Dan Fegan To Join Relativity Sports
Powerful agent Dan Fegan is set to join Relativity Sports and serve as president of the firm's basketball division, according to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal. Fegan will bring his 40 NBA clients, including Dwight Howard, Shawn Marion, and John Wall while reporting to the company’s COO head many in charge of sports, Happy Walters.
Fegan's 40 clients in addition to Walters' twelve means that Relativity is now one of the largest basketball practices in the United States. The partnership comes just five months after Fegan left Lagardère Unlimited, and sources said Fegan and Lagardère have settled all of the issues between them, including future fees. Walters already represents notable NBA players such as Amare Stoudemire, Ty Lawson, and Corey Brewer.
A few agencies represent the majority of the NBA's 450 players, and this move solidifies that trend. Relativity now joins agencies like CAA Sports, Wasserman Media Group, Priority Sports & Entertainment, BDA Sports, and Excel Sports Management in the exclusive club of NBA power agencies.
We first heard word of a partnership between Fegan and Walters back in September.
Odds & Ends: Jazz, Millsap, Marion, Andersen, MJ
Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..
- Between Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, the Jazz are more likely to deal Millsap, several opposing team executives tell Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (on Sulia). The consensus is that Utah can’t afford to keep both with Gordon Hayward soon to be eligible for an extension and the belief that he is in the team’s long-term plans.
- If Shawn Marion’s deal was expiring at season’s end, we would be hearing trade speculation about him on a daily basis, writes Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Marion has attracted attention because of his strong play as of late, but his $9.3MM player option for next season is something of a deterrent.
- Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) likes what Chris Andersen has brought to the Heat and believes that he has fixed the club’s only glaring weakness. The Heat signed Birdman for the remainder of the season late last week.
- Lakers forward Antawn Jamison believes that Michael Jordan could still play at the age of 50 if he was on the right team alongside the likes of a LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Smith, Celtics, Sixers, Turner
Earlier tonight, we learned that things are heating up between the Nets and the Hawks as Brooklyn eyes forward Josh Smith. The Nets may not have all the assets to get a deal done, however, and it may behoove them to get a third team involved in the trade talks. Brooklyn would reportedly part ways with Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks to bring the high-flyer further up the east coast, but it's going to take more than that to make the Hawks release him from their talons. The Hawks almost certainly would like to trade Smith rather than lose him for nothing this summer, but they can find plenty of suitors around the league. Here's more on the Nets and the rest of the Atlantic..
- Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov must really not care about luxury tax penalties if he is willing to take on another max deal in Smith on top of an already expensive roster, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Prokhorov has made it clear that winning is his top priority and with the highest net worth of any owner in the league, he has the resources to make that a reality.
- In a deal slightly less glamorous than the rumored Smith swap, the Nets' D-League affiliate (Springfield Armor) sent power forward James Mays to the Celtics' affiliate (Maine Red Claws) for swingman Kris Joseph, a source tells Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. Both players were in camp with the respective NBA clubs and Joseph was said to impress over the summer.
- John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer warns Sixers fans not to hold their breath on an Evan Turner trade. Turner is allegedly on the block as Philly considers a shakeup.
Nets Making Serious Push For Josh Smith
9:05pm: While the two teams are engaged in discussions, nothing is close yet, a source tells Broussard. The Nets are willing to give up Kris Humphries and guard MarShon Brooks for Smith, but it almost certainly will take more to make it happen and one source said the Hawks want a first-round pick.
Broussard writes that some scenarios that have been discussed include re-acquiring Anthony Morrow, but that would not be possible. A player cannot be traded back to a team within one year of that team trading him away, according to the CBA.
The Hawks also reportedly want a young center in return for Smith so the Nets may have to get a third team involved.
7:52pm: The Nets are going hard after Hawks forward Josh Smith, sources tell Chris Broussard of ESPN (on Twitter). While General Manager Billy King & Co. have also discussed a deal for Bobcats guard Ben Gordon, Smith is the bigger priority at the moment.
Earlier today, a report suggested that the Hawks aren't actively shopping Smith, despite the whirlwind of trade talk surrounding him. Meanwhile, Broussard handicapped the odds of Smith being shipped out of Atlanta at 60% earlier this week. It makes sense that the Hawks would explore a deal as they met with the 27-year-old's representatives this week and let them know that they're not interested in signing him to the max deal that he is seeking.
