Buckle up, basketball nerds, because Michael Jordan’s longtime agent just entered the SGA discourse like it’s Game 7 with 10 seconds left on the clock. Yup, it is the same man who oversaw Jordan’s landmark shoe deal with Nike and marketed him as the face of the League throughout his legendary career with the Bulls. And when someone of that stature goes around sprinkling wisdom, you hope to catch it.
First off, David Falk dropped by on Stephen A. Smith’s podcast and remarked that he is rather “intrigued” by the fact that SGA, the reigning MVP and current face of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is choosing to represent himself. Falk didn’t call it a mistake—but he might as well have drawn it up on a whiteboard like it’s a failed inbounds play. “A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client,” Falk said.
Back in February of this year, it was first reported by NBA Journalist Chris Haynes that the 26-year-old has parted ways with agent Thad Foucher of Wasserman and will now represent himself. While that’s that, Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible to sign a super maximum extension with the Thunder this summer, worth nearly $300 million. Later, the point guard made explicit the fact that he would keep his separate representation in place for off-court deals.
But, coming back, Falk’s point is that players—especially MVP-level stars like SGA—need buffers. If you ever want to demand a trade, navigate beefs behind the scenes, or even tell your team you want out without burning bridges, you need a guy. Or at least someone with a clipboard and a Bluetooth headset. He name-dropped the LeBron and KD blueprint here: Rich Paul. Rich Kleiman. Maverick Carter. All stars in suits, building empires behind the curtain while their clients rack up All-NBA nods.
And SGA isn’t just some role player managing endorsement deals with local car dealerships. He’s now a three-time First Team All-NBA selection, joining the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Jayson Tatum, and Donovan Mitchell on this year’s top-tier squad.
September 27, 2021 – Kohler, Wisconsin, USA. – Basketball greats MICHAEL JORDAN and Steph Curry sit down at Whistling Straits, site of the Ryder Cup, to talk golf. Kohler U.S. – ZUMAce6_ 20210927_zaf_ce6_005 Copyright: xNbcxGolfx
Hence, marketing becomes a crucial factor, and this is where Falk extensively talks about LeBron James and how he was first represented by Aaron Goodwin and later by his friend Maverick Carter. And let’s just say that both are pretty much stalwart in the field. Aaron Goodwill and the 40-year-old’s journey first began in 2003, and then they hammered deals for the world to watch. $90 million deal with Nike? Check. Another $12 million from Coca-Cola? Yes, Sir. A collection of other deals that raked in millions more? You got it.
And once LeBron James fired him as his representative, Maverick Carter arrived on the scene in 2006. He has been the mind behind King James’ marketing and investment deals, establishing relationships with Nike and Coca-Cola. Carter’s masterstroke? An ESPN TV Special called The Decision, which encapsulated the entire journey of the free agent James, who was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign with the Miami Heat in 2010. Further, they co-founded a production company named SpringHill Company in 2020.
And yes, SGA has proved he’s elite. And he’s done it with a silky game that makes defenders look like they’re trying to guard shadows. His stats? Bananas. But if he’s planning to become the guy for the next decade—not just in Oklahoma but league-wide—it’s time to upgrade from solo mode to co-op. Marketing, branding, long-term planning, endorsements—these things don’t negotiate themselves; he might want to take Falk’s advice seriously.
And it appears that Falk’s appearance on the Smith’s YouTube channel was all about dropping bombs, and here’s where it gets real Falk-y.
And here we go again…
When asked about his GOAT rankings, Falk didn’t just put MJ at No. 1—he basically chiseled it into stone. Second? Either Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Kobe Bryant. LeBron James? Maybe… Top 10. David Falk said, “Probably.” As in, probably top 10. But Falk wasn’t done.
He added, “If Jordan had cherry-picked what teams he wanted to be on and two other superstars, he would’ve won 15 championships.” That’s some Hall of Fame-level salt right there. Falk sounded like someone still mad about the Bulls losing to the Magic in ‘95.
The 75-year-old took a dig at James’ free agency moves, which dropped him right into the laps of the championship-winning teams with star-studded supporting casts. Be it Miami’s Big Three to James’ pairings with Kyrie Irving in Cleveland and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, you name it. Jordan, on the other hand? Yeah, he has largely been with only one franchise, except for that two-year period with the Washington Wizards.
But let’s pump the brakes. It’s easy to romanticize Jordan’s era and forget he played with a Top 50 all-timer in Scottie Pippen, and a rebounding cyborg named Dennis Rodman. LeBron, on the other hand, spent his early Cavs years dishing assists to Sasha Pavlovic and hoping Larry Hughes turned into Dwyane Wade overnight. Spoiler alert: he didn’t.
And hey, this James-Jordan debate is rather polarizing and never-ending. So, which side are you on? Let us know.
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