Lakers’ LeBron James Reacts to Agent Rich Paul’s Comments About Potential Austin Reaves Trade
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James distanced himself from comments by his agent, Rich Paul, regarding a possible trade involving teammate Austin Reaves.
“I think you all know by now, Rich is his own man and what Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel,” James said to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “And I hope people know that. I hope people know that and if they’re not sensible to know that, then I don’t know what to tell them.”
On a recent episode of Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul, the agent suggested the Lakers should pursue a deal for Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr., with Reaves going the other way.
The comments didn’t go down well internally in Los Angeles.
On a live stream after the Lakers’ 124-112 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, insider Jovan Buha reported at the 47:06 mark that “people have not been happy with that pod.”
Having the agent for one player float trade ideas involving that player’s teammates always risks creating some blowback.
This is an even more delicate situation because Paul has long been perceived to enjoy more influence with the Lakers than a typical agent. Passive-aggression has long been a theme for James as well, so fans naturally wondered whether Paul was effectively speaking for his client.
McMenamin reported that Reggie Berry, who represents Reaves, “approached Paul” during Los Angeles’ 141-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.
“The two spoke for more than five minutes and the topic of conversation was Paul’s public trade scenario regarding Reaves, sources told ESPN,” per McMenamin.
James reiterated the positive feelings he has toward Reaves.
“AR knows how I feel about him,” he said. “All you got to do is look at us on the bench. Me and AR talk every single day. So, AR knows how I feel about him and I hope AR — or his camp — don’t look at me and think this is words from me are coming through Rich.”
This is a pitfall to Paul having a podcast where he can weigh in on NBA-related topics.
The Lakers could clearly use an upgrade or two, and Reaves is their biggest trade asset. Los Angeles isn’t going to move Luka Dončić, and James has a no-trade clause.
Plenty of fans and media personalities have engineered deals involving Reaves and a marquee target from another team. Paul isn’t alone in that regard.
Those other people aren’t one of the NBA’s most powerful agents, though.
