HoopsHype.com Rumors

Smith’s image took a further blow when his former friend, Rihanna, stated on her Instagram account that his playoff woes stemmed from his being “hung over.’’ Rihanna deleted the post after a request from CAA superagent Leon Rose, who represents Smith. New York Post

New York Knicks, Leon Rose, JR Smith, Agents, Rihanna 

J.R. Smith is expected to opt out of his contract and re-sign with the Knicks in a four-year deal starting at about $5 million because the Knicks own his early-Bird rights rules. New York Post

New York Knicks, Leon Rose, JR Smith, Agents, Chris Smith 

The Post has learned point guard Chris Smith, J.R. Smith’s brother who injured his knee during Knicks training camp, has fired his agent, Marc Cornstein, and will hire J.R.’s rep, CAA superagent Leon Rose, who also handles Carmelo Anthony. New York Post

New York Knicks, Leon Rose, JR Smith, Agents, Chris Smith 

Creative Artists Agency, one of the NBA’s leading representation outfits, is losing some of its players in the wake of LeBron James’ decision to sever ties last month. Denver Nuggets fourth-year point guard Ty Lawson is the latest client to leave CAA and agent Leon Rose, two league sources told ESPN.com. Lawson is expected to join agent Happy Walters. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Leon Rose, Agents, Ty Lawson, Happy Walters 

Sources close to the reigning third-time MVP and first-time champion confirmed reports that James has, in fact, parted ways with CAA and agent Leon Rose to branch out with longtime friend Rich Paul, who also is leaving CAA to form his own representation firm. The irony will not be lost on anyone that Paul's firm will be called "Klutch Sports Group," and will be based in Cleveland. CBSSports.com

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Leon Rose, Agents, Rich Paul 

The Sixers have had conversations with Williams, a shooting guard and the team's leading scorer last season. But at least four other teams are interested in Williams' services, according to his agent, Leon Rose. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Leon Rose, Louis Williams 

I figured that Leon Rose of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) was good for at least one of Kentucky’s talented underclassmen headed for the NBA. And I have heard from multiple sources that Rose has signed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who just finished an outstanding freshman season. businessinsider.com

Draft, Leon Rose, Agents, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Marc Berman: Great cast of celebs tonight led by Kate Upton but for some reason LeBron's and Carmelo's agent, Leon Rose, heads the list given to media. Twitter

New York Knicks, Leon Rose, Agents, Kate Upton 

Priority Sports & Entertainment has lost one of its basketball division employees. Aaron Mintz, a certified player-agent with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), has left the company and signed an employment agreement with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he will join other popular basketball agents that include Leon Rose, Henry Thomas, and Steven Heumann. Prior to Mintz joining CAA Basketball, the division already represented the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Tony Parker, Andrea Bargnani…need I go on? Sports Agent Blog

Leon Rose, Agents, Aaron Mintz 

I spoke to Mintz last night, and was blown away by the enthusiasm he displayed when discussing his new opportunity at CAA. “This is just an unbelievable opportunity for me,” said Mintz. “I couldn’t pass on it. It’s something that’s really exciting for me. I’m joining a great team. I couldn’t be more excited.” Mintz will remain in Los Angeles and work in CAA’s offices. Sports Agent Blog

Leon Rose, Agents, Aaron Mintz 

I reached out to Mark Bartelstein, CEO and Founder of Priority Sports for his comments regarding Mintz’s departure; however, he refused to comment at the moment. I have heard from credible sources that people at Priority Sports feel betrayed by Mintz’s actions. Sports Agent Blog

Leon Rose, Mark Bartelstein, Agents, Aaron Mintz 

Kevin Arnovitz: Clips presser - @Chris Paul : Big thanks for Leon Rose."W/o him, none of this would've happened...He fulfilled our dream." Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, Chris Paul, Leon Rose, Agents 

Mark Heisler: CHRIS BROUSSARD WHO KNOWS WHEREOF HE SPEAKS--ESP. W/LEON ROSE GUYS--SAYS CP3 WON'T EXTEND IN BOSTON: To me that means CP3 is thinking NY/LA Twitter

