Rich Paul, Austin Reaves
Rich Paul is not backing down from the conversation he helped ignite, but he is making one thing clear, he never intended for Austin Reaves to feel targeted.
Since the launch of the podcast Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul, the Klutch Sports CEO has drawn attention for his blunt commentary about the Los Angeles Lakers. Paul openly questioned the team’s contender status, criticized organizational culture, and floated hypothetical roster moves. Those discussions escalated when he suggested the Lakers could explore trading Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr., a scenario that quickly sparked pushback.
That reaction turned public when ESPN reported that Reaves’ agent, Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, approached Paul during halftime of the Lakers’ game against the Atlanta Hawks to discuss the repeated trade talk, silver Screen and Roll reports. The two spoke courtside for several minutes, signaling that the comments had crossed into uncomfortable territory for Reaves’ representation.
Rich Paul Says Trade Talk Was Not Personal
Paul addressed the situation head-on during a recent episode of the podcast, stressing that his comments never came from a place of disrespect toward Reaves.
“My guy Reggie who is Austin’s agent, we talked,” Paul said. “I want Austin to know this is not about Austin Reaves because I love the player, love the person. I’m not trying to mess up anything with AR. This was a hypothetical take. Not something that was going to happen.”
Paul framed the idea as a basketball discussion rooted in roster construction, not a push to move Reaves out of Los Angeles. He argued that Reaves’ value itself made him part of the conversation, especially alongside two future Hall of Famers in LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
According to Paul, the scenario could have positioned Reaves for long-term financial security elsewhere while also helping the Lakers address roster balance. He even suggested Memphis would have built around Reaves as a primary option, including paying him accordingly.
Reaves is entering a contract year and reportedly seeks around $30 million annually. Paul acknowledged that reality, but emphasized his comments were never meant to complicate Reaves’ standing with the franchise or his negotiations.
Paul Says Agent Criticism Comes With the Territory
Paul also made it clear that he does not expect special treatment within NBA circles. In fact, he said criticism from rival agents has been part of his career for more than a decade.
“One thing I wouldn’t do, I wouldn’t care,” Paul said when asked how he would feel if other agents spoke publicly about his own clients. He described years of competing agencies questioning his loyalty to players while recruiting against Klutch, often accusing him of prioritizing LeBron James above all else.
Paul said he has always handled that criticism the same way, by keeping quiet and maintaining professional relationships, even with those who openly challenge him behind the scenes.
As the conversation grew louder, LeBron James felt compelled to clarify his own position. Speaking to ESPN after the Lakers’ win over Atlanta, James distanced himself from Paul’s trade opinions.
“Rich is his own man and what Rich says is not a direct reflection of me,” James said. He added that Reaves understands where he stands with him, pointing to their daily interactions and chemistry on the bench.
James also noted that he had no involvement in Paul’s decision to launch the podcast or its topics, reinforcing that the platform belongs solely to Paul.
For now, Paul appears comfortable standing in the middle of the storm. He addressed the backlash, clarified his intent, and doubled down on his right to speak freely, even when the conversation gets uncomfortable.