<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Though Wallace is considered the biggest name on the free-agent market this summer, he probably won't have an agent to represent him. Wallace fired his former agent, Steve Kauffman, two months ago in a dispute about how Kauffman would be paid. Like many NBA stars, Wallace likely will handle his own negotiations and hire a lawyer on an hourly basis to oversee the process instead of giving an agent the usual 4 percent commission on a contract. Wallace has said on numerous occasions that he wants to stay with the Pistons. </div> Source
He doesn't need an agent because he is probably the most valuable player (other than Harrington) on the market this summer. The Pistons have expressed that they were interested in keeping him, so he already has a destination. However, having an agent to do all the paper work would be nice so Big Ben could focus primarily on training for next season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">Ben isnt going anywhere soon.</div>Yeah, he's just cutting the middle man out.
Not having representation plays into the owners' hands. If you forgo a professional agent who also obtains you millions in lucrative endorsements and positions you for public visibility, then that's your bag. But you better have a very experienced contract negotiator whom you are paying at least $500 an hour plus expenses, or you are screwing yourself. Four percent (4%) seems more than reasonable for the returns a top agent will produce for his or her client over their career.
I hope he doesnt leave. I love the pistosn and he is my 3rd favorite player on their after billups and hamilton
Just because Ben doesn't have an agent doesn't mean Gatorade and And1 and other endorsement deals are going to stop being offered to him. He can sell himself, he's that marketable.
