Ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman, never one to be afraid to jump in and help, announced that he would aid Brittney Griner in her recovery. Brittney was jailed for nine years in Russia after she tried to sell a little cannabis oil. However, the U.S. government has an alternative plan.

“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News. “I’m trying to go this week.”

A “senior Biden official” seemed to suggest he wasn’t amused by Rodman’s intentions. “It’s public information that the administration has made a significant offer to the Russians and anything other than negotiating further through the established channel is likely to complicate and hinder release efforts,” said the official.

Russian authorities detained Griner because she only had 0.7 grams THC oil. Unilad reports. Since then, Griner’s case has become a divisive political flashpoint inside and out of the United States. 

On August 4, a Russian court found Griner guilty on drug charges. She was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years imprisonment. This is despite tensions between Moscow and Washington due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Rodman’s plan could interfere with the Biden administration’s plan to trade prisoners.

Anthony Blinken (Secretary of State) revealed in July that the United States was willing to exchange Griner or Paul Whelan for the release of a Russian arms dealer currently held in America. Bill Richardson was a former U.S. diplomat and said on August 16 to ABC News that there are still hopes for an exchange.

Senior Biden officials don’t want anyone to meddle in the exchange. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4, travel advisory to Americans contemplating stepping in Russia while there is war. New York Post reports.

“Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the singling out of U.S. citizens in Russia by Russian government security officials including for detention, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19-related restrictions, and terrorism. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart Russia immediately,” the advisory reads. “Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions.”

Rodman, however, added that he knows President Putin “too well.”

Rodman, could you do it again?

Rodman’s powers of persuasion have been used before, albeit through unconventional means—often leading into controversy.

Rodman sat down with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un during multiple visits over the last 10 years. He then participated in the 2018 meeting with former President Donald Trump in Singapore. Rodman claimed that it was because of a letter he wrote to Kim Jong-Un, that North Korea released American missionary Kenneth Bae who had been imprisoned for over two and a half years in the country for “unspecified acts.”

After visiting Moscow in 2014, Rodman has become more friendly with Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Twitter has been a little suspicious of Rodman’s relationships with Putin and Kim Jong Un.