Chapter 20: Oden joins the team

"What do you mean? I can still return to the NBA!" Oden stood up excitedly. He was already imposing while seated, but now Jake had to crane his neck to meet his eyes.

"Well... let's sit down and talk," Jake suggested as they moved to the rehabilitation center's lounge area and took a seat.

"Why did you come to find me?" Oden asked with a self-deprecating smile. "I thought no one would ever show up again."

From 2008 to 2014, Oden had played only 82 games across seven seasons. His short-lived comeback with the Miami Heat the previous season had been a disaster, leaving most people to believe his NBA career was over. Many expected Oden to play in the CBA with the Jiangsu team, eventually retiring in defeat.

"Of course, if possible, I wouldn't mind giving you another chance." Jake poured himself a glass of water and spoke slowly. "But I do have a few questions for you." He looked Oden directly in the eyes. "I watched your training earlier. How's your recovery going?"

Oden's face hardened with frustration. "The recovery is progressing, but… you know, I've had too many injuries. It's hard to get back to where I was."

Hearing this, Jake frowned slightly. With the health recovery card he had from the system, healing Oden's injuries would be easy. But Jake's bigger concern was whether Oden's long battle with injuries and public ridicule had destroyed his confidence.

"Injuries are a big issue, but they aren't the most important thing right now," Jake said, pausing deliberately before continuing, "What I want to know is this: do you still want to return to the NBA? And what are you willing to sacrifice to make that happen?"

Jake's words hit Oden like a bomb. The former No. 1 draft pick clenched his fists, his eyes burning with intensity. "I'd give everything I've got! I'll be a sparring partner, a bench warmer, I'll do the dirty work. I just need a chance to come back."

Jake saw the determination in Oden's eyes and made up his mind. "Alright. I hope what you're saying is true, and I hope my decision today is the right one. I'll be in New York for two more days, and after that, you'll come back with me to Sacramento. I'll offer you a contract."

"Thank you! Thank you! I won't waste this opportunity!" Oden said, quickly standing to show his loyalty.

"Don't get too excited. We'll have plenty of time to meet again," Jake replied, standing up and shaking Oden's hand. "When we get back to Sacramento, I'll set up a rehab plan for you. We'll aim to get you on the court by December."

After they exchanged contact details and parted ways, Jake's phone rang.

"Young man, care to join me for a meal?" A deep, authoritative voice came through the speaker. "This is Phil."

Jake's mind went blank for a moment. "Zen Master" Phil Jackson, one of the most respected coaches in NBA history with 11 championship rings, and the current president of the Knicks.

"Of course, Phil. I'd be honored."

Phil laughed, seemingly pleased with Jake's response. "Great. Meet me at 7 o'clock at the Sky Garden in New York."

As soon as the call ended, Jake began running through the Knicks' situation in his mind. Last year, the team had finished ninth in the Eastern Conference, missing the playoffs. The Knicks were weighed down by massive contracts for Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, not to mention the burden of Andrea Bargnani's $20 million deal. Aside from JR Smith, who had won Sixth Man of the Year, and promising young player Tim Hardaway Jr., the Knicks didn't have much to offer.

What could the legendary Phil Jackson want from Jake? His curiosity growing, Jake anxiously awaited the evening.

The Sky Garden was one of New York City's most famous restaurants, perched atop a skyscraper with floor-to-ceiling windows and lush greenery, making it feel like a floating garden in the sky. When Jake arrived, Phil Jackson was already seated in a prime spot. Dressed in a custom tuxedo, his gray beard gave him a grandfatherly look.

Feeling slightly out of place, Jake took a seat opposite Phil, as it wasn't often he dined in such an upscale setting.

"You've given us quite a few surprises this season," Phil began as the appetizers were served. "Though, perhaps it's better to call them shocks. Your rise has put many team executives on edge."

Startled, Jake accidentally fumbled his fork, placing it down in embarrassment. "Maybe I've just been lucky," he said modestly.

