Chuck Texas wrote:my guess is the 2nd meeting with the Lakers was probably a favor to his agent--especially in light of the reports that got out about LMA hating the Lakers' presentation. His agent is going to have to work with the Lakers in the future and probably wanted to keep that relationship in a good place.
I think people really underestimate just how much influence these agents have. I mean we might as well call Dallas the Fegans instead of the Mavericks for instance. I could easily see LMA giving the Lakers a 2nd meeting as a favor to his agent. I mean he met with several teams I don't think he was ever seriously considering--again including my Mavs. I don't think poorly of him for it. Just like I didn't with Dwight or Melo or Deron or any of the big-time FA's we struck out on.
Regardless of whether Jordan signs with Dallas or re-signs with Los Angeles the actions of the last few hours have proven you correct that Jordan’s agent was pushing him hard to sign with Dallas.
Agents perform a vital service as most athletes are similar to most people in being god awful negotiators. Agents still should act on their client’s desires if it disagrees with what the agent perceives to be in their best interest. They should urge them to reconsider if their goal is illogical but it is the player’s decision in the end.
In this case it appears Fagan was determined to get Jordan in Dallas regardless of whether Deandre wanted to go there in the first place.
Los Angeles remains a legitimate contender if they can get him to return. Los Angeles not making the CF the last few years is mainly a product of them getting brutally unlucky in their post-season draw. I ran the number on this a while ago and no team in NBA history has been more unlucky with regards to caliber of teams they face in the first few rounds after taking into account regular season performance. Despite this they have not been decisively outplayed in any series over the last two years and knocked out the team that won the title the year before and the title the year after.
This club could win a title with Deandre. It is a shame they get labeled pretenders due to the lopsided conferences. It reminds of when people would sleep on Dallas for most of the last decade.