Draymond signs with Klutch: 'Right move for me'
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green told ESPN's The Undefeated on Tuesday that he has officially signed with a new representation agency in Klutch Sports that also represents LeBron James.
Green, a three-time NBA champion and three-time All-Star, was previously represented by agent B.J. Armstrong with The Wasserman Group. Green signed with Klutch Sports, led by president and agent Rich Paul, on Feb. 27 in Miami.
Green will be an unrestricted free agent in 2020.
"Klutch is a cutting-edge company, it's a pure environment, and I've grown to know Rich over the years," Green told The Undefeated. "We've become very close. When you really take a step back and actually study what is going on, he checks every box that a player would want in an agent. So, why not? Some are afraid of what people will think or what will be said. That's not the case for me."
Green, 29, is averaging 7.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31.2 minutes per game this season. A seven-year NBA veteran, he is in the fourth year of a five-year, $82 million contract he signed in 2015. Green said he has called Armstrong to thank him and offer appreciation for his 4 years of service.
Green added that the change is "about me" and what he wants to "be aligned with moving forward." Paul is aligned with three All-Star clients in James, Anthony Davis and Ben Simmons. Other notable Klutch Sports clients include John Wall, Tristan Thompson, Eric Bledsoe andMarkieffand Marcus Morris.
Green said it has been "mind-boggling" to him when people have questioned his expected change in agencies to join Paul.
"At some point, some respect has to be given to what Rich has built and what he represents," Green said. "It's easy to criticize when the criticism is aimed at your opponent, but it's part of the game the average fan doesn't see. It's always been competition amongst agents, but this is different. It's bigger than just contracts. This is genuine, and it's the right move for me. We'll be in business long after I'm done playing. And that's more important than anything."
Green also is a minority owner in James' multimedia site "Uninterrupted" but said the Los Angeles Lakers star did not strongly recruit him to sign with Klutch Sports.
"It's impossible to say LeBron played no part in me joining Klutch, simply because he has been Klutch since the beginning," Green said. "He's essentially a founding partner. I've already had a relationship with LeBron for years, so it's always good to be able to do business with family that's going about their business in the right fashion and getting things done. But as far as recruiting me -- no, LeBron didn't recruit me at all."
