The high-profile agent of LeBron James deflected the narratives of the ESPN report that revealed Jeanie Buss' frustration with the Lakers' superstar.
Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rich Paul finally set the record straight on ESPN's report that highlights the frustration of Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss with LeBron James.
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In his Game Over podcast with co-host Max Kellerman, the prominent sports agent dismissed the narratives that the viral article was trying to tell, emphasizing that he, James and the rest of their camp felt great since their arrival in the franchise nearly eight years ago.
“There’s an article written every day. Who gives a sh*t. I don’t. You don’t know what’s true what’s not true. I seen some stuff that came out and obviously they talked about different scenarios in terms of the power we have may have," Paul argued.
"The article talked about there’s an issue with LeBron and Klutch having too much power. ... I’m just saying that you don’t know if any of this stuff is true. What I know is from the time we got in L.A. we’ve been treated great. There was a championship won. We played Rummikub in the bubble. Had a great time, lunch everyday. When people see things going well they try to poke holes and try to manipulate relationships."
The ESPN article by Baxter Holmes uncovered Buss' reported agitation about James. It was revealed that Buss bristled at how James is being seen as a "savior" for the Lakers and the "outsized ego" that the four-time MVP has.
Buss also complained about how James and his agency, Klutch Sports, have made significant influence across the organization. Following the failed Russell Westbrook trade, Buss was displeased regarding LeBron distancing himself from the accountability of the deal.
After the 2021-22 season, Buss privately considered not extending James’ contract and even exploring a trade, with the Clippers mentioned as a potential destination. And when the Lakers selected Bronny James with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 Draft, Buss felt LeBron should have shown more gratitude.
As such, Paul made it clear that the article has been disguised as propaganda to disrupt James and the Lakers' ongoing run.
"In a relationship, there’s going to be some type of annoyance at some point. That’s part of it, but I like to focus on the things that were done well and done great. Every year, you’re fighting to reach a common goal. When you have the level of guys I have, that relationship a lot of times becomes a partnership. There’s people that are very envious of that partnership," Paul said.
"We're not falling for that, nobody's falling for that, I'm not falling for that. I'm appreciative of what was [achieved]. The last seven to eight years have been great. We won. There’s nothing to talk about there.”
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