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Klutch Sports strikes again. Reports have surfaced that Golden State Warriors big man Draymond Green is the latest NBA star who will be signing with the powerful agency that seems to be growing by the second.
Of course, unless you have been living under a rock for the better part of the last decade, you would know that LeBron James was the first notable client of the Rich Paul-led agency that broke ground in 2012. Other names who have followed suit are Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe. Throw Tristan Thompson in there, too.
In baseball, you have Scott Boras. In football, you have Drew Rosenhaus. Now, in basketball, it's Klutch.
So, just what makes Klutch Sports such a desirable avenue for NBA stars? It's a very young organization, after all, and it doesn't necessarily have a significant track record.
Well, here are a few methods Klutch employs to snare the biggest names in the sport:
3. Maverick Carter
By now, you probably know who Maverick Carter is, as he is LeBron's childhood friend who has been with him right from the beginning. Not only that, but Carter has served as James' business manager since 2006, helping him make a whole lot of decisions along the way.
What makes Carter such a draw is his business sense in general. There are a whole lot of ventures in which Carter has been involved throughout his career, linking up with LeBron to form Spring Hill Entertainment, which has produced content on Starz, NBC and Bleacher Report.
So, basically, if you want to get into show business, Carter can help you there.
While Paul is generally the main cog in negotiations for Klutch Sports, Carter works behind the scenes, helping clients with endorsement deals and investments that will make them richer off the court.
So, not only do you have Paul helping you get paid as a player, but you have Carter helping you make bank as a celebrity.
2. Investment group potential
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A lot of players in the league end up having aspirations of working in a front office or owning a team when they retire, and LeBron himself has said that he would have interest in owning a franchise when he hangs up his basketball sneakers.
Klutch Sports helps provide that potential, as it gives players the opportunity to eventually work with Klutch members as an investment group to buy a team or at least own part of one.
Heck, LeBron already has a partial stake in the famous European soccer team Liverpool F.C.
There are a lot of benefits to owning a team. Not only does it allow players to stay connected to the game they love, but it is has incredible potential that could pay significant dividends down the line.
Imagine, for example, LeBron and other Klutch members getting together to buy the Los Angeles Lakers 15 years from now. Of course, this is just speculation, but just picture the business opportunities that that type of venture would bring.
1. LeBron James
That brings us to the biggest draw of Klutch Sports: LeBron James himself.
If James were not a Klutch client, the organization probably would not even exist. He is Klutch Sports, and his history in the NBA coupled with his business acumen makes him a central figure in any player's decision to join the group.
You know that if you are a Klutch Sports client, LeBron is going to do what he can to take care of you. That means getting you the deal you want (look at the contract he got the aforementioned Thompson with the Cleveland Cavaliers). That means getting you where you want to go. That means getting you endorsement deals outside of the NBA.
Why do you think there was so much momentum toward Davis almost getting dealt to the Lakers before the deadline? LeBron.
James is not just a basketball player; he is a brand, and by linking up with him, you are not only furthering your NBA career, but you are putting yourself in a position to succeed after you retire.
A legitimate argument can be made that LeBron's skills on the court are not even his greatest asset anymore, as it seems like stars would prefer not to play with James these days, anyway. What makes him such a magnet is his business sense and the fame and the dollars that come with it.
Acting, producing, screen-writing, investing. You name it, and you can have it if you team up with LeBron, Paul and Carter.