If General Manager Danny Ferry can take Smith off of the books, then he could potentially have room for two max deal players this summer. That prospect combined with the return that Smith could net would seem to make him one of the stronger trade candidates as we approach the deadline. The Suns, Rockets, and Bobcats have been said to have interest in acquiring Smith while the forward would like a trade to the Mavericks or Grizzlies if he had his way.
Week In Review: 2/4/13 – 2/10/13
Things are heating up rapidly as we enter the trade deadline and we’re already seeing some big names in trade rumors. Let’s recap the week that was and look at the players to keep an eye on as we march towards All-Star weekend.
- The Hawks are entertaining trade offers for Josh Smith as they don’t intend to offer the forward a max deal this summer. The Nets are among several interested teams.
- The Bulls are looking into a potential trade with the Raptors that would send Carlos Boozer to Toronto in exchange for Andrea Bargnani. The talks happened over a week ago and aren’t currently active, but could be revisited by the Raps and could expand to include Nate Robinson and John Lucas III.
- The Hornets are willing to engage in talks for guard Eric Gordon. However, any deal this season would require Gordon’s approval, and no discussions about where he may want to go have taken place between him and the team.
- The Nets and Bobcats have engaged in discussions about a deal that would send Ben Gordon to Brooklyn and Kris Humphries to Charlotte. However, it’s on the backburner for now.
- The Suns are pursuing Iman Shumpert but Knicks coach Mike Woodson downplayed the talk. Meanwhile, the Knicks are said to be eyeing Jared Dudley.
- Zach Randolph was told by the Grizzlies that he’ll be staying put. Meanwhile, Memphis has discussed pursuing Courtney Lee.
- The Warriors are rebuffing offers for Harrison Barnes.
- Paul Pierce doesn’t want to be a part of a rebuilding effort in Boston.
- The Spurs are the frontrunners for Al Jefferson.
- The T’Wolves are shopping Luke Ridnour.
- The Cavs are preparing a two-year offer for Greg Oden that would include a third-year team option for 2014/15.
- The Heat signed Chris Andersen for the rest of the year as well as Jarvis Varnado.
- The Bulls and Pacers are after J.J. Redick and the Bucks are thinking about making a run.
- Donnie Nelson says that the Mavs are unlikely to make a trade.
- The Nuggets don’t plan to trade Andre Miller. They like Kevin Garnett, but KG isn’t wild about going to them.
- Randy Foye wants to stay with Utah long term.
- The Bucks were said to be shopping Samuel Dalembert.
- Agents want Don Fehr as the next union chief.
Hoops Links: Celtics, Lin, Rose, Bucks, Jack
On this date in 1955, the first woman to be drafted by an NBA team was born. Yes, you read that right. After a brilliant collegiate career at Delta State, Lusia Harris went on to be drafted by the New Orleans Jazz in the seventh round of the 1977 NBA draft. Unfortunately, Harris was pregnant at the time and unable to attend camp. Two years later, Ann Meyers went to camp with the Indiana Pacers but failed to make the cut.
Do you have a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
- Bleed Green looks at the Celtics' addition by subtraction.
- The NBA Geek examines the low usage myth.
- The Basketball Post defends Jeremy Lin.
- Red94 breaks down the Rockets' performance in clutch time.
- Pippen Ain't Easy wants you to cool it on the Derrick Rose clock.
- NBA 247365 showcases the best of the D-League.
- Hardwood Houdini examines Boston's win over the Lakers.
- Bucksketball bows down to Larry Sanders.
- Hoops Addict writes that Jarrett Jack is a perfect fit for Golden State.
- The Brooklyn Game is concerned about the Nets in the long term.
- Wages Of Wins talks Nets, Andrea Bargnani, and bad contracts in their latest podcast.
- Utah Sports Net hits the postgame panic button.
- Pounding The Rock wonders if the Spurs will make a move before the deadline.
