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Rich Paul and his recent podcast comments have sent shockwaves through the Los Angeles Lakers organization, and now, a league executive has unloaded on the Klutch Sports founder for what he called a major misstep.
Paul suggested the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr. He also openly stated that the Lakers are not championship contenders as currently constructed.
The comments immediately drew internal frustration, and according to Jovan Buha, those feelings have only intensified behind closed doors.
Now, an executive has spoken out about the agent.
“I have no idea what Rich is doing,” the NBA executive told Lakers Daily. “We have never seen an agent for a star player have a podcast while that star player is still playing and say such outlandish things. Are the Lakers contenders? Hell no. But you don’t say that out loud. Now everyone on the Lakers is wondering if LeBron is saying that behind the scenes.
“And the Austin-Jaren trade idea is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard anyone say. Rich is smarter than this. I don’t know why he’s doing this. You heard Jake [LaRavia] say a couple of weeks ago that there’s a disconnect in the locker room. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s referring to Rich’s comments.
“Everyone knows LeBron loves Austin, so why is Rich saying this? He has ruined whatever good vibes the Lakers had. This team will never recover from this. It’s going to get ugly.”
Paul represents four Lakers players – LeBron James, Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Adou Thiero, which has only amplified the tension surrounding his remarks.
Within the organization, there is concern that his public criticism has created unnecessary noise during a season already defined by inconsistency and injuries.
READ MORE: Lakers Frustrated by Rich Paul’s Podcast Commentary: Report