Boston Celtics, Leon Rose, Mark Heisler 

Hunter, though, has rival factions within his own house to contend with. He acknowledged in a Tuesday night interview with NBA TV that a fast-moving decertification push driven by agents and frustrated players -- most notably Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce -- has "close to" 200 players in the process of signing a petition that would call for a decertification vote. The movement, sources said, has grown to include more than the original seven agents (Mark Bartelstein, Bill Duffy, Dan Fegan, Leon Rose, Jeff Schwartz, Arn Tellem and Henry Thomas) who have been advocating decertification for months. "I think you'd be surprised how big it's gotten," said one source, who added that "the wheels are in motion" and that signatures are already "coming in pretty quickly." ESPN.com

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

Sources within seven of the most prominent agencies – including the agents and players themselves – said they have overwhelming support to march toward dissolving the union. The agents are selling decertification to the players as a leverage tool to get a deal done to salvage the season, as much as a long-term threat to take the owners to federal court with an antitrust lawsuit. Agents working on the decertification include Mark Bartelstein, Arn Tellem, Jeff Schwartz, Bill Duffy, Leon Rose, Henry Thomas and Dan Fegan. Yahoo! Sports

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

If a new labor deal was not completed within that 45-day span and a second vote is sanctioned by the NLRB, decertification would then require a simple majority vote of the league's 450-odd players to pass. At that point, players would have the freedom to sue the NBA under antitrust law and attempt to bring an end to the lockout via court system. Yet there are widespread fears around the league that, if decertification gets that far, any hope of playing even a reduced schedule in 2011-12 would be lost. The so-called "Big Seven" agents who pushed for decertification throughout the summer -- Mark Bartelstein, Bill Duffy, Dan Fegan, Leon Rose, Jeff Schwartz, Arn Tellem and Henry Thomas -- have long believed that the league's desire to keep this labor battle out of courts via the decertification process would force Stern and the union's owners to bargain more fairly during the 45-day "grace" period. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher, CBA, Leon Rose, Dan Fegan, Mark Bartelstein, Henry Thomas, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Arn Tellem, Jeff Schwartz, Agents, Bill Duffy 

The seven agents who sent NBA players a "warning letter" on Monday held a conference call Wednesday afternoon to discuss their next move in the league's lockout, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Those agents -- Arn Tellum, Bill Duffy, Dan Fegan, Jeff Schwartz, Leon Rose, Henry Thomas and Mark Bartelstein -- had been strong behind-the-scenes advocates of decertification for the Players Association but, according to the source, now believe that the time to do so has passed. The letter, which was first reported by ESPN's Ric Bucher, has been widely viewed by players and others around the league as anti-union. ESPN.com

CBA, Leon Rose, Dan Fegan, Mark Bartelstein, Henry Thomas, Lockout, NBPA, Jeff Schwartz, Agents, Bill Duffy 

Richard Hamilton: "Source says Rip Hamilton told his agent Leon Rose he's upset Rose participated in letter." 100% UNTRUE. Never happened. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Richard Hamilton, CBA, Leon Rose, Lockout, NBPA, Agents 

While the agents have been vocal about their desire for decertification, most of the players who have spoken publicly have been supportive of the union and of the job Hunter is doing. Chauncey Billups said a few weeks ago that if his agent, Andy Miller, were pushing for decertification that he would sever their working relationship. And sources say Richard Hamilton, Billups' former backcourt mate in Detroit, is just as pro-union as Billups. Hamilton told his agent, Leon Rose, that he is upset about Rose's participation in the letter and that he will leave him and take other players with him if Rose doesn't divorce himself from the anti-union agent group, according to a source. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Richard Hamilton, CBA, Leon Rose, Chauncey Billups, Lockout, NBPA, Agents 

Chris Broussard: Source says Rip Hamilton told his agent Leon Rose he's upset Rose participated in letter, which is perceived by many as anti-union. Source adds that Rip told Rose he'll leave & take other players with him if Rose doesn't leave the "anti-union" group. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Richard Hamilton, CBA, Leon Rose, Chauncey Billups, Lockout, NBPA, Agents