HoopsHype.com Rumors

Sam Amick: He was, the agent says, a key power player in relationship between William Wesley and Rose that has led to much of CAA's recent growth. Twitter

William Wesley, Leon Rose, Dan Fegan, Mark Bartelstein, Henry Thomas, Lockout, Arn Tellem, Jeff Schwartz, Agents, Bill Duffy 

Sources say the letter, a copy of which was obtained from a player who received it, was jointly composed by Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group; Bill Duffy of BDA Sports; Dan Fegan of Lagardere Unlimited; Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management; Leon Rose and Henry Thomas of Creative Artists Agency; and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports and Entertainment. ESPN.com

CBA, Leon Rose, Dan Fegan, Mark Bartelstein, Henry Thomas, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Arn Tellem, Jeff Schwartz, Agents, Bill Duffy 

And the NBA is on the clock. The start of the upcoming season will be in jeopardy if the league doesn't reach a labor deal soon. "It seems like the sides are really far apart," said Bill Duffy, one of the NBA's power agents. "If they don't move quickly to close the gap, we might not have a full season. And if it goes on too much longer, this has the potential to really blow up." Contra Costa Times

CBA, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Bill Duffy 

According to the story, agent Bill Duffy was reportedly questioning the union's strategy -- or perceived lack thereof -- during an August meeting in Los Angeles when vice president/free agent guard Maurice Evans interrupted and cursed at Duffy while defending Hunter. It's a role Evans has grown accustomed to, as he did a similar deed in late June when free agent forward Shane Battier suggested during a union meeting that Hunter follow the lead of NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith and forgo his salary during the lockout. SI.com

CBA, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Shane Battier, Maurice Evans, Bill Duffy 

After listening to Players Association executive director Billy Hunter and the executive committee players at an informational meeting in Los Angeles in August, witnesses described agent Bill Duffy probing union officials on labor talks with the NBA. Duffy was rational and reasoned, asking tough, fair questions, witnesses said. Only, the answers weren’t clear to Duffy, nor many of the agents in the conference room at the Beverly Hilton. Finally, Duffy lamented that the meeting was ending and the union’s strategy to combat ownership in the collective bargaining talks was still hazy to him. What are we doing here? Yahoo! Sports

CBA, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Bill Duffy 

This was when NBPA tempers flared, witnesses said, and union vice president Maurice Evans let loose on the agent – and indirectly – the dozens more in the room. Tension had been building between agents and union officials, and Evans offered a window into the union’s frustration with the challenges and second-guessing from agents. “Evans went on and on about how the agents always want to tell [the union] what to do but don’t have any suggestions on how to make things better. Then Duffy would start to explain in a calm manner what he meant, and Evans kept interrupting him, cursing…” “Just a mess,” another agent in the room said. Yahoo! Sports

CBA, Lockout, NBPA, Maurice Evans, Bill Duffy 

Andris Biedrins' agent said Saturday that conflicting reports of the Warriors' center signing with different European teams were erroneous, but Biedrins will explore overseas options next month. "I think (Biedrins) would be open to playing overseas on a temporary or a long-term basis if the (NBA) lockout continues, but we've got to get him some insurance to protect his (NBA) contract," agent Bill Duffy said. "He's on a training regimen, and he usually takes it to another level at this time. In 20 to 30 days, he'll be 100 percent conditioned." San Francisco Chronicle

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Bill Duffy 

Golden State considered trading the big man during June's draft. Instead, they opted to trust in a mental and physical rehabilitation plan designed to rediscover the automatic double-double guy of years past. "There were serious talks, because I think some in the Warriors' front office were compelled to move him," Duffy said. "Others wanted to stick with him, because, when you look around, what are you trading for? If he puts everything together, he's probably a top-eight center. Are you going to get back that value?" San Francisco Chronicle

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Bill Duffy 

Andris Biedrins' agent said Saturday that reports on the Warriors' center signing with different European teams were erroneous, but that Biedrins will explore overseas options next month. "I think (Biedrins) would be open to playing overseas on a temporary or a long-term basis if the (NBA) lockout continues, but we've got to get him some insurance to protect his (NBA) contract," Bill Duffy said. "He's on a training regimen, and he usually takes it to another level at this time. In 20 to 30 days, he'll be 100 percent conditioned." San Francisco Chronicle

