Can Dennis Rodman convince 'cool guy' Putin to release Brittney Griner?

NBA champ Dennis Rodman says he will travel to Russia to help out WNBA player Brittney Griner, who is currently imprisoned in the country.

Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison for drug possession charges.

According to NBC News, Rodman said, "I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl," during an interview in Washington, D.C.

The 61-year-old athlete went on to say, "I'm trying to go this week," and Rodman then added, "I know Putin too well."

Despite Rodman claiming he "got permission" to travel to Russia, Americans currently only need a Russian visa and do not need permission from the United States to travel to the country.

Nonetheless, NBC News reported that a senior Biden administration official believes Rodman could do more harm than good regarding Brittney Griner's situation.

The official said, "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."

Dennis Rodman considers himself a "basketball ambassador" and has a history with Vladimir Putin.

In 2014 Rodman met Putin and told Fox Business that he thought the Russian president was a "cool guy."

Perhaps Rodman hopes to meet up with Putin himself and pull some strings to help with Griner's release?

As wild as it seems, who knows.... Rodman's influence has helped prisoners get released in the past.

Rodman managed to befriend North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un who is also a massive fan of the NBA.

Photo: Screenshot ABCNews

The former Chicago Bulls player called the dictator a "friend" and a "very good guy."

In 2014, Rodman wrote a letter to Kim Jong-un asking for the release of American Kenneth Bae, who was imprisoned in North Korea.

Shortly afterward, a video of Bae was released showing him alive and well, and nine months later, he was released from prison.

Even though Kim Jong-un never publicly acknowledged the letter from Rodman, the basketball star believes he played a crucial role in Kenneth Bae's release.

Bae told CNN in 2016 that he is sure that Rodman's comments on his situation and his later to Jong-un played a large part in his release.

Bae told CNN, "I thank Dennis Rodman for being a catalyst for my release....He brought attention to my plight."

If Dennis Rodman is able to help Griner, Americans will be thrilled. Even though Brittney Griner's attorneys are planning to appeal the guilty verdict that has her sentenced to 9 years of prison, the process is slow.