Free Agents/Player Movement: Agents & Relationships

For all the speculation about what's gonna happen this offseason, it's interesting to note that once the dominoes start falling, it will be because agents are positioning themselves to put their clients in the best situation possible...obviously. What teams their stud players go to often is followed by how they bargain to place their marginal players in position to win as well. Lets take a look at some key relationships.

Jeff Schwartz
This guy will probably be amongst the first to know what's going on with free agency across the league. Mainly because he represents a few big name studs that are on the trading block (*or rumored to be) in Deron Williams, Kevin Love and Blake Griffin*. Any of those pieces getting moved would cause the biggest ripple effect. With that said, he also represents the majority of the serviceable free agent PGs in Shaun Livingston, Mario Chalmers, Jerryd Bayless and Devin Harris who he has incentive to place in positions to contend for a bargain OR maximize their earnings on non-contending teams. Next on his list are veteran free agents who have earned their last big pay day, but are still looking to contend in Paul Pierce, Emeka Okafor and Charlie Villanueva. He's already making moves with Aaron Afflalo, so his offseason will be busy.

Dan Fegan
Last year was Fegan's year, but from the standpoint of the Rockets, this guy is important. Not only does he represent Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons, he also represents pretty much everyone from the Timberwolves not named Kevin Love; JJ Barea, Corey Brewer, Kevin Martin and Ricky Rubio. So there's plenty of room for "collusion" there if there was any deal being discussed amongst the Rockets and Timberwolves.

Jim Tanner
Not much to see here other than the fact that after Tim Duncan retires, Jeremy Lin will be this agents flagship player . Tanner also represents Thaddeus Young (rumored to be traded) and free agents Ray Allen and Marvin Williams.

Rob Pelinka
This guy will probably be the last to know anything, mainly because his clients include a couple super starts locked into long term deals, and some pieces that will be last minute additions to teams once the big chips fall. He represents Kobe Bryant, James Harden, rumored to be amnestied Carlos Boozer and free agents Channing Frye and Chris Kaman.

Wisely and/or coincidentally, the big names on the free agency list for the most part are diversified amongst the agent community with only Lebron James and Eric Gordon sharing Rich Paul and Henry Thomas being in a tough spot representing both Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade as well as Udonis Haslem. Leon Rose for Carmelo Anthony and Andy Miller for Kyle Lowry.

5-6 agents negotiating with 30 NBA teams huh? It's no wonder information "leaks".

 

Thanks, I don't post often, but this was information I wanted to make sure people were aware off. Apologies to those that have already processed this info in their heads!

 

Definitely less relevant for top tier free agent signings, but more relevant for top players on the trading block like Kevin Love and Deron Williams. In particular the Dan Fegan angle for Houston/Minnesota could offer insight by way of leaked info that either throws us off or clearly indicates yay or nay on a possible deal.

 

The downside to that as we're seeing now is that every other team knows this as well Which is why it's telling that we weren't able to complete a sign and trade for say Love, DWill or Rondo. That cap space is gone as soon as (if!!) we sign Bosh, which is a big IF. If we strike out, there aren't many viable sign and trade options now that Parsons can't be included.

Enter Bill Duffy and BDA Sports Management (Rondo, Klay Thompson, Budinger, Noah, McRoberts, Darren Collison, Dragic, Jordan Hill, Andrew Wiggins) who was able to secure nice deals for Collison and McRoberts. Dan Fegan and Bill Duffy have MOST DEFINITELY had convos with Jeff Schwartz (as well as with each other regarding Rondo) concerning Kevin Love and/or Deron Williams. The whole Love to Cleveland (if Lebron is there) or Love to GSW situation will at best land us Thad Young (maybe Paul Pierce) if we strike out on Bosh

 

Ha! I think I know, but wouldn't wanna say, enjoy his insight too, too much.

 

Schwartz, Fegan and Duffy have all the leverage now...