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Bill Duffy 

Biedrins is training in Latvia, so he can be with his fiancee and their newborn son. Duffy's firm, BDA Sports Management, has overseen the rehab. "The Warriors were right when they said that the onus is on us to get him back, and I'm encouraged for him more than I ever have been," Duffy said. "He's comfortable, he's mature and he's acknowledging what he has to do. "He's a competitor, he wants to win, and he doesn't want to be in any other NBA organization than the Warriors right now." San Francisco Chronicle

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Bill Duffy 

Marc Stein: More from agent Bill Duffy on Warriors' Biedrins: "We will likely visit the prospects of him signing in Europe in September." Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Bill Duffy 

Marc Stein: Reported to have signed w/VEF Riga in his native Latvia AND Anadolu Efes in Turkey, Andris Biedrins has signed w/NEITHER, says his agent. Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Turkey, Bill Duffy, Latvia, Anadolu Efes, VEF Riga 

Marc Stein: Agent Bill Duffy: "We are not closing door on Andris playing in Europe. (But) reports of him signing in Latvia and Turkey are erroneous." Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, Lockout, Turkey, Bill Duffy, Latvia, Anadolu Efes, VEF Riga 

Bill Duffy, the agent for Pistons free-agent forward Tayshaun Prince, said he was contacted by Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars before the July 1 lockout to say he was interested in re-signing the veteran. When and if there is a season this year, Duffy said the league most likely would have to restructure its free-agent signing period so players like Prince could either find a new home or return to the teams they played for last year. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars, Tayshaun Prince, Bill Duffy 

"Once the new structure is set in place, are the teams that are interested in him now still going to be interested? Yes," Duffy said. "Will Detroit probably want to re-sign him? Yes. One thing that the league is proposing is some type of phase-in. You won't see the immediate impact where it would be rigid. If the league were victorious, which we're obviously against, I think it will be a condensed free-agent period and guys like Tayshaun will still be high on people's list. "I would expect teams to call the first day. Usually, you would see a two- or three-week period of free-agency. Even if the lockout lasts until November or December, you still have to have free agency. You have to allow time for guys to sign with other teams, or allow time to go through that process." Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars, Tayshaun Prince, Bill Duffy 

Sam Amick: Sources close to Detroit small forward Austin Daye say he is no longer with agent Bill Duffy but has yet to pick a new representative. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Austin Daye, Bill Duffy 

Vincent Goodwill: A source close to the #Pistons Austin Daye confirms Daye's leaving Bill Duffy and BDA...didn't indicate Daye's next move Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Austin Daye, Bill Duffy 

Liz Mullen: Talked to powerful NBA player agent Bill Duffy. He isn't waiting for NBA lockout to end. He's working on sending clients to Europe to play. Twitter

Lockout, Europe, Bill Duffy 

Liz Mullen: NBA player agent Bill Duffy working on deals to send younger player clients to play in Europe because of NBA lockout Twitter

Lockout, Europe, Bill Duffy 

On Thursday, I had a chance to speak with a few longtime NBA agents about the lockout and came away with a bleaker outlook for the proceedings, which threaten to wipe out the entire 2011-12 season. Bill Duffy, the head of BDA Sports, which represents Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Jennings, and Wizards first-round choice Chris Singleton, said he doesn’t expect much to get accomplished as it relates to negotiations in the next few weeks or months. “I certainly don’t feel like there is any super urgency. I really don’t know what’s going to be accomplished between now and maybe three weeks to a month before training camp,” Duffy said. “It’s like the Democrats and Republicans trying to figure out the federal deficit, polar extreme opposites. It’s the power and the will of each party. It’s kind of an untenable situation, for both parties, it appears. Everyone’s perspective is at an extreme. I don’t think ours is extreme because we have a current model that’s kind of restrictive, if you can ask an agent. But league, obviously, is trying to impose their will.” Washington Post

CBA, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Bill Duffy