The Knicks reportedly have interest in trading for Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, but one issue could be his representation being Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.
In 2022, Klutch opposed the trade of their client, Bulls guard Zach LaVine, to the Knicks.
NBA insider Ian Begley has explained that the Knicks and Klutch are definitely still frosty.
“That dynamic is still present today,” Begley said. “I’m told that Paul remains reluctant to do business with the Knicks, who are led by team president Leon Rose and executive vice president William Wesley. Rose was a top agent at CAA before he took over the Knicks; Wesley was a consultant for the agency before he joined Rose in New York.”
The insider went on to explain the reasoning behind the fractured relationship between Klutch and the Knicks, while stressing that Paul is likely to see the deal through if NY was Murray’s desired destination.
“Now, if Murray wanted specifically to play for the Knicks, Paul wouldn’t stand in the way,” Begley continued. “He’d facilitate the move. That applies to any Klutch client. But unless a player requests a move to New York, Paul is reluctant to deal with the Knicks.
“Why is that? The Daily News’ report cites the perception that the Knicks favor CAA clients. SNY could not independently confirm that.
“Whatever the reasons are, there is a potential path forward for both the Knicks and Klutch. I’m told that Klutch would consider changing its current stance if there is an in-person meeting between Paul and the Knicks, presumably including Rose and Wesley. Until and unless the two sides meet in person, the Klutch-Knicks Cold War will remain in place.”
