The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Ben Simmons first overall in the 2016 NBA draft. Bryan Colangelo inherited three first-round picks when he took over the gig, thanks to his predecessor Sam Hinkie. Colangelo decided to tap Simmons’ name first, and followed that up by drafting Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot with the 24th pick and Furkan Korkmaz with his 26th.
Simmons was represented by Rich Paul, Founder of Klutch Sports, the same agency that represents LeBron James.
But according to ESPN Insider Ramona Shelburne on Twitter, that business partnership has now come to an end:
“Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons and Klutch Sports have mutually decided to part ways, sources told ESPN. Simmons had been represented by Klutch since he came into the NBA as the No. 1 pick in 2016. The agency negotiated his five-year $177 million extension in 2019.”
Simmons first announced he was joining Klutch seven years ago, in March of 2016 ahead of the NBA Draft, when LSU was ineligible for tournament play. Paul is one of LeBron’s best friends, and welcomed Simmons into the Klutch “family.” Simmons would say he looks up to LeBron on numerous occasions.