Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the subject of trade talks all season, especially after reports of his growing rift with the Milwaukee Bucks continue to surface. As talks around the league heat up, the conversation isn’t about packages, but instead, his representation, a detail that might reveal more about the forward’s future than any announcement could.

According to TrueHoop, Antetokounmpo was recently close to firing his long-time agent, Alex Saratsis, due to a failure to get him traded from the Bucks earlier this season. This is a big surprise, considering that the Greek Freak has had Saratsis since entering the league in 2013, which makes the potential split even more notable.

That’s where Rich Paul entered the picture. The CEO of Klutch Sports, according to the same report, has been communicating with Antetokounmpo’s elder brother and teammate Thanasis, and reactions from around the league have been mixed.

According to the TrueHoop report, two NBA sources explained that this kind of subterfuge between agents is normal, a “constant undertone of NBA life,” and not something to worry about. However, according to two others, there’s a possibility that Antetokounmpo might get rid of Saratkis. As of right now, Saratkis is still the forward’s agent.

This is where Paul’s involvement becomes important. Perhaps no other agent in the league has more influence than him, especially when it comes to aligning organizational responsibilities with players’ goals. His reputation is built on being able to use timing and leverage to his clients’ advantage.

For now, nothing has changed, with Antetokounmpo still a Buck with Saratsis at his side. However, if that position ever becomes unstable, teams will pay attention. Even now, there’s at least one franchise watching closely.

Why Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Representation Could Change the Los Angeles Lakers’ Future

Whenever a superstar becomes available, the Los Angeles Lakers are always listed as a potential suitor. However, the franchise looking to build around Luka Doncic landing Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t as unrealistic as it might sound if Rich Paul is his representation.

If Antetokounmpo becomes a Klutch Sports client, it could create a lot more leverage for him in terms of a landing spot in LA, considering Paul’s deep ties in LA. He is the agent of both former Lakers star Anthony Davis and is a longtime friend of superstar LeBron James. When stars sign with Klutch, LA isn’t an inevitability, but it also means that the Lakers are no longer outsiders to the conversation.

For the Bucks, this isn’t an imminent breakup, but a signal of movement beneath the surface. For the Lakers, it’s a representation of something more subtle, but just as important: If Antetokounmpo ever pushes for a new chapter elsewhere, the foundation shaping a move to LA might already be forming.

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Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined with a calf strain that is expected to keep him out to four to six weeks, and there was previous indication he was unsatisfied with Saratsis. After it was initially reported that he wanted to be traded, Antetokounmpo blamed his representation for making plans without consulting him.

Only time will tell how things end here, but everyone will be watching for the potential replacement.