Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine is reportedly closing in on signing with Klutch Sports Group as his representation. For what it's worth, the agency is founded by Rich Paul and manages several NBA stars like Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.
KC Johnson of NBC Sports first broke the news, noting that LaVine is expected to sign with Klutch Sports. The timing of the rumored move is interesting since LaVine is set to have his contract extension talks with the Bulls. As Joe Cowley of Chicago Sun-Times noted, the ideal scenario for Chicago is to extend him now for $105 million over four years–which is definitely below his current market value–or let his contract expire after 2021-22 and renegotiate a deal that could be worth up to $235 million over five years.
Zach LaVine is expected to sign with Klutch Sports Group, according to a league source.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 28, 2021
Of course hiring Klutch Sports makes sense for Zach LaVine. After all, it is Paul and his agency who paved the way for Lonzo Ball to get a four-year, $85 million deal with the Bulls this offseason. Given the LaVine is fresh from his first All-Star season and has established himself as a max player, he is certainly set for a more significant payday.
It remains to be seen how the negotiation for LaVine's extension will pan out, though his alleged plan to join Paul has been met with some criticisms. The Klutch CEO has been on the headlines recently after Nerlens Noel sued him for allegedly failing to represent the big man properly.
According to the lawsuit, Noel is blaming Paul and Klutch Sports for a massive loss in income. Apparently it was Paul who allegedly advised Nerlens to reject the four-year, $70 million offer from the Dallas Mavericks in 2017 after saying he was “100 million man.”
LaVine's situation is different, of course, as he has already proven himself to be a legitimate franchise player for the Bulls. However, the recent issue with Paul and Klutch Sports could be a cause for concern.
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