Lonzo Ball has signed with Klutch Sports.

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09-14-2020, 06:49 AM
thiefinthenight

Lonzo Ball has signed with Klutch Sports.

Quote:

Three years into his NBA career, New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball views this as a pivotal offseason, which begins with an important business decision: Ball has signed with agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, the 22-year-old told ESPN.

"I wanted to lead my career," Ball told ESPN. "Picking my own representation -- just solely as my decision -- was Step 1 in that process. For me, it was an easy call and it was the right time to make that call."

Lonzo Ball, looking to 'lead my career,' signs with Klutch Sports

Bye https://t.co/IfA6qhEvH6
— Ryan Hebert (@RyanHebert89) September 14, 2020
09-14-2020, 06:54 AM
6warddude

well i guess he will be signing with the lakers or trade back to them lol....
09-14-2020, 07:12 AM
AUSSIE_PELICAN

New York's problem now.
09-14-2020, 07:18 AM
Pelicanidae

Au revoir

Trade time trade time
09-14-2020, 08:37 AM
PELICANSFAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Au revoir

Trade time trade time

Yeah, it may be.
09-14-2020, 08:44 AM
PelicanNation

This is great news. Hopefully it means he is gone.
09-14-2020, 01:25 PM
SoCal4Pels

I wonder if the PG spot suits Holiday's personality better than the 2? My memory fails me if this is feasible, but maybe Jrue gives us the flexibility of taking either the best PG or shooting guard we can get for Lonzo?
09-14-2020, 01:58 PM
PELICANSFAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal4Pels

I wonder if the PG spot suits Holiday's personality better than the 2? My memory fails me if this is feasible, but maybe Jrue gives us the flexibility of taking either the best PG or shooting guard we can get for Lonzo?

We have seen Jrue as the lead PG before and that does not seem to be a role that suits him full time.
09-14-2020, 04:01 PM
Pelicanidae

Jrue's best usage, as we've seen fairly clearly over the years, is one which gives him the flexibility to play on and off the ball and doesn't require him to set up literally everything in the half court.

He can do some of it, and even thrives doing so, but you can't ask him to just take the ball and run the game; it's not his thing. Having someone else on the court who can reliably create for others is a must.
09-14-2020, 04:37 PM
luckyman

There are plenty reasons to trade Lonzo. But simply signing with Klutch isn't one of them. They do a good job for their clients so...
09-14-2020, 05:09 PM
SoCal4Pels

^That's not the reason we are talking about trading him. It's possible foreshadowing that Lonzo is going to want a trade.
09-14-2020, 05:24 PM
Pelicanidae

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyman

There are plenty reasons to trade Lonzo. But simply signing with Klutch isn't one of them. They do a good job for their clients so...

There are two major reasons that Lonzo signing with Klutch are reasons for fans to speculate on it indicating a trade.

1) Klutch has a history of getting maximised value out of their signees, to the point of blatant overpayment. If Lonzo is signing with Klutch, there's a good chance he values his next contract fairly highly, and there's also a good chance that Klutch will seek to get that value for him, whether his play earns it or not. In that case, it's not a problem (in fact it's very good) for us to recognise that giving Lonzo a huge deal would be detrimental to our long term future and that, given that signing with Klutch enhances his probability of getting such a deal elsewhere, it's best for us to move him now

2) Klutch has a history of its management and its players burning New Orleans, whether that's AD signing with Klutch only to turn around and demand a trade, or whether it's people like Perkins going on TV on a regular basis to trash the franchise [and Perkins saying that he used his time in New Orleans to seed the idea of going to Klutch to AD in the first place]. It's not unreasonable for fans to see a player signing with that particular agency as a possible indicator of the temperature of their relationship with the team: that is, it may be a sign that Lonzo wants out.

Now, Lonzo has changed agency (I think) 4 times already in his NBA career, so it could also just be a sign of that continued indecision from him. Plausible.

