LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Rich Paul, Jeanie Buss Lakers drama, Bronny James, LeBron James Lakers future, Rich Paul quotes, LeBron James comments Jeanie Buss, Shams Charania LeBron James
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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.
The recent report fromESPN’s Baxter Holmes on Los AngelesLakers‘ active owner Jeanie Buss and her relationship with her family, the franchise, and specifically with LeBron James, hascaught fire in the NBA world.
Baxter claimed the relationship between Buss and James was, and is not, what hasbeen publicly reported, saying that she once discussed the idea of trading the star to the Los Angeles Clippers, and alsosaid hedidn’t feel Jameswasn’t grateful enough when the team drafted his son, Bronny James.
While both the star and Buss have made comments denying the report,James’ agent, the ever-outspoken Rich Paul, continues to discuss his thoughts on the issue.
In a new episode of his podcast, Game Over, Paul, for the secondstraight time,once again denied the report from Holmes that detailed a messy relationship between theLakers’ chief decision-maker and his client, James.
“We have been treated great, we will continue tobe treated great,”Paul said. “I am so happy that Jeanie was able to do whatshe’s done and the value of the team went up.”
Rich Paul On The LeBron James, Jeanie Buss, Lakers Drama
On his podcast, Paul had previously stated that hedidn’t care aboutBaxter’s report, denying the claim of tension that the article indicated.
“Who gives (expletive),”Paul saidon a previous episode. “Idon’t, right? Youdon’t knowwhat’s true,what’s not true. But wherethere’s smoke,there’s fire.I seen some of thestuff that came out about it and obviously theytalked about different scenarios in terms of power that we may have…And there (expletive) sure should be appreciation for a guy like LeBron.”
Lakers Nation
Rich Paul gave his thoughts on the report surrounding Jeanie Buss’ feelings toward LeBron James.
In his latest episode, Paul went on to continue his denial of the claims written by Baxter.He again took the approach that the Lakers shouldbe appreciative of James, himself, and everythingthey’ve done for the franchise.
“I don’t need a thank you becauseI’m shown a thank you every time I walk in the building,”Paul added. “It’s not about what you say,it’s about what you do.”
In a statement to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Buss herself also denied the claims of her tumultuous relationship with James.
“It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has tobe pulled into my family drama,”she wrote. “To say thatitwasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”
Sam Amick
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss issued this statement to @TheAthletic in response to today’s ESPN story, which includes reporting about her relationship with LeBron James.
“It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has to be pulled
Additionally, when asked about his thoughts on it all, James gave a blunt response.
“Quite frankly, Idon’t really care about articles. Idon’t care about stories. Idon’t care about podcasts and all that type of (expletive). Itdon’t bother me,”he said, per Dave McMenamin. “Idon’t care about an article. Idon’t care how someone feel about me.If you know me personally,then youknow whatI’m about. These guys know whatI’m about andthat’s all that matters. I could care less how someone feel about me.”
LeBron James Lakers Future Extremely Uncertain
While all parties involved have either denied orthrown Baxter’s reportto the wayside, questions aboutJames’ future with the Lakers have come into seriousquestion over the past few days.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, NBA insider Shams Charania said that ‘the end is near‘between the player and franchise.
“The reality of what we have right here is the end of a relationship in terms of LeBron James and the Lakers,”he stated. “Whether that comes at the end of this season if LeBron James decides as a free agent to sign somewhere else or he decides to retire or he decides to come back for one more year and decide he wants to retire as a Laker…The end is near however you wanna slice it.”
Afterpicking up his player option, Jamesis set to become a free agent this summer, and it previously remained unknownif he would resign with the team, headsomewhere else in free agency, or retire.
When asked if the Lakers are the team he wanted to finish the season with, James gave little clarity on that question in his response.
“I‘m good.I’m good,”he said. “I’m good.”
Dave McMenamin
Q from @DanWoikeSports: “Is this where you want to finish the season?” A from LeBron James: “I’m good. I’m good. … I’m good.”
Writing for Bleacher Report, Grant Hughes stated that, with all the signs, this could be the end for James in Los Angeles.
“If the unionis already broken,there’s really no reason for James or anyone who represents him to hold back. Paul might have said exactly the same thing years ago, when James was still in apowerful position.It’s just that there are no consequences anymore,”he wrote. “Odds are, this is not how LeBron wants to end his career. The trouble is,he’s not going to find another situation where he wields the level of influence he did with the Lakers.”