LeBron’s agent takes aim at the Lakers

The back-and-forth drama surrounding LeBron James has a familiar feel to it. Now in his 23rd NBA season and approaching his 41st birthday on December 30, he’s not about to change his operating style — for better or worse. His on-court level remains a historic anomaly in any athletic context, but his behind-the-scenes maneuvering to get what he wants has long been one of the most criticized elements of his career. And through that famously tight inner circle, James continues to leak thoughts and frustrations on a near-daily basis, using them as pressure points when needed. Which is why, when Rich Paul speaks — the power broker who represents LeBron and many others — it lands as if LeBron himself were talking.

Paul slams the Lakers

“I don’t think the Lakers are contenders. I don’t think they’re good enough to reach the Western Conference finals. Their style of play is easy to defend in the playoffs,” Paul said on Max Kellerman’s podcast. He also argued — “with all due respect to DeAndre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes” — that the King should be playing center if the Lakers want to maximize their upside. And, to top it off, Paul floated the idea that Austin Reaves should come off the bench as a sixth man to strengthen the second unit. This about a player who, through 20 games — all of them starts — is averaging 28.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists on 51 percent shooting and 37 percent from three. No comment.

What does LeBron James want?

Paul’s remarks can be interpreted in two very different ways. The first is the obvious one: another mini-tantrum meant to signal dissatisfaction, the suggestion that LeBron isn’t thrilled about being pushed into the background now that Luka Doncic holds the keys to the franchise. The second, a more generous reading: that LeBron sees a real path to a fifth championship and is pushing Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office to finish the job with the roster — because the obstacles are daunting. The Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets, Kevin Durant’s Rockets, and, ultimately, an Oklahoma City Thunder team that’s rewriting the league. The Thunder have opened the season 23-1, look capable of repeating as champions and are even threatening the Warriors’ iconic 73-9 record from 2015-16.

The Lakers themselves are actually doing just fine (17-6, second in the West with the same record as Denver). Luka Doncic is putting up MVP-level numbers, whether or not that sits comfortably — we really don’t know — with LeBron. And the NBA Cup looms, offering James another chance to burnish his legend after winning the tournament in its inaugural year. But any way you slice it, it’s obvious that Paul’s comments are not random, and that LeBron’s modus operandi remains unchanged. Given the career he’s had, perhaps it’s understandable. The constants of his journey have held firm across time and circumstance. And one of them is this: when Rich Paul speaks, it’s as if LeBron James were speaking himself.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.