NBA Rumor: Agent Changes

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1 year ago – via Marcus Thompson II, Darnell Mayberry, Marcus Thompson II and Darnell Mayberry @ The Athletic

And part of that is attributable to the big brother LaVine gained in Tokyo. He even switched his representation to Klutch Sports Group, the same agency that represents Green, after winning a gold medal. “I talk to him about a lot of things,” LaVine said. “Life skills. Upbringing. I made the decision to go with Klutch and with Rich (Paul), and he was with them. And I think that helped guide me a little bit to help me figure out what I wanted to do and me making my own decision at the end of the day.”
1 year ago – via wojespn

Excel Sports: Attorney Rick Shapiro and NBA agent Michael Tellem join Excel. Shapiro will act as a senior advisor for our baseball division and Tellem will join to lead international basketball recruiting. #exceling. Adrian Wojnarowski: NBA agent Michael Tellem joins Excel Sports. He represents two of the top 11 players in ESPN’s Top 100 for the 2022 NBA Draft: Yannick Nzosa of Unicaja Malaga and Ousmane Dieng of the NZ Breakers.
1 year ago – via Brian Windhorst @ ESPN

After not getting a new contract, LaVine left his old agents and signed with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports after the Olympics. The move drew attention and speculation on LaVine’s plans, though Paul has a history of negotiating long-term extensions to stay with teams in addition to helping star players force their way out of places. “For me, it was more of a leadership part where I needed to go and align myself with a brand I really wanted to be with,” LaVine said of the move. “I just wanted to continue to grow my brand and Klutch aligned with me perfectly. I can’t account for what other people’s opinions might be. I made this decision for me and my family moving forward.”
2 years ago – via ZachLaVine

Zach LaVine announces he's joining Klutch Sports

2 years ago – via Apple Podcasts

Isaiah Thomas: Yes, I hired Bernie Lee. You know, that was a tough decision for me because Excel has been everything for me the last five years, they’ve been more of a family to me. And Sam Goldfeder is somebody that I have so much respect for. I just felt like I needed new energy. And I needed something new. So it was mutually agreed on that we parted ways and there’s no hard or bad feelings towards what that group has done for me and how they worked for me the last five years, so I can’t thank them enough.
2 years ago – via AlexKennedyNBA

Nerlens Noel looking for new agent

Alex Kennedy: Nerlens Noel told http://BasketballNews.com that he has terminated his relationship with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, and he’s currently looking for a new agent. Noel signed a one-year deal with the New York Knicks this offseason. Rich Paul and Klutch Sports maintain that they amicably parted ways with Nerlens Noel. The NBPA confirmed that the relationship is terminated, but wouldn’t divulge who filed the paperwork.
2 years ago – via Marc Berman @ New York Post

A source said Robinson’s trainer, Marcel Scott, is close to Foucher, who has eyed Robinson for more than a year. Robinson’s reputation is intriguing because he signed an unorthodox contract after being drafted in the second round — a modest, four-year deal filled with team options. He is under contract for next season but it’s a team option that would pay just $1.8 million. The Knicks, if they are still convinced Robinson is their center of the future, can do the right thing and give him an extension or just rip up the final year. “It is [frustrating],’’ Robinson said about switching reps so often. “Not having an agent, it is. But it’s like a thing where you learn and you learn until you get the right one. So that’s basically what I’m doing until I get the one that’s really down for me. It’s a lesson.’’
2 years ago – via Jacob Rude @ Lonzo Wire

On Sunday’s episode of “Ball in the Family,” Ball discussed the decision to join Klutch and Rich Paul at length, including discussing his desires to grow his profile off the court. Here’s a full transcript of the three segments in which Ball talks about his move, the middle of which comes in a conversation with girlfriend Denise Garcia: “I think signing with Klutch was a good step for me just because I got make that decision 100% myself. I think Rich (Paul) has a ton of influence, so I’m definitely (with) my career in his hands.”
3 years ago – via Malika Andrews @ ESPN

Lonzo Ball signs with Klutch

Three years into his NBA career, New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball views this as a pivotal offseason, which began with an important business decision: Ball has signed with agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, the 22-year-old told ESPN. “I wanted to lead my career,” Ball told ESPN. “Picking my own representation — just solely as my decision — was step one in that process. For me, it was an easy call, and it was the right time to make that call.”
3 years ago – via Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

Older agents can sell players on their experience and a client list and several big contract signings as proof of their work compared to younger agents seeking their first big deal. “For me, I think what’s used against me is that I’m inexperienced, so I don’t really have the experience or the power, which is I think a bunch of b——- at the end of the day,” one agent told HoopsHype. “I don’t think that’s a real thing. I think it comes into play a little bit. Relationships are important, but at the end of the day, I still think talent is really what sets the mark. I mean, me and you could be LeBron James‘ agent, he’s going to get a max contract.”
3 years ago – via Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

Usually, the first sense an agent has the relationship with a client is nearing the end is when the player doesn’t return phone calls or text messages. “By the time they get to the phone, you could tell when someone calls you if they have the balls, most of the time they don’t, it’s by text,” one veteran agent told HoopsHype. “You know, it’s really an empty veil. It’s like a breakup by text with a girl you know or divorcing someone by sending them a letter or an email. It’s like thanks for your service, but I decided to move on. Very rarely do you get the reason why.”
3 years ago – via Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

While some agents felt their termination was coming, most of the agents expressed shock when terminated. “I talked to an agent once out of New York who said, “S— my guy was toasting me at my wedding, and a week later, I got a FedEx package,” one longtime player rep told HoopsHype. Another agent was preparing to negotiate a deal for his client on July 1. This agent saw the FedEx truck showing up at his cul de sac on June 15th. At that moment, the agent knew without opening the envelope that he’d been fired and would lose a large commission.
3 years ago – via Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