- 3 Shades of Blue takes a trip to the Eastern Conference.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Odds & Ends: Amundson, Wolves, Harkless, Mavs
Wolves forward Louis Amundson has been talking with his agent about the very real possibility that he will be traded or waived Friday if the club signs Chris Johnson and Mickael Gelabale for the rest of the season, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. "Everything's on the table right now. You never like to get traded, but sometimes the situation isn't what you hope to it to be. It can work out for the best sometimes," Amundson said. Here's more from around the Association…
- Maurice Harkless says that he doesn't have any ill will toward the Sixers for trading him last August to the Magic in the three-team deal that sent Andrew Bynum to Philly and Dwight Howard to the Lakers, writes Jabari Young of CSNPhilly.com. Harkless is being given a chance to shine in Orlando and has been impressive as of late.
- Rival executives believe the Mavericks will look to unload some of their older money if they keep losing, writes Sam Amick of USA Today. Shawn Marion, who is owed $9.3MM in the last year of his deal in 2013/14 and Vince Carter, who is owed $3.1MM to finish out his deal next season, are both candidates to be moved.
- In today's edition of Sheridan Hoops Radio (audio link), Moke Hamilton explained why Will Bynum could be the next member of the Pistons on the move.
Pacific Notes: Lakers, Gasol, Suns, Dudley
The Chris Paul-less Clippers are in action tonight against the Wizards and it's evident that they miss their star point guard. Eric Bledsoe is doing an admirable job in the starting one-guard spot and has 17 points off of 7-12 shooting through three quarters, but the Clippers are neck-and-neck in Washington. Here's more out of the Pacific..
- If the Lakers want to get out of the graduated tax for next season, then dealing Pau Gasol this year makes sense, but Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times (on Sulia) writes that they can hang on to him for the second half, pay this year's tax, and then move him this summer. Earlier today, GM Mitch Kupchak made comments that seemed to imply that the big man will be staying put.
- More from Pincus (on Twitter) who opines that if the Lakers wanted to sign players like Delonte West and Kenyon Martin, they would have done it long ago when players were hurt.
- We haven't heard a lot of chatter surrounding the Suns' Jared Dudley, but he would make a great deal of sense as a trade candidate for Phoenix, writes Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. It's obviously a lost season for the Suns and Dudley could be valuable for a playoff team looking for a perimeter threat. The Sixers would be one such team that could use his services.
- Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson made a mistake by setting a self-imposed deadline for unveiling an ownership group for the Kings and not meeting it, writes Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com (via Sulia). In a recent press conference, Johnson said that he had a number of minority investors lined up but he has yet to reveal the big money behind a group to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle.
Agents Want Don Fehr As Next Union Chief
As NBA players prepare to make a decision on union chief Billy Hunter's future at All-Star weekend, several influential agents already are privately discussing longtime sports union leader Don Fehr as a possible successor, according to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. Fehr is currently the executive director of the NHL Players Association and the agents who want to hire him have enough juice to sway a significant portion of the union membership.
Fehr declined comment when reached and a person familiar with his thinking said that the hockey union chief is happy in his job and "has no plans to leave his position." However, sources say his deal gives either side the option to terminate it with 60 days notice.
"He is somebody who would be formidable," an agent said of Fehr, who would be charged with hammering out the next CBA before July of 2017. "He would go tooth-and-nail on everything."
In his column for NBA.com, David Aldridge suggested that sports attorney David Cornwell, longtime NFLPA general counsel Dick Berthelsen, and Wizards director of player development Ed Tapscott should be considered as possible replacements for Hunter.
Earl Clark Wants To Stay With Lakers
The Lakers have been struggling mightily this season, but big man Earl Clark has been a bright spot for the 22-26 club. Clark is positioning himself for a considerable raise in his next contract, but the impending free agent says that he would like to stay in Los Angeles, writes Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
“This is my first team that gave me an opportunity. I love the guys here,” the 25-year-old said. “The organization and the style of play fits me. I really want to stay here.“
In eleven starts over the last three weeks, Clark has averaged 10.4 PPG with 8.4 RPG and nearly one block per contest. Clark gave the Lakers 17 points and 10 boards agains the Pistons today and helped lead his team to a 98-97 win despite missing two crucial free throws down the stretch. The Louisville product is making just $1.2MM this season and where ever he winds up next, he figures to see a considerable raise.