The NBA has witnessed two monumental contract extensions recently. One is with Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown securing a five-year supermax deal worth a staggering $304 million, making it the richest contract in NBA history. And second, Lakers star Anthony Davis agreeing to a lucrative max extension, cementing his status as one of the league’s highest-paid players.
Rich Paul, a close friend, and agent to NBA superstar LeBron James, orchestrated a historic contract extension for the Lakers’ forward. The jaw-dropping deal has overshadowed Jaylen Brown’s $304 million.
Star agent Rich Paul’s brilliance secures Davis’ record-breaking deal
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Just two weeks ago, Jaylen Brown made headlines, committing to a record-breaking five-year supermax contract extension with Celtics. The deal, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon, is fully guaranteed and features a trade kicker. Notably, there is no player option, showcasing Brown’s dedication to the Celtics for the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, Rich Paul represents some of the biggest stars in the league. His client list includes the likes of LeBron James, Draymond Green, Zach LaVine, Trae Young, and many more. Paul demonstrated his prowess in sports representation by negotiating a historic contract for Anthony Davis. Following his 2020 NBA title, Davis became an unrestricted free agent, which opened the door for a huge paycheck in the 2020–21 offseason.
As per the ESPN NBA insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, Rich Paul’s recent negotiations have resulted in a three-year, $186 million agreement. This would tie Davis to the Lakers until 2028 for more than $270 million.
BREAKING: Lakers star Anthony Davis has agreed on a three-year $186M max extension, tying him to franchise thru 2028 for total of $270M-plus, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. Davis lands richest annual extension in NBA history at $62M. pic.twitter.com/bf9kWgD7uz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2023
At $62 million, this historic contract represents the highest annual extension ever documented in NBA history.
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LeBron James’ close friendship fuels player-agent bond
The $120 million worth Rich Paul and James share a bond that goes beyond the usual player-agent dynamic. Because of their strong personal connection, the two have developed a special degree of trust and understanding. As James’ agent, Paul has constantly shown a sharp eye for getting profitable deals for his clients. His power to utilize his understanding of the dynamics of the league and the nuances of the wage cap help here!
The $186 million max extension signed by Anthony Davis is evidence of the influence friendship, trust, and financial savvy has had on the NBA.
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What’s your take on AD’s new contract extension? Share your thoughts in the comments below!