Rich Paul: Top 5 current NBA players represented by the star agent

In the past few years, Rich Paul has been one of the biggest names in the NBA. And, he's not even a player. Paul is a sports agent that created his own sports management company known as Klutch Sports.

Paul founded Klutch Sports in 2012 after working under Leon Rose and the Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Paul left Rose and the CAA to form his own company, whose first client was a close friend of Paul.

Since then, Paul has signed over 22 clients (excluding his close friend) as he continues to make an impact on the league. His company is a household name and more people are joining the company as time progresses.

Paul has an array of clients signed to Klutch Sports, and some of his biggest clients are stars in the NBA. However, he also has young players, veterans, and mid-tier players. For example, players such as JR Smith, Cory Joseph, and Ben McLemore are all Klutch Sports clients. They are scattered throughout the NBA and are valuable clients to the management company.

Some of these players have connections to Paul's biggest client, as they are (former) teammates, friends, and mentees of the players. Paul has built an impressive agency with a good group of players. With that being said, here are the top five NBA players represented by Rich Paul.

#5 Draymond Green

Earlier this year, Draymond Green surprisingly signed with Klutch Sports. Green joined the company as he said he grew close with Rich Paul.

Green discussed the move in an interview with Marc Spears of The Undefeated. He spoke highly of the company and its founder. He told Spears that Klutch is a "cutting-edge company" and due to his relationship with Paul, the move happened naturally.

Green was the 35th pick of the 2012 draft. The Warriors drafted Green, and he became a key player in their success. He has helped the Warriors win three championships as he is a productive player on both ends of the floor. He is a lockdown defender that can guard multiple positions. He can also hit shots when the Warriors need him to.

Green is not a player they rely on for offense, but when they need him, he's there. Green also gives the Warriors energy when the team is lackluster. He hypes them up by always motivating him teammates, yelling/screaming when they make good plays, and by getting stops.

While his stats decreased last season, Green is still an effective player for the Warriors. He averaged 7.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. He also averaged 13.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 8.5 assists during the playoffs. While in the playoffs, Green had six triple-doubles. He tied NBA legend Magic Johnson for the second-most triple-doubles in a postseason.

Draymond Green is a valuable player for the Warriors and one of Klutch Sports' latest clients. He joins other players on this list as one of Rich Paul's best clients.

#4 Ben Simmons

Simmons is one of many Klutch Sports clients

Ben Simmons is an NBA player with a bright future. The 6-foot-10 point guard/forward was the first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft. He missed his first season due to a foot injury, but returned in the 2017-18 season and won Rookie of the Year.

Simmons is a point guard in a forward's body. His court vision and IQ allows him to find his teammates and dish the ball to them. Simmons can orchestrate the Sixers' offense for teammates such as Joel Embiid and help them get easier baskets. While he lacks a jump shot, his passing abilities make up for it.

Last season, Simmons averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. In the playoffs, he averaged 13.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and six rebounds. Simmons struggled at times during the playoffs but managed to help his team before losing to the Raptors.

Rich Paul became Simmons' agent in 2016 while Simmons was still at Louisiana State. Simmons went on to become the first pick, and now he is a critical part of the Sixers' success.

Simmons not only has a relationship with Paul but also with LeBron James. He met James at the LeBron James Skills Academy in 2014. James took note of Simmons and became a mentor to the young point guard. James and Paul started recruiting him then, and as the years went by, Simmons joined Klutch Sports.

Recently, The Sixers signed Simmons to a five-year, $170 million extension. Rich Paul broke the news to Shams Charania, and Charania reported it on Twitter.

In the upcoming season, Simmons will make $8.1 million, but his salary will jump to $29.3 million by 2020-21 due to the extension. His salary will continue to increase, and by 2024-25, he'll make $39 million. So, Simmons' contract is a significant increase from his rookie contract.

Simmons is one of Paul's biggest clients. He helped his client get the large extension, and if he stays with Klutch, Paul could do more.

#3 John Wall

When John Wall is healthy, he is one of the top point guards of the NBA. His speed and athleticism make him a threat on the offensive end, and when he wants to be, he's a solid defender. These qualities (and a bit of star power), make him an ideal client for Klutch Sports.

