The most lucrative player-agent relationships in NBA history

Agent changes are common in the NBA. Sometimes, however, the bond becomes so strong and successful that it turns into a lifelong friendship. Here are the most profitable agent–player partnerships in NBA history. Unsurprisingly, all but one are still active, as NBA salaries have soared over the past 10 years.

1. LeBron James x Rich Paul

Together since 2012-13

NBA earnings: $491,406,013

It should come as no surprise who checks in at No. 1 here, as LeBron James is the highest-paid player of all-time, and he’s been repped by the same agent for almost a decade-and-a-half at this point. Rich Paul’s relationship with James has helped turn him into one of the top agents in the game, representing the likes of Anthony Davis, Darius Garland and Tyrese Maxey, along with James. Paul ranks No. 2 on our agents page in client salaries.

2. Kevin Durant x Rich Kleiman

Together since 2012-13

NBA earnings: $476,815,233

If Kevin Durant signs another big deal and James retires after this season, there’s a chance Durant and Rich Kleiman, his agent since 2012-13, will become the highest-grossing player-agent tandem in league history. By the way, Durant has been Kleiman’s sole NBA client for many years now.

3. Stephen Curry x Jeff Austin/Alex Saratsis

Together since 2009-10

NBA earnings: $473,212,715

Represented by the same agency since his arrival in the NBA, Stephen Curry, the third-highest paid player in league history, and his agents, Jeff Austin and Alex Saratsis, form the third-highest-grossing agent-player tandem ever. In 2021, Austin helped Curry broker the deal that allowed him to become the first player to sign multiple $200 million-plus contracts in NBA history. That 2021 contract that Curry signed (a four-year, $215 million deal with Golden State) gave him the largest annual average salary on an NBA contract ever at the time, at $54 million per year. That record has since been smashed, of course, by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will be paid $79.0 million in 2030-31, but it was an impressive feat nonetheless.

4. Paul George x Aaron Mintz

Together since 2010-11

NBA earnings: $407,966,827

NBA star swingman Paul George has been represented by agent Aaron Mintz since his young days in the NBA. Mintz is one of the top agents in the game, ranking third in players’ salaries, and repping the likes of George, Trae Young, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton. George is one of just 20 players in league history to sign a $200 million-plus contract, a feat he and Mintz accomplished in 2024 when the star forward signed with Philadelphia.

5. Chris Paul x Steve Heumann

Together since 2005-06

NBA earnings: $404,794,538

Had Chris Paul‘s prime come a decade later, he and agent Steve Heumann would surely rank higher on this list, an easy assumption to make based on the state of modern NBA salaries. Huemann ranks eighth in NBA player salaries, as he reps other highly-compensated players, like Julius Randle and Andrew Wiggins, along with Paul. The biggest contract Huemann ever negotiated for Paul came in the summer of 2018, when the future Hall of Famer agreed to a four-year, $159.7 million deal with the Rockets.

6. Damian Lillard x Aaron Goodwin

Together since 2012-13

NBA earnings: $366,619,366

Damian Lillard’s renowned loyalty didn’t just extend to the Portland Trail Blazers but also to his agent, Aaron Goodwin, as Lillard has had him as his agent for his entire time in the NBA. The duo has made a lot of money together, as they are the sixth-most lucrative player-agent tandem in league history, with Lillard earning nearly $367 million during his time in the league.

7. Bradley Beal x Mark Bartelstein

Geoff Burke - IMAGN — Geoff Burke – IMAGN

Together since 2012-13

NBA earnings: $344,509,803

Three-time All-Star Bradley Beal is the 14th-highest paid player in NBA history in guaranteed salaries as of today, according to our records. He and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, also form the seventh-best-paid player-agent tandem ever. Bartlestein did such a great job as Beal’s agent that he even got the former Gator standout a much-discussed no-trade clause in one of his later contracts, an honor that Beal shared only with LeBron James at the time, and that is quite unique in the NBA, at least when Bird Rights aren’t involved. And in Beal’s case, they weren’t.

8. Kevin Garnett x Andy Miller

Together from 1999-00 until 2016-17

NBA earnings: $343,464,278

Prior to the modern uptick in NBA player salaries, Kevin Garnett spent many years as the highest-paid player in NBA history. In fact, as of the summer of 2024, Garnett remained the second-highest player ever… when adjusted for inflation. Garnett and former super agent Andy Miller form the eighth-highest paid player-agent duo in league history to this day, an even more impressive accomplishment when you factor in the era in which Garnett played. Garnett’s biggest contract came in 1997 when the Hall of Famer signed for six years and $126 million with Minnesota, an almost-unheard-of number at the time. Nowadays, that’s almost one-third of a modern max contract, but still, in the ’90s, that was a huge figure for one NBA deal.

9. Giannis Antetokounmpo x Alex Saratsis

Together since 2013-14

NBA Earnings: $339,006,742

Former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and agent Alex Saratsis check in at No. 9 among the highest-paid tandems in NBA history, with a chance to move up the rankings over the coming years, considering Antetokounmpo remains squarely in his prime. Antetokounmpo’s biggest contract came in 2020, when he signed for five years and $228 million with Milwaukee. Since then, Antetokounmpo has signed a second huge deal, a three-year, $175 million extension with the Bucks, and you can bet there will be another just like that coming up as soon as the Greek Freak is allowed to sign a new contract.

10. Jimmy Butler x Bernie Lee

Together since 2017-18

NBA earnings: $327,438,232

Jimmy Butler switched agents in 2016, going from being represented by Happy Walters to Bernie Lee, and the duo has been together ever since. That means Butler and Lee could rank even higher on this list, as one of Butler’s major contracts – the five-year, $92 million deal he got from the Chicago Bulls in the summer of 2015 – came when he was still repped by Walters. Even so, Butler and Lee rank just inside the Top 10 here, courtesy of Lee negotiating three $100-million plus contracts for Butler (as well as various high-profile trade demands).

11. Jrue Holiday x Jason Glushon

Together since 2009-10

NBA earnings: $322,553,591

Somewhat sneakily, Jrue Holiday has enjoyed a very lucrative career, ranking among the Top 25 highest-paid players ever. That helps explain his high placement in this exercise, as Holiday has been represented by agent Jason Glushon since entering the league. Glushon also represents other highly compensated players today, such as Jaylen Brown and Franz Wagner. Impressively, Holiday has signed three contracts worth at least $125 million.

12. DeMar DeRozan x Aaron Goodwin

Together since 2009-10

NBA earnings: $306,575,770

DeMar DeRozan and Lillard share an agent, as Aaron Goodwin represents the Compton native as well – another very well-compensated player throughout his career. DeRozan has had the same representation since entering the league, signing a $139 million contract, an $85 million deal, and a $74 million contract, all negotiated by Goodwin.

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