So you think you want to be an NBA Agent? Wondering what it would take to be successful in the agent's world to have a long, lasting career?

There are two sides to being an NBA agent that are essential to making sure you get business and stay in business.

One is the basketball relationship side, being able to relate to clients and the different situations they face as players. You have to be able to have functional conversations about basketball and the situations players face while being a part of the game. You can't represent players well if you can't relate to them.

How they should handle situations is one thing, but also having their best interest represented is another. To do this, you have to understand the business aspect of the association, know the CBA front and back, know their value on the market, and how that should be best used for the client's best interests.

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This doesn't mean just being able to give numbers, but how particular numbers directly relate to them in a clear manner. There are many things on this side to take into account, especially when negotiating with general managers for a palatable resolve. GMs look for an agent with knowledge, integrity, and someone who understands the league before determining their reputation.

On the other side is player management. Clients need guidance to get through their careers, allowing them to enjoy the highest levels of success possible. Whether a player finds himself in a compromising situation or in a position receiving favorable compensation, the agent has to be prepared and have foresight on how to navigate through situations to lead to realistic outcomes that favor their clients as much as possible.

It's been said that the best teacher is experience, and that lies true even in the agent world. Many of the intracies of these things only come with experience, but ultimately, the driving force of what an agent does should be to enhance their clients lives, one case at a time.