Jokić didn't understand; the NBA draft is the league's covert battlefield.
Teams that don't have a lottery pick but believe they've found a gem are extremely reluctant to tip their hand.
The Clippers were no exception—after the workouts, they quickly extended a second invitation to Jokić.
This time, the workout was a private, secret affair.
Moreover, the content of the workout wasn't as intense as the first.
It focused more on evaluating Jokić's personality.
Such workouts felt less like a professional basketball tryout and more like a major corporation's interview process.
They were lengthy and more complex.
Jokić, who had not yet received a draft promise, grew impatient, not wanting to waste his time.
"I've already done everything I can. You're not going to be like San Antonio, are you?"
Trem asked cautiously, "Like San Antonio?"
"They were pleased with me, but gave me nothing!" Jokić said. "Listen, I can go back to Serbia. I can accept any result!"