Wall was the first pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. Since then, Wall has played for the Wizards as they've experienced ups and downs. The Wizards are in and out of the playoffs as they battle things such as injuries and chemistry issues. The Wizards missed the playoffs last season but were the eighth seed in 2017-18. One of the biggest reasons for missing the playoffs last season was John Wall's injury.

Last season, Wall averaged 20.7 points and 8.7 assists. He played only 32 games as he dealt with a left heel injury. He was ruled out for the season in December and underwent surgery in January. He developed an infection in the incision from that surgery and also suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon.

As of now, Wall will miss the entire 2019-20 season. Wizards owner Ted Leonsis made the announcement last week. Regardless of his injury, Wall is a good player and a valuable asset to Klutch Sports.

Wall signed with Klutch Sports in 2016. He joined them after firing Dan Fegan, his previous agent and failed negotiations with Adidas. The company wanted to re-sign him, but neither side could agree. Fegan was supposed to complete the deal, but the talks ended. The two parties agreed a few years later. The agreement happened as Rich Paul and Klutch Sports played a part in getting it done. So, Wall stayed with Adidas.

Wall is one of Paul's biggest clients. However, Paul has two other big names under his agency.

#2 Anthony Davis

Paul played a part in Davis going to the Lakers

Anthony Davis is one of Paul's biggest clients. The 6-foot-10 forward is one of the best players in the league and one of the newest Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers acquired him after a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers parted ways with young players such as Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram to acquire Davis. Now, Davis joins the team he has wanted to join since requesting a trade from the Pelicans.

Davis has spent 7 years in the NBA after starting his career with the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets drafted him with the first pick of the 2012 NBA Draft. He stayed with the Hornets (who later became the Pelicans in 2013) until this summer.

In his last season with the Pelicans, Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. He played well despite asking for a trade. He finally got his wish earlier this summer.

Davis joined Klutch Sports in September of last year. He joined several current NBA players who have Paul as their agent. Davis joined Klutch Sports, who made his intention of joining the Lakers known.

When Davis (and Paul) made his trade request public, Davis was fined $50,000 by the NBA. Paul and his client received backlash for the public request, but after making Davis' plan known, he joined his desired team.

Anthony Davis joins the Lakers as they strive to become contenders. They have made several signings over the summer such as Danny Green, Jared Dudley, and DeMarcus Cousins to improve their roster. With Davis, the Lakers go from a team that missed the playoff to one of the top teams of the Western Conference. If Davis plays well, the Lakers will be one step closer to being a championship team.

While Davis requested the trade, it can be argued that Paul helped get it done. So, Paul helped his client reach his desired goal.

#1 LeBron James

LeBron James is the biggest NBA star in the world. So, it only makes sense that he is Rich Paul's biggest client.

James started his NBA career in 2003 when the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him with the first pick of the draft. The high-school phenom (and hometown kid) came to Cleveland and instantly made an impact. In his first season, James averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. He won Rookie of the Year while competing against draftmates such as Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. James put the league on notice as he led the Cleveland Cavaliers for seven years.

Then, James left the Cavaliers in 2010 and joined his friend, former rival, and draftmate Dwyane Wade. The pair were also joined by center Chris Bosh who was also a member of the 2003 draft class. The trio went on to win two championships in four seasons.

After playing with the Heat, James returned to the Cavs in 2014. He led the Cavs to their first-ever championship in 2016 and helped them get to the Finals for four straight seasons.

Last season, James joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year deal. His season consisted of ups and downs as the Lakers struggled. James also dealt with a groin injury. Now, James and the Lakers are contenders as they acquired Anthony Davis earlier this summer. So, James is right back in the playoff picture after missing them last season.

Rich Paul became James' agent in 2012 after James left his previous agent (Leon Rose) earlier that year.

James and Paul were friends before they joined forces. They met when a teenage James bought a jersey from Paul at an airport. They kept in touch, and Paul became one of James' closest friends. Since then, Paul started Klutch Sports and manages not only (his good friend) James but other players throughout the league. James and Paul have a great relationship and continue to accomplish great things together.`