LOS ANGELES — Moments after the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 141-116 on Tuesday night, LeBron James made it clear that recent trade speculation voiced by his agent, Rich Paul, does not represent his personal stance.
“Rich is his own man, and what he says is not a direct reflection of me,” James told ESPN while leaving Crypto.com Arena. “If people don’t understand that, I don’t know what to tell them.”
On a recent episode of “Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul,” the Klutch Sports CEO suggested the Lakers send guard Austin Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies in a package built around expiring contracts and a 2031 or 2032 first-round pick for two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. Paul added that 19-year-old forward GG Jackson could be included as a developmental piece. The agent argued that Memphis would happily extend Reaves, calling him a potential “point guard and leading scorer” who would become the Grizzlies’ highest-paid player.
Reaves’ agent, Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, spoke with Paul near mid-court during halftime of Tuesday’s game, sources told ESPN. No details from that five-minute conversation were disclosed.
James said his relationship with Reaves—now the four-time MVP’s longest-tenured teammate in Los Angeles—has not been affected. “AR knows how I feel about him,” James said. “We talk every single day.” He also emphasized that he gives Paul no input on podcast topics: “He is his own man and that is his platform.”
It is the second time this season Paul’s podcast comments have drawn attention inside the organization. In December, he labeled the Lakers “not championship contenders,” a remark James answered by noting it was too early for postseason projections.
Before addressing the issue, the 41-year-old James produced one of his best outings of the season: 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting, 10 assists and nine rebounds, playing on consecutive nights for the first time this year after missing the season’s opening month with sciatica.
Head coach JJ Redick praised the veteran afterward. “It’s unfortunate how much is said about him,” Redick said. “Come be around him every day and see how much he cares—it’s off the charts.”
James reiterated he supports Paul’s media venture. “It’s his prerogative,” he said. “Grown men can say whatever they want.”
Source: ESPN