But it's not unreasonable to think that it might be portentous.
09-14-2020, 05:25 PM
AUSSIE_PELICAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Jrue's best usage, as we've seen fairly clearly over the years, is one which gives him the flexibility to play on and off the ball and doesn't require him to set up literally everything in the half court.

He can do some of it, and even thrives doing so, but you can't ask him to just take the ball and run the game; it's not his thing. Having someone else on the court who can reliably create for others is a must.

If we are going to keep Jrue then pairing him with another guard like CJ McCollum with defense is what is needed. Doesn't need to be strictly a PG.
Both BI and Zion will eventually run some offense too.
09-14-2020, 05:32 PM
Pelicanidae

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

If we are going to keep Jrue then pairing him with another guard like CJ McCollum with defense is what is needed. Doesn't need to be strictly a PG.
Both BI and Zion will eventually run some offense too.

Exactly. I barely care whether Jrue is listed as the PG or not. The issue is whether or not there are other capable ballhandlers who can run offense in the lineup. If that's a PG or a SG or a forward is kind of besides the point; this is an extreme example that would never happen but Lebron is a SF and he'd obviously fill the role just fine.

Of course we hope Zion gets his ballhandling back to Duke levels and maintains the passing flashes we saw this year (I think he will, but we'll see) and he can shoulder a large part of the half-court creation burden.
09-14-2020, 07:03 PM
GuardianAngel25

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyman

There are plenty reasons to trade Lonzo. But simply signing with Klutch isn't one of them. They do a good job for their clients so...

Exactly! This whole thinking Klutch has some issue with the Pelicans because of AD going to the Lakers is absurd. If anything Klutch saved the Pelicans franchise by getting AD to LA and landing us a boatload if picks and players. AD wanted out of here and I guarantee that was before Klutch. He tried using them to save face as well as they did to keep their clients image pristine.
09-14-2020, 11:43 PM
luckyman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

There are two major reasons that Lonzo signing with Klutch are reasons for fans to speculate on it indicating a trade.

1) Klutch has a history of getting maximised value out of their signees, to the point of blatant overpayment. If Lonzo is signing with Klutch, there's a good chance he values his next contract fairly highly, and there's also a good chance that Klutch will seek to get that value for him, whether his play earns it or not. In that case, it's not a problem (in fact it's very good) for us to recognise that giving Lonzo a huge deal would be detrimental to our long term future and that, given that signing with Klutch enhances his probability of getting such a deal elsewhere, it's best for us to move him now

2) Klutch has a history of its management and its players burning New Orleans, whether that's AD signing with Klutch only to turn around and demand a trade, or whether it's people like Perkins going on TV on a regular basis to trash the franchise [and Perkins saying that he used his time in New Orleans to seed the idea of going to Klutch to AD in the first place]. It's not unreasonable for fans to see a player signing with that particular agency as a possible indicator of the temperature of their relationship with the team: that is, it may be a sign that Lonzo wants out.

Now, Lonzo has changed agency (I think) 4 times already in his NBA career, so it could also just be a sign of that continued indecision from him. Plausible.

But it's not unreasonable to think that it might be portentous.

The problem with ALL that is...Lonzo doesn't have that kind of pull. He finished the season poorly and he is still somewhat of a project as a point guard.

So signing with Klutch right now is a good move for him because if the light doesn't turn on soon, he's about to become a journeyman. So go ahead and maximize what he can on the business, off-the-court side.

How can anyone here think Lonzo via Klutch can demand anything right now is beyond me. Just amounts to overzealous conspiracy theory.
09-15-2020, 12:14 AM
Pelicanidae

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyman

The problem with ALL that is...Lonzo doesn't have that kind of pull. He finished the season poorly and he is still somewhat of a project as a point guard.

So signing with Klutch right now is a good move for him because if the light doesn't turn on soon, he's about to become a journeyman. So go ahead and maximize what he can on the business, off-the-court side.

How can anyone here think Lonzo via Klutch can demand anything right now is beyond me. Just amounts to overzealous conspiracy theory.

