Rich Paul, the Klutch Sports co-founder and agent of LeBron James, has found himself in the news recently due to comments made on his new podcast “Game Over” with Max Kellerman. Most recently, Paul shared his thoughts that the Los Angeles Lakers should trade guard Austin Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr. as he feels the big man would be a better fit long-term alongside superstar guard Luka Doncic.
The comments caused a frenzy and even
James himself had to come out and make it clear that Paul’s comments were not a reflection on how he feels about his Lakers teammate. And apparently these comments are not sitting well with the Lakers organization as a whole, according to
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha:
“I can confirm that people have not been happy. I’m not gonna go more specific than that, but I would just say people have not been happy with that pod and some of the comments… There was the ’they’re not contenders’ and that one thing, and even some people inside that building might believe that at the core if you gave them truth serum. It’s one thing to think that privately, one thing to put that out publicly. But then some of the stuff that has come out since, most notably I think recently this whole trade Austin Reaves for Jaren Jackson Jr., who basically averages the same amount of rebounds and that would’ve been an interesting trade a year ago, but Austin Reaves is just a straight up better player than Jaren Jackson Jr. and has more trade value than Jaren Jackson Jr. So if Memphis wants to throw in multiple picks and GG Jackson, then maybe that’s a conversation. But the general framework of JJJ for Austin Reaves straight up does not make any sense, in my opinion, from the Lakers side… But it’s been some interesting comments coming out of that because that is uncommon, for an agent to commenting on his player’s team to this degree and saying basically I would trade this guy, especially a guy who is sort of in contract competition for his client.”
As Buha noted, there were likely some who internally believe that the Lakers aren’t contenders as currently constructed, but it’s something you just don’t say out in public and that is their issue. And while Jackson is undoubtedly a talented player, he has been struggling this season and doesn’t help fix the Lakers’ perimeter defensive issues.
Paul has the right to say whatever he wants on his podcast, but he must understand that when he speaks on the Lakers, where his biggest client plays, those words could cause some issues between himself, LeBron and the entire organization.
Austin Reaves’ agent spoke with Rich Paul at halftime of Lakers game vs. Hawks
If the Lakers aren’t happy with Paul’s comments then Reaves and his team surely didn’t care for them either and in fact,
Reaves’ agent reportedly had a conversation with Paul during the team’s recent victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
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