LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Austin Reaves #15 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look down court during a 111-102 Lakers win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
The Los Angeles Lakers scored an impressive win over the Atlanta Hawks last night, but LeBron James was asked about a story outside of the game. LeBron’s longtime best friend and agent Rich Paul has been expressing his opinion more often lately on his podcast with Max Kellerman. Paul has made multiple comments about the Lakers improving by trading fan favorite Austin Reaves for a better defender or multiple assets for greater depth.
James told the following to ESPN about these comments being tied to him:
“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. 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.”
Some Lakers fans took exception to someone that closely associated with LeBron going out of his way to suggest trading the breakout star. Paul pitched the idea of the Lakers sending Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for big man Jaren Jackson. James is making it clear here that Paul and his podcast have nothing to do with him or his opinions.
Why LeBron Was Asked About This
Another interesting aspect of this story focuses on the future of the Lakers. Reaves and James both will need new contracts soon, and the team already has superstar Luka Doncic locked into a massive deal. Many believe LeBron could be the odd man out as a veteran since the franchise is now focusing on building a new roster around Doncic.
Paul’s comment may imply that trading Reaves both gets them more pieces to contend for a title now and gives James a better path towards remaining in Los Angeles on a valuable contract.
LeBron is also just a massive name to see fans caring about what his friends say about teammates more than the average NBA player. Paul must know to some extent that controversy and drama will come from his public comments expressing that the Lakers should trade Reaves.
LeBron Still Supports Austin Reaves
The incredible season for Reaves before his injury time out appeared to be trending towards an All-Star appearance. James has been one of the biggest supporters for Reaves going back to the latter’s earlier moments fighting for any minutes in the Lakers rotation.
Following respective four-year stints with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron provided more of a long-term commitment to the Lakers. A deeper investment in player development saw James vouching for Reaves as someone deserving of playing time. The two have strong chemistry that has led to success together.
Any decision on the Lakers’ future will come from management and their priority on what they feel will lead to an NBA Championship. Doncic is the main piece, but everything else will be influenced by the team construction around him. Paul’s comments are valid, but they just create more discussion around the Lakers making a franchise-changing decision.