According to multiple sources, a major motivating factor in the Los Angeles Lakers' decision to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is because he is represented by Rich Paul.
Paul is also the agent of LeBron James, who the Lakers expect to pursue during 2018 free agency.
The Lakers will be able to communicate with Paul throughout the season and Dave McMenamin writes "it will all be protected under the Caldwell-Pope prism."
Caldwell-Pope was signed by the Lakers on a one-year, $18 million deal after the Detroit Pistons rescinded their qualifying offer to him.
The Lakers were fined $500,000 by the NBA this week for a tampering violation concerning Paul George, who will also be a free agent in 2018.