The issue isn't whether Lonzo has that kind of pull, it's whether or not Lonzo believes he has that pull, or at least thinks Klutch's management can finagle it for him to some extent.

Plus, the number of people we've seen running around with ''the bubble doesn't count'' takes, even in high media positions, has to have Lonzo at least partially reassured that his abysmal Bubble play won't counteract what many saw as a breakout few months prior to that. Whether you believe that period of time was a real breakout, or just a hot streak, doesn't really matter: again, what matters is what Lonzo thinks and what he thinks GMs might think (a thought process that can be influenced by Klutch).

If thinking Lonzo and Klutch can demand anything is an ''overzealous conspiracy theory'', then thinking that Lonzo and Klutch won't try to angle things their way is ludicrously naive.
09-15-2020, 01:49 AM
Taker597

Dae... Put down the tinfoil.

AD forced a trade out of NOLA... Himself. Not Klutch. Because we was a trash organization.

Kamara is with Klutch and he resigned with us. AD stuff is in the past.
09-15-2020, 03:46 AM
Pelicanidae

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taker597

Dae... Put down the tinfoil.

AD forced a trade out of NOLA... Himself. Not Klutch. Because we was a trash organization.

Kamara is with Klutch and he resigned with us. AD stuff is in the past.

I was unaware Kamara had a chance to go win a ring in LA with Lebron, forgive me.
09-15-2020, 03:49 AM
Pelicanidae

Again, not saying there is necessarily anything nefarious to this at all.

But to act like it's conspiracy theorising to see a player change agent immediately prior to a ''pivotal offseason'', and to have that new agent be one notorious for extracting high price contracts for their players and one that our star signed with immediately before asking out last year, and think maybe that player may value themselves highly or want a trade? That's just being naive, I think. It may mean nothing. But the idea that it might potentially mean something isn't the equivalent of thinking the moon landing was fake or something.
09-15-2020, 11:20 AM
tdcreator

If Lonzo signs an extension this offseason for 12-14 million, I think you keep him. If he wants more field offers. You don’t have to rush it since we could trade him at the trade deadline or a sign and trade next year. The thing for me is I don’t think him and Jrue fit together.

As for Jrue at pg. I think it’s fine. He only has to bring the ball up court then give to Ingram. I’m sure he can run some pick and rolls too and be a creator at the end of games like he’s been doing. My thing is we need to have a shooter at the other guard position. I’m kinda started leaning towards Kira Lewis in the draft so if that was to happen we could move on from Zo and Jrue stays at the 2.
09-15-2020, 11:39 AM
PELICANSFAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

...thinking that Lonzo and Klutch won't try to angle things their way is ludicrously naive.

Wouldn't that be the case with every agent and every player?
09-15-2020, 01:36 PM
donato

Why are people focusing on Lonzo's fit with Jrue? Why are we focusing on building around a player that will probably be 31 years old by the end of next season? Personally I think they both should be traded.
09-15-2020, 01:51 PM
PeliKhan

Quote:

Originally Posted by donato

Why are people focusing on Lonzo's fit with Jrue? Why are we focusing on building around a player that will probably be 31 years old by the end of next season? Personally I think they both should be traded.

Agreed.
09-15-2020, 02:26 PM
Pelicanidae

Quote:

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Wouldn't that be the case with every agent and every player?

Sure, but again, we have reason to suspect more aggressive tactics and higher valuations from Klutch players than from other agents. The reason we have justification in believing that is that there are so many high profile examples of Klutch players getting hugely overvalued contracts, with disturbing regularity, as well as the experience we as a franchise have with Klutch and its representatives.

I will repeat: does that mean there is definitely 100% something going on with this Klutch move? No, of course not. Does it mean that if someone is a bit suspicious, they may have some justifiable reason for that suspicion? Yes.
09-15-2020, 03:01 PM
Taker597

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Sure, but again, we have reason to suspect more aggressive tactics and higher valuations from Klutch players than from other agents. The reason we have justification in believing that is that there are so many high profile examples of Klutch players getting hugely overvalued contracts, with disturbing regularity, as well as the experience we as a franchise have with Klutch and its representatives.

