Rich Paul clarifies his comments on potential Austin Reaves trade

LeBron James' agent addresses the controversy after publicly discussing a trade involving Austin Reaves and Jaren Jackson Jr. A dispute that required the King's intervention to ease tensions.

By@Nicolas Flamecourt

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Rich Paul clarifies his comments on potential Austin Reaves trade

Jan 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; NBA agent Rich Paul talks on the phone prior to the game between the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Credit : © Mitchell Leff-Imagn Images

Rich Paul created a media firestorm by publicly discussing a trade scenario involving Austin Reaves. LeBron James‘ agent and founder of Klutch Sports had to quickly clarify his remarks after the reactions they generated within the Lakers organization.

A hypothetical scenario that takes unexpected proportions

It all started on the Game Over podcast, where Rich Paul detailed his strategic vision for the Lakers. « If I were the Lakers, I would target the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner for Jaren Jackson Jr. If you’re building a team around Luka, you need a defensive anchor, » he explained.

In this scenario, Austin Reaves would become the centerpiece of the trade. « There’s a possibility that’s emotionally difficult because Austin (Reaves) is beloved. But it’s possible to do what’s best for the team and what’s best for Austin. Austin deserves to be well paid… Memphis would pay him without hesitation, » Paul added.

LeBron James distances himself

Facing the controversy, LeBron James was quick to distance himself from his agent’s comments. « I think you all know, Rich is his own person and what he says is not a direct reflection of me and what I think, » the King stated.

The four-time NBA champion emphasized his relationship with Reaves: « Austin knows how I feel about him. All you have to do is watch us on the bench. AR and I talk every day. He knows how I feel about him and I hope he and his team don’t think those words came from my mouth, with Rich as an intermediary. »

AUSTIN REAVES NEW CAREER-HIGH 39 PTS 🚨🚨

LEBRON IS LOVING IT AND FANS ARE BOWING DOWN!! pic.twitter.com/UiApYEsXZM

— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2025

A direct confrontation between agents

The episode took a new dimension during the Lakers–Hawks game, when Reggie Berry, Austin Reaves’ agent, went to see Rich Paul at halftime to discuss this media appearance. This direct confrontation pushed Paul to revisit his statements.

« My buddy Reggie (Berry), Austin’s (Reaves) agent, we talked about it… we talked about it and I told him: ‘Listen Reggie, you’re my guy. I want Austin to know this has nothing to do with him, because I love the player, I love the person,' » Rich Paul explained in a new episode of the Game Over podcast.

The agent tried to present his comments in a positive light: « I think it’s a compliment to AR, because he’s on a team with two future Hall of Fame members and he happens to be ‘the asset’. I’m not trying to hurt AR! »

This controversy comes less than a month before the trade deadline and illustrates the growing influence of agents in the NBA ecosystem, particularly when it involves LeBron James‘ entourage.

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