April 1, 2019.The looming date had been circled on Marcell Scott’s calendar for months, likely years.
In December of 2020, when promising New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson fired super-agent Rich Paul and signed with agents Thaddeus Foucher and Joseph T. Smith of Wasserman Media Group, it raised some eyebrows in the world of basketball representation, and for all the wrong reasons. Robinson had been in the NBA for only two seasons, yet was already on agent No. 6, an ignominious and likely unprecedented distinction. For onlookers – especially Knickerbocker fans – it was another reason to speculate as to what the heck was going on behind the scenes of Robinson’s agent carousel. The Knicks’ defensive stalwart was hiring and firing reps like he was running a telemarketing call center.
For Marcell Scott, however, it was a time to celebrate. Steering Robinson towards his new agency was the culmination of years of patience and ominous pursuit. Early on in the process, the task was simple: cater to Robinson’s every whim and stick to him like a leech for as long as possible. If Robinson needed a friend or big brother, Scott would assume the role. When Robinson had an urge to get shots up late at night, Scott would oblige, moonlighting as both cameraman and rebounder during their sessions in New Orleans during the offseason and sometimes in New York during the NBA season. When someone had to criticize the Knicks coaching staff for not starting a raw rookie who hadn’t played a minute of college hoops, Scott would be the mouthpiece that would provide the controversial soundbites that the notorious Manhattan sports media feasted on.
Marcell Scott was the Yes Man Mitch wanted and needed.
And there was one very important component of Scott’s scheme that had to be carefully observed: when it came time to influence Robinson’s decision to sign with a new agent, he had to slow-play his hand.
At least until April 1, 2019.