I will repeat: does that mean there is definitely 100% something going on with this Klutch move? No, of course not. Does it mean that if someone is a bit suspicious, they may have some justifiable reason for that suspicion? Yes.

It's probably a bunch of nothing. I hope he demands a trade, but he probably won't.
09-15-2020, 03:55 PM
tdcreator

Quote:

Originally Posted by donato

Why are people focusing on Lonzo's fit with Jrue? Why are we focusing on building around a player that will probably be 31 years old by the end of next season? Personally I think they both should be traded.

I agree but I?m letting Jrue decide if he wants to stay and rebuild but If there is one person our young kids could learn some work ethics from I?d like it to be Jrue.
09-15-2020, 05:50 PM
GuardianAngel25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taker597

Dae... Put down the tinfoil.

AD forced a trade out of NOLA... Himself. Not Klutch. Because we was a trash organization.

Kamara is with Klutch and he resigned with us. AD stuff is in the past.

LoL acting like Lonzo needs to go hide behind Klutch just so he can leave Nola? What kind of sense does that made at all?! Like he give a bleep about the blowback from the Pelicans fan base if he decides to sign a deal with a new team.
09-15-2020, 06:04 PM
GuardianAngel25

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdcreator

If Lonzo signs an extension this offseason for 12-14 million, I think you keep him. If he wants more field offers. You don?t have to rush it since we could trade him at the trade deadline or a sign and trade next year. The thing for me is I don?t think him and Jrue fit together.

As for Jrue at pg. I think it?s fine. He only has to bring the ball up court then give to Ingram. I?m sure he can run some pick and rolls too and be a creator at the end of games like he?s been doing. My thing is we need to have a shooter at the other guard position. I?m kinda started leaning towards Kira Lewis in the draft so if that was to happen we could move on from Zo and Jrue stays at the 2.

I 100% agree with this. Jrue can easily play PG and if he does you put a SG position next to him who can knock down the 3 at 40%+ rate and handle some of the ball duties with an ability to create for others when needed. Maybe we believe we have that guy on the roster in NAW who can be a very good fit next to Jrue going forward. My 2nd option is if we move on for Lonzo is use our assets and go get Bradley Beal. You give them anybody but Zion, Ingram, and Jrue. No you don?t give them every asset but 1 Lonzo would be included along with likely NAW and multiple 1st round picks which we have.

Washington goes into rebuild mode with Lonzo and a 2nd year guard with a ton of potential to replace Beal and Wall who they will then trade once healthy. I think we can offer them the best package for a rebuild without gutting ourselves. The Pelicans getting Beal makes us instant contenders imo. That would be 3 proven all stars in Jrue/Beal/Ingram with 2 in the prime of their careers and 1 years away. Then you add Zion who would benefit big time from this trade as well. I have said this before that Beal is a top 3 back court mate next to Holiday. I do think NAW is a sleeper who could benefit working with Jrue for an off-season similar to Frank. The great thing is this team has a lot of options with more assets than we have ever had. You can believe Griffin and Langdon are just sitting around but they are smarter then you and will be working day and night to figure these exact issues out.
09-16-2020, 05:37 PM
ml wave

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuardianAngel25

LoL acting like Lonzo needs to go hide behind Klutch just so he can leave Nola? What kind of sense does that made at all?! Like he give a bleep about the blowback from the Pelicans fan base if he decides to sign a deal with a new team.

If he were about to be a free agent, that would be true but he's got a year on his contract before he's a restricted free agent so if the goal is to maximize an extension/get out of NO then he needs to create leverage to do so. Personally, I doubt he's dying to get out...his time in a big market was a disaster and his game blossomed here during that one stretch where he was actually semi-good. Plus, a pass-first PG would be pretty crazy to leave Zion. I think he clearly has issues with representation and is just trying to find the right guy.