Bill Duffy Rumors
Bill Duffy to represent No. 1 pick candidate Chet Holmgren

WME Sports and BDA Sports today announced their NBA Draft class, headed up by potential No. 1 pick Chet Holmgren. The former Gonzaga star will be represented by BDA Sports Founder & CEO Bill Duffy.
But Ayton’s agents, Bill Duffy and Nima Namakian, strongly disagree and were adamant in multiple conversations with The Athletic on Tuesday that a max deal of any kind was never offered even informally. From beginning to end, they said, the organization’s unmistakable message from Sarver on down was that Ayton wasn’t viewed as worthy of a max deal. In response, Jones said, “They know that a three- or four-year max was not an (acceptable) option for them.”
James Jones: We know it’s important to us; it’s important to him that we continue to progress and we continue to develop and we win (a title). So when we talked about a focus this offseason, it was to continue to build this team. So for us, unfortunately, we are where we are (with Ayton). No agreement. We didn’t have real negotiations. You talk about conversations (with Ayton’s representatives, Bill Duffy and Nima ) — it was five-year, max extension like the other peers, the other former No. 1 picks, and that’s where the conversation started and ended. Anything less than a five-year max wasn’t something to be considered — not something to talk about. It’s evident. They talk about us having discussions on a three-year, four-year max (deals). Those are real.
Luka Doncic signs with WME Sports agency

WME Sports talent agency has signed Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and will represent the two-time All-Star in all areas, as the agency focuses on expanding his business portfolio. Doncic is represented on the court by Bill Duffy and Quique Villalobos at BDA Sports Management. “I’m excited,” Doncic said. “WME Sports has so much to offer, and I know they’re the perfect partner to help me achieve all of my goals off the court.”
Doncic’s reps are recent partners themselves. In December 2020, Endeavor, the parent company of WME Sports, acquired a stake in BDA Sports, which brought Duffy into the fold as an adviser for WME. Duffy continues to run BDA as its chairman and CEO. The agency represents more than 100 NBA, WNBA and international active and retired basketball athletes. Other players represented by both BDA (on-court) and WME Sports (off-court) include the WNBA’s Sabrina Ionescu and young NBA talent, including the Knicks’ RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes, the 2021 first-round draft pick of the Toronto Raptors.
Agent Rich Paul lands Zach LaVine

KC Johnson: Innovate Sports, BDA Sports and Zach LaVine sever ties, per sources.