HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jay-Z, the entertainer who started an athlete-representation firm in April, has been certified by the National Basketball Association players union to negotiate contracts, said Robert Gadson, the organization’s director of security and agent administration. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, met with Ron Klempner, the National Basketball Players Association’s acting executive director, and the organization’s legal staff, Gadson said in an interview today. Bloomberg

Jay-Z, Agents 

Liz Mullen: Jay-Z has been certified to represent NBA players in contract talks with clubs, Robert Gadson, NBPA Dir of Agent Administration confirmed. Twitter @SBJLizMullen

Jay-Z, Agents 

Liz Mullen: SBJ: Roc Nation Sports has inquired with NBPA about procedure for individuals to become certified to rep NBA players in contract talks. Twitter @SBJLizMullen

Jay-Z, NBPA, Agents, Roc Nation Sports 

Jay-Z announced that his next album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, will be out in July in a Samsung Galaxy ad during halftime of Sunday's NBA Finals game between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. The three-minute ad shows the rapper working in studio with producers Rick Rubin, Timberland, Pharrell Williams and Swizz Beatz, telling them, "We need to write new rules." Samsung Galaxy Smartphone users will be able to download an app June 24 that will allow the first 1 million users to unlock the Jay-Z's 12th album for free July 4 at 12:01 a.m., 72 hours ahead of release. USA Today Sports

Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Jay-Z, Agents, Showbusiness 

University of Kentucky center Nerlens Noel – a strong candidate to be chosen first overall in the June NBA draft – has hired co-agents to represent him: Frank Catapano and Andy Miller. Chris Driscoll, the head of Noel's management group, told Yahoo! Sports of the arrangement on Thursday. Yahoo! Sports

Draft, Andy Miller, Agents, Nerlens Noel, Frank Catapano 

Jason Lloyd: Agent Andy Miller confirms previous reports he will represent Nerlens Noel. Miller reps Mo Speights & Daniel Gibson, among many others Twitter @JasonLloydABJ

Draft, Andy Miller, Agents, Nerlens Noel 

Warriors coach Mark Jackson has dropped Steve Kauffman as an agent and joined forces with Arn Tellem. Golden State's general manager, Bob Myers, was a former agent in Tellem's agency. News-Herald

Golden State Warriors, Coaching, Mark Jackson, Arn Tellem, Agents, Steve Kauffman, Bob Myers 

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant has decided to cut ties with agent Rob Pelinka and go without representation, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. USA Today Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Agents 

"We are honored and blessed to have worked on behalf of Kevin, for a brief period of time," Pelinka said. "He is an amazing person and athlete, and we are proud of our work and service towards advancing his brand in a manner that reflects the mutual qualities we share with Kevin. We wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors." USA Today Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Agents 

Durant's contract runs through the 2015-16 season, so he has no immediate need for an agent. Durant could still go another direction with his plans, according to the person. This is the second agent change in the last two years for Durant, as he left longtime agent Aaron Goodwin in February 2012. His marketing profile was booming at that time, and he signed five-year, $85 million extension with the Thunder in the summer of 2010. USA Today Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder, Aaron Goodwin, Agents 

Liz Mullen: Kevin Durant is leaving Landmark Sports. Sources expect him to join Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, Agents, Rob Pelinka 

Adrian Wojnarowski: As SBJ reports, Kevin Durant left agent Rob Pelinka for Jay-Z's Roc Nation. "He doesn't want a traditional NBA agent anymore," source says. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, Agents, Rob Pelinka 

Adrian Wojnarowski: On Durant move to Roc Nation, source says: "KD wants Jay Z to handle his branding. He had a chance to be with his idol and couldn't say no." Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, Agents, Rob Pelinka 

Tim Bontemps: Thing people need to remember: these guys going to "Roc Nation Sports" are all actually going to CAA. The two partnered up. Twitter @TimBontemps

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, Agents 

Liz Mullen: Landmark Sports President, NBA agent Rob Pelinka: “We are honored & blessed to have worked on behalf of Kevin for a brief period of time." Twitter @SBJLizMullen

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Agents, Rob Pelinka 

Liz Mullen: Asked if Kevin Durant is joining Jay-Z's agency, a Roc Nation Sports spokesman told SBJ in a text: "No comment." Twitter @SBJLizMullen

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, Agents 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Jay Z and Roc Nation Sports is the third different agent Kevin Durant has had since joining the NBA. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, Agents 

Nets Daily: Still no word if JayZ has sold his #Nets stake but an agreement to rep Durant might indicate a deal is close. Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Jay-Z, Agents, Owners 

Ronald Tillery: Fyi: agent Warren LeGarie represents Hollins, Karl, Gentry and Joerger Twitter @CAGrizBlog

George Karl, Coaching, Warren LeGarie, Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry, Agents, David Joerger 

Last year the Kings weren't able to bring in some of the top prospects because they didn't want to play in Sacramento. This year, Geoff Petrie is trying to bring in the best talent he can for new coach Michael Malone, but agents know Petrie won't be drafting for the Kings and some are reluctant to send their clients to Sacramento for workouts. Word was Michigan point guard Trey Burke was scheduled to workout for the Kings this weekend but backed out. Other top prospects are in no hurry to workout when the ultimate decision maker hasn't been hired. Sulia

Sacramento Kings, Draft, Agents, Trey Burke, Workouts