Two week long party. That's how we're describing it anyway. From workouts to the draft, the staff here in Phoenix is treating everyday as a party, and why not? Our future is looking very good in the near future. Michael Redd is still here since we're still discussing a contract proposal with him and Jermaine O'Neal doesn't want to leave until he has a contract offered to him. Does he really need to ruin my party before it begins?
Huey Newton: Ugh, what do you want Jermaine?
Jermaine O'Neal: You know exactly what I'm here for Huey.
Newton: This really isn't the time for this, I need to get with the scouts on who we're going to choose to work with this week.
Jermaine: I know, and I'm all for that, I just want to be a part of this team. I want to be the veteran presence the young kids you're preparing to get. No one else on this team, besides Michael has played as long as me.
Newton: We don't want to hand you a contract because we fear you won't be able to live up to it. How many years do you think you have on your old body?
Jermaine: You offered Mike a two year deal, right?
Newton: You're correct, but what are you getting at?
Jermaine: I think I still have at least three years before my time is said and done, I may not be the same impact player as I used to be, but I can still help for sure in the long run teaching some of these guys.
Newton: You really believe you have three years to play? I doubt you'll be able to go through next season without a major injury hindering you.
Jermaine: Come on, Shannon and Sebastian are leaving by their own will, why is it that I have to beg for a contract?
Before I could answer, on queue as usual, Mr. Iverson stepped in and wanted to put his own idea on the matter.
Iverson: How come there isn't a contract on your desk yet?
Jermaine began to start beaming, I had to resist as hard as I could to not lock eyes with him.
Newton: What do you mean Iverson? Last I checked, I am the one calling shots, why should we keep him?
Iverson: Becuase one, Bob wants you to keep him. He rarely played bad during the minutes he had to. Two, he is a locker room presence. We've got a lot of young guys here and some young guys coming in, he is heavily needed.
Newton: Argh, all right. Two years, no more than four million. As soon as you have a long term injury, you're cut.
Jermaine: Well you keep getting a tight trainer staff, expect me to stay.
We hammer out the rest of the details there, he can't sign it yet, only give a verbal agreement according to NBA rules. A 2 year $3.8M contract. If he does really get hurt, we can just send him packing. O'Neal actually got out after that, who would have known? After I see his shoulder slide past the door frame, I turned to Iverson.
Newton: Back to important topics, who due we have scheduled for Sunday and for what exercise?
Iverson pulled out a black iPhone 5 and I waited for him to answer. The dim light popping off the screen, he seemed to be looking at several time schedules at once.
Iverson: Okay for Sunday and Monday we have two shootarounds scheduled for Drazen Petrovic and late draft announcement Chris Smith from Louisville.
Newton: Ahh, J.R. Smith's brother, he looked good this year. Wonder what took so long for him to announce for the draft. Petrovic, that name rings a bell, didn't he play for the Nets once?
Iverson: Yes, I wonder why he took so long too, and No. There was a Petrovic that played for the Nets at one point, I think this Petrovic might be his nephew or something along those lines.
Newton: He can play the point also?
Iverson: Yes, he did that from time to time in Croatia, I watched a few of his games in person. I must say, this kid looks impressive.
Newton: Yeah, we may take him after Anthony, Chris in the second round, if he's available.
Iverson: You're committing early, we need to at least see what we see out of these guys first.
Newton: Ha. You're right, how about Tuesday?
Iverson: Tuesday, one on one with Anthony against someone you want to invite out from free agency.
Newton: I can do that? Hm... Put him up against Kris Humphries, Wednesday?
Iverson: Wednesday we have a five on five between the top picks of the draft, Thursday, Terrence Ross and Jared Sullinger against and Markieff.
Newton: Why Markieff? Why not Darell? We just got him, see what he can too in order to decide what we do with him.
Iverson: All right, will change. Friday, another one on one between J.J. Sparks and Goran.
Newton: Wait, who is this Sparks person?
Iverson: A player with speed and handles, lethal from the line too but mostly nothing else.
Newton: Acceptable, at least we're looking at guards. And Saturday?
Iverson: At the end of the week we have a two on two with Austin Rivers and Tyler Zeller against Avery and Markieff.
Newton: We can finally get this party started. Fire up the microwave and fill the water jug with soda, lets go!