NBA super-agent Rich Paul was apparently busy carrying out a bespoke plan to intentionally turn one of his clients into “Mr. ‘Irrelevant’ in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Paul, the CEO of Clutch Sports and a good friend and agent of LeBron James, called his second-round team telling him not to draft his client, former Kentucky forward Chris Livingston. . According to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The 6-foot-6 tall Akron-born athlete was listed as a five-star rookie candidate by consensus and ended up with the final pick in the 58th overall draft to be named by the Bucks. It’s irrelevant. “
Surprising to some, this madness had an obvious method.
Charania said the 19-year-old Livingston received a draft guarantee from Milwaukee two weeks ago and then canceled his remaining seven training sessions.
And on Thursday, Paul reportedly began calling second-round teams and urging them not to draft clients because Livingston was believed to have secured a spot in the second round. .
At a draft meeting at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Paul had a serious expression on his phone.
The top agent, who is dating Grammy-winning singer Adele, has represented several high-profile clients in the league, including Anthony Davis, Draymond Green and Scotty Jr., son of Bulls legend Scottie Pippen. ing.
Livingston will join two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s powerhouse Milwaukee Bucks.
Read the New York Post coverage on the 2023 NBA Draft:
Paul’s apparent strategy may have been influenced by changes made to the new NBA collective bargaining agreement that allows second-round picks to sign long-term rookie contracts.
according to Charania The new CBA will create and make available a new second-round pick exception so teams don’t have to drown in mid-level exceptions to sign second-round picks.
Livingston was a high draft pick and rumored to have even joined the Lakers’ James.
Livingston has called James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, “a mentor and role model” in his off-court relationships.
The proud Ohio native has reportedly scouted Livingston for ‘Shooting Stars,’ his latest project about the life of James growing up in Akron.
Livingston was eventually cast as James’ high school “rival” in the biopic, which premiered exclusively on June 2 at Peacock.
Livingston spent one season in Kentucky, averaging 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game in his debut season.
He appeared in 34 games for the Wildcats, starting 26 of them.
