Rich Paul downplays the report on LeBron James, the Lakers’ rift and criticism
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LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, is downplaying the explosive report that Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss is tired of his client.
ESPN cited team sources when it reported that Buss privately complained about James’ “extreme pride,” and the “obvious control” the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Paul and the Klutch Sports Group had over the organization.
The report also revealed that Buss believes James has been held accountable since he was with the team, including dropping a lawsuit after the team failed to trade Russell Westbrook before the 2021-22 season.
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Rich Paul talks to LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 4, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Paul responded during his podcast, “Game Over With Max Kellerman and Rich Paul,” where he downplayed the report.
“There’s an article written every day,” he told Kellerman. “Who gives a—? I don’t know.
“When these types of articles come out, people want to take the clickbait. You’ll see things floating and floating and floating. And it goes back to this and that’s why I created the whole thing about not being interrupted.
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“You shouldn’t be bothered by this kind of stuff. Me. It’s like, whatever.”
The most controversial decision the Lakers made in 2024, however, was their selection of James’ son, Bronny, in the NBA Draft. Despite the struggles in his one year at USC – mostly because he was recovering from a heart attack – the Lakers selected James with the 55th overall pick.
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss attends a media day at the UCLA Health and Training Center in El Segundo, California on September 28, 2021 in Los Angeles. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports)
The speculation has been that James had an influence on the selection, and ESPN’s reporting seems to confirm that.
“And when the Lakers drafted James’ son Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Jeanie privately commented that James should be grateful for such a move, but felt like he wasn’t,” the ESPN report said. “That summer, as she discussed James’ new contract, Jeanie seemed disappointed that they would have to do it – she probably begrudgingly agreed that they would get a lot of PR by not doing it.”
When Jerry Buss died in 2013, the Lakers were passed on to his children, and Jeanie has served as the team’s governor ever since. He continued to oversee day-to-day operations, and reports say he will remain governor for another five years.
Rich Paul attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 18, 2025 in Los Angeles. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
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The Lakers have won 11 of their 17 championships under Buss’ ownership, the last in 2020. That was their only title, even though Jerry Buss died.
James joined the Lakers in free agency in 2018, where he helped lead the team to the 2020 title.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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