LeBron James publicly separated himself from his agent Rich Paul‘s recent suggestion that the Los Angeles Lakers should trade guard Austin Reaves, emphasizing that Paul’s opinions don’t reflect his own views. The clarification came following the Lakers’ 141-116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.
“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 told ESPN. “And I hope people know that.”
Paul proposed on his podcast “Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul” that Los Angeles should swap Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies for two-time All-Star center Jaren Jackson Jr. The Klutch Sports founder suggested the move would provide roster balance before the Lakers face a decision on offering Reaves a five-year, $241 million maximum extension this summer.
Paul’s proposed deal would include expiring contracts and either the Lakers’ 2031 or 2032 first-round pick to acquire Jackson and developmental forward GG Jackson. He argued the trade would benefit both parties, allowing Memphis to make Reaves their highest-paid player while giving the Lakers a 26-year-old anchor at center.
“There’s a world where you can do what’s best for your team, and do what’s best for Austin,” Paul said on the podcast. “Because Austin deserves to get paid.”
James told ESPN he had no involvement in Paul’s media venture and doesn’t consult with him about podcast topics. The four-time champion stressed his strong relationship with Reaves, his longest-tenured Lakers teammate.
“AR knows how I feel about him. All you got to do is look at us on the bench,” James said. “Me and AR talk every single day.”
One of Reaves’ agents, Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, approached Paul at halftime of Tuesday’s game for a five-minute conversation about the trade proposal, according to sources.
James delivered one of his finest performances of the season before addressing the controversy, scoring 31 points with 10 assists and 9 rebounds. The 41-year-old played on the second night of a back-to-back for the first time this season.
“Rich has his perspective of what he sees, I have my perspective,” James told ESPN. “I’m a grown man, he’s a grown man and I think people should realize that grown men can say whatever the f— they want to say.”