support us!