Report: Rich Paul ‘Implored’ Lakers And Warriors To Halt LeBron James Trade Talks

There’s undoubtedly some truth to the reports that the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors discussed a LeBron James trade during the season. No less than James addressed the rumors.

But as James said, those talks didn’t get very far — and his agent, Rich Paul, may have played a role in why they didn’t, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

“Sources say Paul implored both teams to scrap the concept — despite some owner-to-owner dialogue between the Warriors’ Joe Lacob and the Lakers’ Jeanie Buss and (Draymond Green‘s) determination to lobby James to push for relocation to the Bay Area — largely because he wanted to insulate James from potential backlash over switching teams for the fourth time in his career,” Stein wrote.

Talk of James potentially teaming up with Warriors star Stephen Curry has picked up on social media in recent weeks, thanks to the two of them leading Team USA to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

But a source told Hoops Wire last week a James and Curry pairing will never happen in the NBA.

“Did (unnamed TV analyst) really say something about LeBron and Steph teaming up someday? That will never happen,” the source said. “In fact, they will never be on the same team again. Cool Olympic run for sure. But those two as teammates is over for all eternity.”

James and Curry faced each other in four straight NBA Finals in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. They have become close after being rivals for many years. 

“The game of basketball don’t last forever,” James told The Athletic. “You don’t want to waste the opportunity to be able to have a relationship with someone. … A lot of y’all maybe grew up in the Bird-Magic era and we shouldn’t like each other, but I’m also (aware) enough to know that Isiah (Thomas) and Magic hugged and kissed each other on the floor too because it was just mutual respect. They say Michael never talked to any of his opponents, but I’m also smart enough to know that him and Charles (Barkley) had a lot of conversations during the ’93 finals and also played golf against each other. So I don’t want to lose those moments (with Curry).”

James and Curry have combined to win eight titles, six MVPs and five Finals MVPs.

NBA source: “Did (unnamed TV analyst) really say something about LeBron and Steph teaming up someday? That will never happen. In fact, they will never be on the same team again. Cool Olympic run for sure. But those two as teammates is over for all eternity.”

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) August 13, 2024