"Luck?" Phil chuckled. His approach contrasted with that of Gregg Popovich—another coaching legend—who was more stoic. "I don't believe your draft picks and trades are just luck. So tell me, what brings you to New York? Are you more interested in us, or Brooklyn?"

Jake carefully chose his words. "Honestly, I don't have a specific target in mind. But, hey, if you're willing to trade Anthony, we'd be more than happy to consider it," he joked, eliciting a laugh from Phil.

"I always thought people from the East were too serious and lacked a sense of humor," Phil said with a chuckle. "Guess that's just a rumor."

Then, Phil's tone shifted as he got down to business. "So, are you interested in making a deal with me?"

Jake's nerves were suddenly on edge, though he kept his face calm. "Oh? Which of our players caught your eye? Everything is negotiable."

"I've heard you're thinking of clearing up your forward rotation. Are some of your rotation players on the trading block?" Phil inquired, dodging Jake's question.

Jake nodded, choosing his words carefully. "I do have some thoughts in that direction, but I'm not planning anything drastic. The team's in good shape right now, and making major changes could backfire."

"That's true. But I have a guy—Bargnani—I think he'd be a good fit for your team," Phil said with a sly grin.

Jake's heart sank. You want me to take on Bargnani's garbage contract? No way. As the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, Bargnani was once touted as the next Dirk Nowitzki. But that potential had fizzled, and now he was carrying a $20 million contract, a terrible deal.

Sensing Jake's hesitation, Phil quickly added, "Of course, I wouldn't let you suffer. I'll take Jason Thompson off your hands and throw in a first-round pick."

Thompson, a bench player with no major role on the Kings, was expendable. Phil's offer was clearly about clearing Bargnani's salary cap space while gaining a draft pick. Jake smiled but shook his head. "I'm sorry, but Bargnani isn't part of our team-building plans. He's a great player, but unfortunately, he doesn't fit into our current system."

"But," Jake continued, leaning forward slightly, "I do have a proposal for you. Let's see if it interests you."

Phil, who had been a little disappointed after Jake rejected his initial offer, perked up. "Oh? What do you have in mind? Anyone on my roster, except Anthony, is up for discussion."

Jake shook his head, smiling. "No, not a player. I'm talking about your draft pick."

Phil's brows furrowed at the mention of draft picks. "This year's draft pick is off-limits. I could give you a protected first-rounder for 2017, though."

2017? Jake thought, a bit taken aback. A draft pick two years down the line wasn't helpful for his plans. "If it's protected, I'd only accept a top-three protection at most. Top five is my bottom line."

Jake knew that if things followed the historical trajectory, the Knicks would still be a mess in 2017. He couldn't recall the exact pick number, but he knew it wouldn't be low.

"I'm willing to throw in Derrick Williams. That's my good faith offer," Jake added. Williams, a rotation player averaging 7.1 points per game, was still young with some potential. Swapping him for a future first-round pick seemed like a fair deal.

Phil wasn't too enthused. "I'm not particularly interested in a 2017 pick," Jake continued, spearing a cherry tomato with his fork and chewing slowly. "We need short-term assets. Here's my revised offer: swap this year's first-round pick with ours, add a 2018 first-round pick, and I'll give you Williams. All you need to do is throw in a small bonus to keep the roster balanced."

Phil's eyes widened at the suggestion. Swapping draft picks? That's actually doable.

Though the Kings were leading the Western Conference, Phil, with his seasoned eye, knew their record was inflated. The team's core—Cousins and Gay—wasn't strong enough to carry them through the whole season, and while their rookies had shown flashes of talent, their inconsistency would inevitably be exposed. By the second half of the season, the Kings' draft position might not be much better than the Knicks', making the swap less risky.

Plus, getting Williams for free and using a future draft pick from 2018, three years down the line, to bolster his current roster was a no-brainer.

A sly smile spread across Phil's face as the two leaned in closer, whispering over the finer details of the deal.