Third, the bad blood between the two parties can boil over into a heated confrontation and bitterness for years to come. “I think in the beginning of my career I probably lost my cool one time with one guy,” an agent with a handful of years as a certified agent told HoopsHype. “We exchanged some words and kind of got into it where he was like threatening me.” Many times before games, a former agent and client will look at each other and turn away immediately or say hello briefly and carry on. Generally, the tension can be felt by those around both people.
3 years ago – via Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

Whether it’s a family member, manager, trainer, former coach, close friend, teammate, or someone else in a player’s inner circle, there’s usually an angle for an intermediary to push for a change in representation. “Everyone’s incentivized when people switch,” one prominent agent told HoopsHype. “Somebody’s getting paid, like 99 (percent) someone’s getting taken care of in the next contract, or somebody’s getting paid when there’s an intermediary involved. Sometimes, players grow up, and they start to figure things out, and then they don’t use an intermediary. They learn enough, they talk to some veterans that they respect, who have a good reputation. They say, ‘I’m going to find someone for me, not who my dad wanted or, or my AAU coach wanted or whoever. I want to make my own decision.’”
3 years ago – via Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

“They (sneaker reps) have relationships with the players at a different angle, and they’re trying to push players with an agenda whether it’s for kickbacks, which I assume it is, or it’s for another reason, I don’t know, but they don’t play neutral,” one agent who has negotiated maximum-salary contracts and large endorsement deals told HoopsHype. “Then you’ve got the managers, and then you got the trainers. If you don’t sync up everybody onto your page and everyone’s biting out of your pocket, you’re going to lose a guy. You have to insulate the player to anyone that has any influence, and people that you don’t know have an influence, you have to be aware of as well. It’s a never-ending cycle. I remember one time, there was a tailor, like a clothier, who had influence over players who was pushing them to an agent for a kickback.”
3 years ago – via Michael Scotto @ HoopsHype

The battle between agents for a client and a hefty commission can get heated if any of these scenarios occur, and a poaching attempt is provable. “You have to get in the agent’s face and say, ‘Stay out of my yard,’” an agent told HoopsHype. “Then, you have to write them a law letter claiming tortious interference. Send them a very strong letter to say I’m not going to tolerate this, and you have to police it yourself. You either move the needle that way or the person is criminal, he doesn’t give a s— anyway, he does it anyway, and then you’ve got a battle on your hands.”
3 years ago – via Chris Kirschner @ The Athletic

“I would ask those fans who are fans of Trae or Atlanta fans to just look at his history. He knows this is a team effort, but he wants to have that statue next to Dominique (Wilkins) one day, man. I’ve told you this before, my son is 6-foot-1, but he thinks he’s the best player on the court no matter if LeBron is on the floor with him. Hopefully, it never backfires on him, but he’s got big balls and is very confident. He just knows what he wants to accomplish. I never think my son is going to join a super team unless they all come to Atlanta. He’s just got too much pride to do that. Maybe that pride will backfire, but who knows. My son has seen it happen here in Oklahoma City with (Kevin Durant). He wasn’t one of those who called him a cupcake, but he’s seen the backlash of something like that happen.” Young’s contract with Klutch is expected to become official Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, Young was on a conference call with Adidas, one of his main sponsors, brainstorming how he and the company can help black-owned businesses in Atlanta.
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March 20, 2023 | 11:41 am EDT Update

Shaquille O'Neal undergoes hip surgery

Shaquille O’Neal sparked concern after sharing a photo of himself in a hospital bed on Sunday … but TMZ Sports has learned the NBA legend simply needed to fix a nagging injury, and he’s now doing OK. Our sources tell us the 51-year-old went under the knife over the weekend to have an issue with his hip corrected — and everything went according to plan. We’re told he’s already on the mend.
12 seconds ago – via TMZ Staff @ TMZ.com

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March 20, 2023 | 11:35 am EDT Update

Both Lakers and Austin Reaves interested in re-signing

Austin Reaves’ surge is setting him up for a fascinating offseason. He will be a restricted free agent this summer, and will undoubtedly have multiple suitors looking to pry him from the Lakers — especially after stat lines like Sunday’s. Both the Lakers and Reaves’ camp have interest in Reaves re-signing in Los Angeles, according to multiple league sources who were granted anonymity so that they coud speak freely. The max the Lakers can offer Reaves is a four-year, $50.8 million contract if they chose to use his Early Bird Rights, but they also have the power to match any contract he signs with another team.
6 mins ago – via The Athletic

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The coming weeks will ultimately determine how the situation plays out. The Lakers have 10 regular-season games remaining, and possibly some postseason games as well. In the meantime, Reaves is thriving as his role expands and his confidence grows down the stretch of this season. “It’s special,” Reaves said of playing for the Lakers. “I mean, I grew up a Lakers fan. To do it for this organization, especially, is surreal. Sometimes I gotta stop and really think about what I am doing. … All I’m really happy about is the win.”
6 mins ago – via Jovan Buha @ The Athletic

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NBA Communications: Tonight, the Philadelphia 76ers can become the third team from the Eastern Conference to clinch a spot in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The 76ers host the Chicago Bulls at 7 p.m. ET on the NBA App. Clinch scenario ⬇️

6 mins ago – via Twitter

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Temple University interested in hiring Sam Cassell as head coach

Michael Scotto: 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell has drawn interest from Temple University for its head coaching job, @hoopshype has learned. At this time, however, Cassell is focused on helping the Sixers compete for a championship. Cassell has interviewed for NBA head coaching jobs in the past and is in his 14th season as an assistant coach. He also works closely with Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia.
6 mins ago – via MikeAScotto

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