OT: Suns hire an agent as their GM Lon Babby

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Sug, Jul 19, 2010.

  1. Sug

    Sug Well-Known Member

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    Very interesting selection. He represented Hedo and Childress prior to getting the job.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5393490
     
  2. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    Bad hire.
     
  3. Sug

    Sug Well-Known Member

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    Almost seems like a back room deal to lands his clients.
     
  4. Nikolokolus

    Nikolokolus There's always next year

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    Now why couldn't the Blazers get that guy? Canzano was right, this is turning into a lost summer


    :sigh:
     
  5. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    I don't remember this ever happening before. Has it, in any sport? I will guess at why it hasn't.

    1) Big agents make at least as much as GMs. A GM's income depends upon pleasing one master, so the GM can lose everything all at once. An agent's income is diversified among many clients. His portfolio doesn't have all the eggs in one basket, if one client turns against him.

    2) Conflict of interest. Did Babby have to terminate all his agency relationships? If so, that's a lot of easy money lost. If not, why not? There's an incentive to sign and give his own clients raises, since he gets a percentage.

    3) Competence. Just because he knows contracts doesn't mean he can evaluate talent.
     
  6. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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    Hello darkness, my old friend
    Yeah, I don't know if an agent has been hired as GM before. The closest thing I can think of off the top of my head is the baseball agent, Jeff Moorad, becoming owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

    So, I guess it's an Arizona thing.
     
  7. Chocolove

    Chocolove Active Member

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    Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks. Agent turned GM, does a pretty good job.
     
  8. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Man, that Moorad is no moron. He doesn't need to hire a contract specialist. Plus, an agent is a negotiator. Talk about competence, what an owner. All he needs is a scout and he's home free with no staff expenses.

    Gillis, thanks. Are these guys really good or is there no difference?
     
  9. Paxil

    Paxil Active Member

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    I think agents get between 5-10% of the players contract... so I believe the ones with high profile players definitely make a lot more than a GM.

    I don't know for sure... but I don't believe it would be possible for him to represent any players while being a GM, because as a GM he wouldn't be allowed to talk to those players. He probably transfered his players to someone else for a large chunk of change.
     
  10. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Now there is an opening for KP to become an agent.

    It is always better to sell the ingredients then it is to be the one baking the cake.
     
  11. Paxil

    Paxil Active Member

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    I think KP would make a fine agent... and car salesman... and I don't say that in a bad way... it is a good GM quality to be able to seem like everyone's best friend.
     
  12. Masbee

    Masbee -- Rookie of the Year

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    Agents do not get that much. I think they are limited to 4%.

    Manager, on the other hand, can get all kinda finger deep into the honey pot.
     
  13. Nikolokolus

    Nikolokolus There's always next year

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    I think it would get kind of awkward when he inevitably would refuse to sell a car to somebody, because it held too much sentimental value.
     
  14. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    http://hoopshype.com/agents.htm

    The top 10 agents, approximately, could not* become a GM without taking a pay cut. (Multiply each agent's clients' salaries by 4-10%.)

    Become a GM: You won't have expenses of running a business--travel, coddling clients, lawyers to write contracts.

    Stay an agent: As I said, you retain the security of diversifying your income among multiple clients, instead of depending upon pleasing one master, the owner, who with one swipe can wipe out your income.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2010
  15. Fez Hammersticks

    Fez Hammersticks スーパーバッド Zero Cool

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    KP acted as an agent when he got Phoenix to sign Jason Collins!
     
  16. Nikolokolus

    Nikolokolus There's always next year

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    or when he publicly stated that B-Roy deserved a max deal, while he was supposedly in the middle of negotiating his extension ... /justsaying
     
  17. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Also when he praised Rudy as the best player in Europe. When he praised his scouts, he was making them worth more at next raise-time.

    Quick has done a lot of agent-like work praising Pritchard, too. Canzano's dog barks at him when he gets home, and is very heavy on the praise for his master, licking him all over. But it's Canzano, so the dog probably hates him and is faking it.
     
  18. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

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    Babby was hired as the team President. The Suns are still going to hire a GM.
     
  19. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Yes, I read today that he wants to hire a GM who is a "crackerjack" talent evaluator. That's the reputation Pritchard has gotten in Portland, so maybe it'll be him, though if you look at his draft picks (especially the European ones), some are starting to wilt.
     

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