Is Dennis Rodman on his way to become a new man? The Former NBA Champion is willing to lay down his life for others.

There is evidence to intimate that a metamorphosis is occurring in the former Bulls player's life as he repeatedly mooted the spiritual notion of self-sacrifice in a recent interview with CNN https://www.cnn.com/2014/01/31/us/dennis-rodman-interview/.

In the interview, Dennis Rodman introduced himself as an alcohol addict whose ethics still trumps his many frailties and the former NBA player even seemed ready to prove his detractors wrong. The afresh self-portrayed to be-mediator did obtain the positive media coverage he sought by not endorsing publicly Kim Jong-un's decision of detaining in prison a US citizen.

Though it is alas only one facet of the diplomatic dichotomous stance of the player who brushed off any question concerning Kim Jong-un's authoritarian and abusive domestic politics, any future involvement of the former NBA star in the case of Kenneth Bae may result in the denouement of a long-standing diplomatic issue.

We are reminded that early January, the eccentric former NBA player maintained that US prisoner in North Korea, Kenneth Bae, should have done something to deserve his sentence. Dennis Rodman later conceded that he was under the influence of alcohol during the interview. Terry Chung, Kenneth Bae's sister found, back then, Dennis Rodman's reluctance to speak to the North Korean Leader appalling.

If denouement occurs, it could be a new mark of a benign but still germane progress toward the respect of human rights which international humanitarian and diplomatic organizations could chew on for a while.

It is worth noting that the 45 years old missionary and tour operator Kenneth Bae was arrested during a trip in the country on November 2012 and sentenced to 15 years' labor camp -the longest sentence for a US citizen since the Korean war- on allegations by the North Korean regime of proselytism and attempts to demean the state's domestic sovereignty.

The five-time NBA champion has been fustigated by Western states for having developed a controversial friendship with the 31 years old North Korean martinet whom he still considers as a little brother. The friendship has exasperated the American public opinion, which views North Korea as an outlaw state, which exacerbates international political tension especially with its neighboring state, South Korea.

North Korea threatened the latter with the building and pre-launching of WMDs -Weapons of Massive Destruction-, and blatantly flouted international norms on WMD and military supply arrangements. In addition, humanitarian organizations as well as the UN Human Rights Council have listed the country for violation of most human rights.

For Dennis Rodman's part, foreign affairs will neither be part of this friendship nor discussed in any case with the dictator. Yet, yesterday, speculations about the former Bulls player's possible diplomatic involvement in the case of Kenneth Bae have emerged when Dennis Rodman breached his own austere principle by willingly proffering to be exchanged for Kenneth Bae.

While Dennis Rodman's humanitarian offer may be perceived by the international public opinion as an alignment with Washington and international humanitarian organizations regarding abuses of the North Korean regime, the former Bulls player views it as a mere act of compassion and justice.

It is the first time that Dennis Rodman publicly gainsays Kim Jong-un's decision. This defiant declaration could polish up his image and bad boy reputation in the eyes of Americans, but could as well negatively affect his relationship with the Pyongyang regime.

For the time being, Dennis Rodman is undergoing rehabilitation for his addiction. He will shortly expatiate on his role, probably next week, during a press conference, which will be held in New York. A future participation of Dennis Rodman in the release of Kenneth Bae may foster Washington's expectation of using the former Bulls star player, who is the closest US contact to Kim Jong-un so far, as a liaison to smoothen a byzantine diplomatic relationship between both countries.