NBA Analyst Blasts LeBron James and His Agency After Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Re-Signed with Lakers
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USA Today via Reuters
Sep 18, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) is congratulated by forward LeBron James (23) after making a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in game one of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James and Klutch Sports obviously share a very close relationship. Klutch Sports is run by Rich Paul, one of LeBron’s closest friends. James is their biggest client.
However, they represent a whole myriad of NBA stars. This obviously puts them in a difficult position while negotiating free agency deals for everyone. But no player has ever spoken ill against the agency, and they do usually operate in the best interests of the individual player.
However, this time around Skip Bayless is really upset with the way Klutch Sports talents have gone about their free agency move. He attacked the Lakers re-signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (despite having bird rights) and said that Klutch Sports and LeBron run the league.
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WHAT? KCP GOT 40 MIL TO STAY W/ LAKERS? I GUESS KLUTCH CLIENTS DON'T COUNT AGAINST THE LAKERS' CAP. IT'S THE LEBRON RULE. LET'S JUST GO AHEAD AND HAND LEBRON NEXT YEAR'S TROPHY. HE AND HIS AGENCY RUN THE LEAGUE NOW.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 22, 2020
It is typical of Bayless to react to things he doesn’t foresee like this. This is nothing new from Bayless. He attacked Rajon Rondo joining the Atlanta Hawks over the LA Clippers.
The Lakers have operated very cleverly and improved their team from last season, and Skip Bayless is upset about it.
LeBron James and Klutch Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Oct 6, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gives an interview after defeating the Miami Heat in game 4 of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
However, Bayless is correct in being concerned over Klutch Sports. In any sport, one powerful agent or agency can control a lot of the movements around the league.
But to say that they operate in only LeBron’s favor is a little asinine. Players wouldn’t sign with Klutch if there was an evident LeBron bias.
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Another thing, Klutch doesn’t even have the over-reaching control that many people assume. They have over 30 players under their books. These include Ben Simmons, Anthony Davis, John Wall, Montrezl Harrell, Trae Young, and others. Their growing portfolio is based around trust that is spreading through the league.
Every agency has a prized athlete, and it is easy to say that they are trying to do the star athlete any favors. The amount of individual choice players have is unprecedented in basketball. Agencies always work to help their client get whatever they want.
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