A System With Teeth

The problem was price. Winning had moved Charlotte out of pure seller territory, but the league still smelled inexperience. Executives called with offers that treated Daniel like a substitute teacher. "Two firsts for Adrian Vale," one GM said, naming a thirty-year-old scorer with a hamstring history. "No." "Your fans need a name." "My coach needs stops." "You cannot sell stops." Daniel looked through the glass at Tyrese and Jamal arguing over a shell drill. "Watch us." The locker room felt the deadline too. Players knew trades were not abstractions. They were apartments, school changes, friendships interrupted by phone calls. Marcus asked Daniel directly if the core was safe.