Former Wisconsin guard Devin Harris is in his 6th year in the NBA, currently playing with the New Jersey Nets.  Prior to joining the Nets, Harris was with the Dallas Mavericks.  Harris consistently got better in each of his four seasons with the Mavericks, logging more minutes and points in each successive year.  This year, he is averaging around 15 points and 8 assists in 32 minutes per game.  His assists are at an all time high, but Harris is barely shooting above 40% from the field and his 3-point percentage is sub-30%.

The 5th overall selection in the 2004 NBA Draft has decided to part ways with his now former agent, Henry Thomas of Creative Artists Agency (the same agency that represents Wade, Bosh, and James) in favor of Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management.  Harris joins an agency that also represents Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, and Paul Pierce.  From one mega basketball agency to another.

On To The Next One: Devin Harris from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

First Round

1. Clippers - Blake Griffin PF/C – Agency: Excel Sports Management
2. Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet C – Agency: BDA Sports
3. Thunder – James Harden SG – Agency: Landmark Sports Agency
4. Kings - Tyreke Evans PG/SG – Agency: Wasserman Media Group
5. Timberwolves – Ricky Rubio PG – Agency: BEST
6. Timberwolves - Jonny Flynn PG – Agency: CAA
7. Warriors - Stephen Curry PG/SG – Agency: Octagon
8. Knicks - Jordan Hill PF – Agency: BDA Sports
9. Raptors - Demar DeRozan SG/SF – Agency: Goodwin Sports Management
10. Bucks - Brandon Jennings PG – Agency: BDA Sports
11. Nets - Terrence Williams SG/SF – Agency: Goodwin Sports Management
12. Bobcats – Gerald Henderson SG – Agency: Wasserman Media Group
13. Pacers – Tyler Hansbrough PF – Agency: Excel Sports Management
14. Suns - Earl Clark SF/PF – Agency: BEST
15. Pistons - Austin Daye SF/PF – Agency: BDA Sports
16. Bulls - James Johnson SF/PF – Agency: Wasserman Media Group
17. 76ers - Jrue Holiday PG/SG – Agency: BEST
18. Timberwolves – Ty Lawson PG – Agency: Peake Management Group
19. Hawks - Jeff Teague PG/SG – Agency: BDA Sports
20. Jazz - Eric Maynor PG – Agency: ASM Sports
21. Hornets - Darren Collison PG – Agency: BDA Sports
22. Trailblazers – Victor Claver PF – Agency: Wasserman Media Group
23. Kings – Omri Casspi SF/PF – Agency: CAA
24. Mavericks – B.J. Mullens C – Agency: ASM Sports
25. Thunder – Rodrigue Beaubois PG – Agency: Comsport
26. Bulls – Taj Gibson PF – Agency: Priority Sports
27. Grizzlies – DeMarre Carroll SF/PF – Agency: Priority Sports
28. Timberwolves – Wayne Ellington SG – Agency: Wasserman Media Group
29. Knicks – Toney Douglas PG/SG – Agency: FAME
30. Cavaliers - Christian Eyenga SG/SF – Agency: ASM Sports

Notes:

• Leading up to the draft, I really liked that Goodwin Sports Management was doing to get its clients connected on social networks.  My man Nate Jones, a law student at UCLA, has been doing a great job helping out Aaron Goodwin and Co. on publicizing GSM client Twitter accounts and setting up Rookie Chronicles.
• BDA Sports seems to have dodged any potential negative recruiting ramifications from the company’s involvement with the O.J. Mayo scandal.  Three BDA clients were taken in the top ten picks of the draft.  Four BDA clients went in the top fifteen.  Six in the top twenty-one!  Where WMG made the headlines last year, BDA definitely took over the 2009 draft.
• Speaking of WMG, the company had three players taken in the top sixteen picks.  And BEST had three guys selected in the top seventeen picks.  WMG still dominated with five total draft picks in the first round.
• The first Israeli player drafted was taken by the Kings.  The fairly new GM of the Kings is a friend, Jason Levien.  I am happy for him because I think Omri Casspi was a steal at the slot picked, and Levien is supporting the Jews!
• One of my favorite players in the draft, Toney Douglas, was taken by a team who I think will really benefit from drafting him.  Knicks fans should be happy with that pick.

2009 NBA Draft: Breaking Down The First Round from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, projected to go No. 1 this June, has been headed to agent Jeff Schwartz ever since last summer when he attended a series of conditioning workouts in California. The camp is financed by Schwartz, who could have a big draft. UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet is ready to sign on and he also has first dibs on the Huskies’ A.J. Price. Of course it’s always easier to get the players when you already represent the coach, as Schwartz does with Jim Calhoun.

Surprisingly, I can no longer access the story, which sounds like it should be an interesting read.  Instead, when I click on the original link, I end up with a story about Andruw Bynum.  Interesting…

Already had a rough piece on Calhoun, UConn, and Josh Nochimson last week.  There was a recent piece about agents making it rain on AAU coaches.  We all know what happened with BDA and O.J. Mayo last year.  Why is the original story down?  It sure has me curious.

Did Blake Griffin Receive Improper Benefits? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules