Page 65 of Hard to Score

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

BREXTON

“MAY I ASK WHY YOU’RE advocating for clients who aren’t yours?” Neil Milton, the general manager of the Raptors leans back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of him, eyes laser focused on me.

We’ve always had a good rapport. If we didn’t, I never would have approached him in this manner, but the opportunity presented itself when he asked for my opinion on several players and so I just dove headfirst into it. Now it’s sink or swim.

I was right in my assessment of how a GM would respond to my meddling on another player’s behalf. At least I can trust my instincts on this.

What I’m not trusting is why I even brought Hobbs up in the first place when I’m still mad at him for the high-pressure game he pulled when we were in Miami.

And yet Neil asked my opinion and I thought I’d stick a toe in the water with a GM who I have a good rapport with.

“You’re mistaken. I’m not necessarily advocating for them. It’s more along the lines of showing you how the chess pieces would fall if you moved the King.”

He nods as he chews my words over. “But the statement you made about Hobbs—that he wants you—was clear as day.”

“I’m simply being upfront with you about the fact that Hobbs approached me. He said he wants to play in California for reasons I’m not privy to.”

“Why’d he approach you?” Neil asks.

“He said his agent isn’t pursuing the avenue, but that he knew I had connections there and decided to try another means to get traded.” I set my pen down and don’t back down from his stare.

“Yet he’s not your client and you’re still standing before me.”

“I assure you that being caught in the middle of this is the last place I want to be. I’m standing before you because we have a history and a good working relationship. You asked my opinion about players and while I’d rather stay completely out of this, I decided to be honest and let you know what I’ve heard. Talk to your players to validate what I’m saying. See what they say. But Justin is telling everyone he has one foot out the door. His immaturity is showing and his teammates aren’t happy with it. Besides, I have players on this team. The Raptors’ success means their success.” I shrug. “The last thing I want is for you to be caught blindsided in his upcoming contract negotiations if Finn Sanderson decides to act on his client’s wishes.”

“And you expect me to believe that there’s nothing in this for you?”

“Like I said, I do have clients on the team as well as one out in California who would be a good fit here in a trade.”

“A QB?”

I narrow my eyes and shake my head at him. “Why would you need a quarterback when you have a phenomenal one sitting in the wings?”

“Bowman?”

I nod. “Yes, Bowman.”

“Are you representing him now too?” He chuckles.

I shake my head. “No, but I don’t understand why the guy doesn’t get a shot.”

“There are reasons.”

“Like something his dad may have done ten years ago that holds no bearing on his career? You mean those kinds of reasons?”

“This is the moment in the conversation where I tell you you’re starting to step over the line, Brexton.”

I shove up out of my seat and walk to the far end of the conference room, confused and trying hard to keep my personal emotions out of the situation. “Understood, but have you seen him down on the practice field after a game? Have you stopped and watched him in the darkness? It’ll be nine o’clock at night and he’s out there working. His arm is a laser. His stats from when he’s been given a shot are insane. And from what I’ve heard from the guys in passing, he plays simply because he loves the game.”

“And you’ve taken all of this away by watching him practice on the practice field?”

“No. I saw him the one time and then looked him up. I was confused over why he was in the dark instead of under the lights and in front of a crowd of sixty thousand.”

“And what is it you think you found when you researched him?”

“I found the next leader of your team.”