LeBron James has earned a polarizing reputation for getting his teammates traded and for shaping his teams’ rosters.
James’ agent Rich Paul has now set the record straight, rubbishing claims that the 41-year-old has that kind of sway.
Rich Paul Denies Claims LeBron James Gets Teammates Traded
Over his 23 seasons in the NBA, James has established himself as one of the most influential players in the league. He has won the NBA championship with three teams and remains an elite player at 41.
James’ longevity and influence have fostered the perception that he dictates the trades his teams make. This narrative surrounding James’ front-office influence has also led some of his teammates to play under intense pressure.
However, Paul made it clear on the “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman that his biggest client does not hold that kind of sway.
“I’ve been a part of situations where no matter what happens, someone will say ‘oh, LeBron had to want him traded.’ No, not really. I’ve been in situations where he didn’t and I know for a fact he’s like ‘no! Please don’t do that.’ But things happen…. The star player sometimes gets blamed and he might not even agree with it but he doesn’t really have the say,” Paul said.
James has been through many highs and lows during his time as an NBA player. His drive and intensity mean that he often holds his teammates to the same standards. Add to that the close relationship between James and one of the league’s most influential agents, Paul, and it is certainly easy to see why a perception of him trading teammates has been built over the years.
Meanwhile, speculation continues over James’ future as he weighs his options amid unrestricted free agency. The expectation is that he will return to the NBA for a 24th season, but uncertainty remains over his team.
The Los Angeles Lakers are widely expected to offer James a contract extension, but the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers could also emerge as possible options if he were to consider a move to another franchise.
In the recently concluded season, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game to help the Lakers clinch the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 23.2 points per game but was not able to lead the Lakers past the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
