Rich Paul, LeBron James agent, Austin Reaves, Lakers trade, Austin Reaves trade
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Rich Paul talks with LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on January 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James, has evoked the wrath of the Los Angeles Lakers fanbase for suggesting that the franchise should trade Austin Reaves for Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr.
“If I was the Lakers, I’d probably be targeting the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner for Jaren Jackson,” Paul said on The Ringer’s “Game Over” podcast. “You got to figure out the package. Someway, somehow, I’d be trying to get Jaren Jackson and maybe get back GG Jackson. He’s a young player that you can develop.
“This comes with a very unemotional attachment because Austin is beloved. He’s an underdog. Here’s the thing – there’s a world where you can do what’s best for your team and do what’s best for Austin because Austin deserves to get paid.”
Lakers Fans Irate with Rich Paul
Lakers fans are furious with Paul for his suggestion.
“We can only hope that the Lakers muteRich Paul and get rid of this cancer,” wrote one fan, who believes the Lakers should instead get rid of Bronny James.
“Need rich paul banned from all podcasts and microphones forever,” wrote another fan.
“How do we tellRich Paul that Jaren Jackson Jr averages the same amount of rebounds as Austin Reaves?” fumed one fan, arguing that Jackson is an overrated defender and a horrible rebounder (career 5.5 rebounds per game) for a 6-foot-10 big man.
Even former player Chandler Parsons took serious issue with Paul’s suggestion.
“It’s a bad look and tone deaf,” Parson said of Paul’s comments.
Should Lakers Trade Austin Reaves?
Paul’s proposal makes sense from a strictly basketball perspective. Jackson Jr., a former Defensive Player of the Year, could help erase a lot of the Lakers’ issues right now, particularly their subpar rim protection and pick-and-roll defense.
However, as Paul alluded to, Reaves has formed an emotional bond with the Lakers fanbase since arriving as an undrafted guard back in 2021. He has also formed a camaraderie with Luka Doncic, with some calling the combination of Reaves and Doncic the best backcourt in the NBA. Furthermore, Lakers head coach JJ Redick is a big believer in Reaves and has strongly endorsed him as a first-time All-Star this year.
Austin Reaves Trade Possibility
Besides Paul, the likes of ex-NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins and renowned NBA analytics guru Tom Haberstroh have urged the Lakers to trade Reaves to make defensive upgrades. Cousins admittedly received “death threats” when he implored the Lakers to trade Reaves for Phoenix Suns swingman Dillon Brooks.
For what it’s worth, the Lakers apparently have no plans to trade Austin Reaves, who is due for a big payday as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is a huge fan of Reaves and fully intends to give him the bag this summer and keep him in L.A. for the long haul.
“[Jeanie Buss] is the captain of the Austin Reaves Fan Club,” Amick told FanDuel TV’s “Run it Back” earlier this month.
“And Rob Pelinka is a huge fan as well. Now, if Mark Walter [the new Lakers majority owner] sees things differently, then who knows what happens down the road.
“But, right now, all signs point to them paying Austin Reaves that massive amount coming his way this summer.”
Reaves, logging a career-high 26.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds, is eligible to sign a five-year, $241M deal with L.A. or a four-year, $178.5M deal with another team.