Rich Paul Asked Lakers, Warriors To Not Do LeBron James Trade

[RealGM Wiretap]

Rumors broke last season of blockbuster trade talks that would have seen LeBron James traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Golden State Warriors. It was reported at the time that talks were serious enough that Lakers and Warriors ownership were involved in the discussion. In the end, the Lakers would have moved James only had he requested a deal got done to send him to the Warriors.

Ultimately, no agreement was reached and James stayed in Los Angeles. That may have been in part because James' agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports was against the idea of a trade to the Bay Area. The super-agent asked both sides to not consider a deal. Paul reportedly wanted to shield his superstar client from the criticism that would have come from changing teams for a fourth time.

James previously left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010. James then returned to the Cavs in 2014. The superstar forward then left Cleveland a second time for the Lakers in 2018.

Via Marc Stein/The Stein Line

[TheCage4]

Thanks Dad.

[Rapsdaman]

I understand the concerns but at this point lebron has reached uncharted territory, sure some may use that as criticism but i think most would welcome an additional contender to the league and if they win another ring it would only add to both their legacies as theyve already won multiple times being the main guy so coming together especially this late in their careers would actually be something very interesting to watch and think many including myself would be rooting for then

[the_process]

Deleted

[alienpick]

I understand the concerns but at this point lebron has reached uncharted territory, sure some may use that as criticism but i think most would welcome an additional contender to the league and if they win another ring it would only add to both their legacies as theyve already won multiple times being the main guy so coming together especially this late in their careers would actually be something very interesting to watch and think many including myself would be rooting for then

Exactly. The Lakers and Warriors are going no where and both Steph and Lebron's golden years are going to be wasted. This trade would have given them a chance at another title.

[Darthlukey]

Insert 'why now, why not 15 years ago' Simpsons meme

[hyberx]

LeBron didn't want that because he knew he would get the " couldn't beat them, so just join them" label like KD did. Curry owned him 3-1 in the finals, with the 1 given to LeBron by Adam Silver's timely meddling. Dude is many things, but stupid ain't one.

[Pickled Prunes]

I understand the concerns but at this point lebron has reached uncharted territory, sure some may use that as criticism but i think most would welcome an additional contender to the league and if they win another ring it would only add to both their legacies as theyve already won multiple times being the main guy so coming together especially this late in their careers would actually be something very interesting to watch and think many including myself would be rooting for then

Exactly. The Lakers and Warriors are going no where and both Steph and Lebron's golden years are going to be wasted. This trade would have given them a chance at another title.

Probably not. I mean, what would be going back to LAL? Both teams kind of sucked last season so swapping rotational pieces doesn't really get you anywhere. Maybe if it's CP3, picks and a TPE. My guess is that LAL would want players to pair with AD.

[Pickled Prunes]

LeBron didn't want that because he knew he would get the " couldn't beat them, so just join them" label like KD did. Curry owned him 3-1 in the finals, with the 1 given to LeBron by Adam Silver's timely meddling. Dude is many things, but stupid ain't one.

Some might say that, but KD joined after an NBA historical best 73-win season. GSW finished 10th in the West last season. The story would be more about Lebron jumping ship (again) than jumping on the bandwagon... Cupcakes would be involved in either scenario!.

[Pickled Prunes]

Probably a good move,,, even if this was an intentional leak of alternative facts.

[oaktownwarriors87]

I understand the concerns but at this point lebron has reached uncharted territory, sure some may use that as criticism but i think most would welcome an additional contender to the league and if they win another ring it would only add to both their legacies as theyve already won multiple times being the main guy so coming together especially this late in their careers would actually be something very interesting to watch and think many including myself would be rooting for then

Exactly. The Lakers and Warriors are going no where and both Steph and Lebron's golden years are going to be wasted. This trade would have given them a chance at another title.

Yeah, it would have been super fun to watch. Too bad it never happend.

[BigTex]

Not sure why a player changing teams should be regarded as a negative. In the modern era of player empowerment, it’s a sign of who is running the game. And I don’t see that as ad at all. Nobody watches the Lakers because Jeannie Buss owns the team. The players create the value and should have a substantial say in where they play.

[Furinkazan]

seems like rich paul is running the league....1st Bronny thing with threatning teams if they draft Bronny now this...

[SkyBill40]

Just another instance of Rich Paul having far more sway than a player agent should. This is up to team ownership as trades are business. It's not up to the player to decide (or their agent) if a trade is discussed, brokered, or whatever and Paul's influence and interference needs to be checked firmly by Silver. However, given who is involved, we all know he won't do or say anything about it.

[haste10176]

LeBron didn't want that because he knew he would get the " couldn't beat them, so just join them" label like KD did. Curry owned him 3-1 in the finals, with the 1 given to LeBron by Adam Silver's timely meddling. Dude is many things, but stupid ain't one.

Saying Curry owned him is ridicolous in 2015 love and Kyrie didnt play and Lebron was the best player in the series 2016 lebron finals MVP 2017 and 2018 gsw was the most stacked team ever and Lebron and KD were the best players on the court not curry.. Curry has one finals mvp for a reason