What is the Benefit of Hiring an Agent Before the Draft?

[ok-cats-computer]

Is getting an agent early really going to help a player get drafted in a higher spot? I think it would be an advantage for most players to approach this situation like Bam and get some feedback before hiring an agent. It just seems smarter to leave open the option of returning to college.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

Besides representation and guidance you can get advances on your potential earnings.

 

[ok-cats-computer]

Besides representation and guidance you can get advances on your potential earnings.

Representation and guidance just seems like some intangible smoke to me, especially for a player at Kentucky that can rely on Cal for solid advice. I also wonder about the interest rate agents charge when financing an advance on potential earnings.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

Turning pro presents a lot of hurdles and Cal can't represent them. He's got a job. A good agent will guide these guys through everything including scheduling, endorsement opps, best places to stay, eat, etc. As far as money up front I doubt there's much interest charged as the agents are making a cut of the players earnings. If there is it's a very small rate. Good agents are worth their money. This is where Cal helps the guys by guiding them to the good ones.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

It sure helps the team they're leaving. By signing that irrevocably ends their eligibility and makes it easier for their former coach to finish recruiting. If they know they aren't coming back regardless, it's a win-win.

 

[BostonCat2001]

not going to school the next day

 

[Wallins creek Cat]

Money in your pocket. With interest.......Sharks in water.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Representation and guidance just seems like some intangible smoke to me, especially for a player at Kentucky that can rely on Cal for solid advice. I also wonder about the interest rate agents charge when financing an advance on potential earnings.

According to this NFL agent, those loans are interest free. One might call it a carrot.

http://nsafootball.com/faq.php

 

[Cats192]

Free money. They get to live large today.
They get set up for workouts. The agent advertises them if you will.

 

[mbc82584]

Lol they get to have a huge chunk of money for their last month in school. Do you have any idea how attractive that looks to an 18 year old?

 

[TheBlueMax]

Is getting an agent early really going to help a player get drafted in a higher spot? I think it would be an advantage for most players to approach this situation like Bam and get some feedback before hiring an agent. It just seems smarter to leave open the option of returning to college.

Don't have to attend any more classes.

 

[Sleepy Sleeperson]

Don't have to attend any more classes.

With the exception of one, they all have finished the their spring semester classes.

 

[Ineverplayedthegame]

New car is always nice

 

[LeonThe Camel]

Is getting an agent early really going to help a player get drafted in a higher spot? I think it would be an advantage for most players to approach this situation like Bam and get some feedback before hiring an agent. It just seems smarter to leave open the option of returning to college.

If a player is certain to be leaving, and good agent can navigate the system better than anyone.

The agent will tell the player who to work out with, and which teams to work out for. The agent pays for trips, hotels, and makes the necessary connections to get a player in front of particular teams. The agent works the channels to find out potential trades that affect the client.

 

[Slowwalker]

I get that an agent will front money to a player, but in all honesty, how much money would an agent front Briscoe? Don't get me wrong, he is a great player and I loved having him here, but his chances of being drafted in the first round and getting guaranteed money are not certain. He could easily slip into the second round if things don't go great at the combine. What happens then? He owes a bunch of money to someone while getting a D-League salary?

 

[JasonS.]

Gotta jump on that sweet, sweet Kennedy's Wildcat Den money train.

 

[Conn501]

Up front money is a part of it, but far from the whole story. There are a million things that go on behind the scenes that these kids are not equipped to handle. Mistakes can be made that would cost potentially millions depending on the player. There is a reason every player hires an agent. They are very necessary for most.

 

[Dablueman]

Plus as soon as your not eligible you can sign endorsement deals and get way more than a little front money

 

[topps coach]

Personally would not sign with an agent before I signed my rookie contract because those salaries are set dependent on where you are drafted. No reason to pay an agent 5% of that money.

 

[BlueInBrooklyn]

It's also a signal to teams that you're serious. Not sure Briscoe needed that, but it's like betting "all in."

 

[LeonThe Camel]

I get that an agent will front money to a player, but in all honesty, how much money would an agent front Briscoe? Don't get me wrong, he is a great player and I loved having him here, but his chances of being drafted in the first round and getting guaranteed money are not certain. He could easily slip into the second round if things don't go great at the combine. What happens then? He owes a bunch of money to someone while getting a D-League salary?

The agent is going to supply hotel, meals, transportation and a workout facility. Most likely, the agent and the player have an agreement that the agent can shop the player overseas as well as the NBA if it does not work out.
The NBA has a limit on how much money an agent can make on the basketball contract. It used to be somewhere between 3-6%. Outside of basketball is where the agent makes his money.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

Personally would not sign with an agent before I signed my rookie contract because those salaries are set dependent on where you are drafted. No reason to pay an agent 5% of that money.

That is silly. Just checked, NBA agent fee is 4%.

So if you are mid late first round pick, between 20 - 25 where people think Bam will go.

The 20th pick get $1.3million. The 25th pick gets $1.06million. The cost for your agent to prop you up to the teams is about $50k. Best case scenario, expected to be picked 20th, and you are picked 21st, you break even. But if you slide to 25th or even out of the first round, you lose over $250k.

 

[Adolph B. Calipari]

Could Briscoe have entered his name and came back to school?

I was under the impression that a player can only "test the waters" once. In Briscoes case once he entered his name into the draft he had to stay for good this time, agent or no agent.

 

[Slowwalker]

The agent is going to supply hotel, meals, transportation and a workout facility. Most likely, the agent and the player have an agreement that the agent can shop the player overseas as well as the NBA if it does not work out.
The NBA has a limit on how much money an agent can make on the basketball contract. It used to be somewhere between 3-6%. Outside of basketball is where the agent makes his money.

I get that. I am asking what happens when a player is fronted a bunch of money but winds up getting drafted in the second round and then not getting a deal?

 

[spotter34]

Could Briscoe have entered his name and came back to school?

I was under the impression that a player can only "test the waters" once. In Briscoes case once he entered his name into the draft he had to stay for good this time, agent or no agent.

I'm almost positive that rule has been abolished in favor of a rule that enables you to enter your name as many times as you want without penalty as long as you haven't hired an agent. Not sure of the wording but I believe this is close.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

I get that. I am asking what happens when a player is fronted a bunch of money but winds up getting drafted in the second round and then not getting a deal?

They owe the agent. That is why the agent will look to get the players overseas if the NBA does not workout.

We are not talking more than a few thousand dollars. Most players get a per diem and travel (hotel/transportation) costs covered by the NBA team looking at them.

The biggest cost is if the players want to go through a pre-draft workout with known trainers.

 

[Grs51]

Besides representation and guidance you can get advances on your potential earnings.

I thought that was all Predetermined via the last NBA contract

 

[truebluewildcat]

Money, new car, bling, court side seats next to celebs at pro games, client parties...

 

[Hoskins91]

Well, if a guy is leaving no matter what, you might as well. That's the case for most of the guys leaving.

 

[shutzhund]

Representation and guidance just seems like some intangible smoke to me, especially for a player at Kentucky that can rely on Cal for solid advice. I also wonder about the interest rate agents charge when financing an advance on potential earnings.

There won't be better thoughts than the ones you just gave. Agents aren't going anywhere so why not wait.