It is not often a player switching agents is a gigantic deal, but then again it is not often the best player in basketball leaves the most powerful agency in sports for one of his best friends.
However, that is just what happened Wednesday when the Sports Buisness Journal reported LeBron James informed agent Leon Rose that he would be leaving Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for his long time friend Rich Paul's Klutch Sports Group (h/t to Brian Windhorst).
It is more of a new partnership than a breakup, sources said, as James is not making the move because of any hard feelings with Rose or his longtime partner William "Wes" Wesley. Paul only has been an agent for a few years, working under Rose at CAA, but quickly has earned the respect of league executives and owners."
Windhorst's report also states that while at CAA, Paul was already representing Cleveland Cavaliers' forward Tristan Thompson, Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe, Charlotte Bobcats guard Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph.
While players changing agents is not uncommon, this is a big deal because CAA was widely looked at as the premier agency in NBA circles. They were reportedly instrumental in helping orchestrate James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all teaming up in Miami.
Windhorst, as well as Yahoo!'s Marc Spears hinted that this could be the beginning of a shift in power agencies since it was James who heavily recruited Chris Paul to CAA and Paul's impending free agency will mean big money to whoever represents him come next summer.
Photo: Bossip
