LeBron James spoke after the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 141-116 on Tuesday night to make clear that his agent Rich Paul's recent comments about trading Austin Reaves do not reflect his own thinking. The win came at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where James put up 31 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists in a near triple-double performance. Paul's words on his podcast had stirred talk in the days before, as the Lakers deal with questions about their roster and the trade deadline ahead.
Background
The Lakers sit at 23-14 this season after losses piled up, including a defeat to the Kings on Monday. Their record shows a team with strong scoring but weak spots on defense. James, now in his later years, shares the court with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, a group that lights up the scoreboard but leaves gaps in stopping opponents. Reaves, who went undrafted, has become a key piece, averaging 26.6 points, six assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game before an injury kept him out since Christmas Day.
Rich Paul, founder of Klutch Sports and James's long-time agent, started a new podcast with Max Kellerman called Game Over. On Monday's episode, Paul talked about fixes for the Lakers. He pointed to the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner, naming Jaren Jackson Jr., the Defensive Player of the Year, as a target to shore up defense. Paul said the Lakers lack trade assets like young players or many draft picks, with their last first-rounders not available until 2031 or 2032.
Talk turned to what Los Angeles could offer. Paul brought up Reaves as one option, calling him beloved and an underdog story. He noted Reaves deserves a big contract soon, and paying him along with the star backcourt could limit the team's ability to build the rest of the roster. Paul suggested Reaves could do well in Memphis, where the Grizzlies might pay him, and that Jackson would pair nicely with Dončić as building blocks for a contender.
These comments landed at a tense time. The Lakers have lost three straight before the Hawks game, and fans and analysts watch every move closely with James on the roster. Reaves has been steady amid ups and downs, making Paul's public words stand out. Some see it as odd for an agent tied to a Lakers star to float trading a teammate, even in theory.
Key Details
James waited until after the dominant win over Atlanta to address the noise. In a post-game talk with reporters, he drew a line between himself and Paul.
"I think we all know now, his own and what he says is a direct reflection of me and how I feel." – LeBron James
James stressed his good relationship with Paul but said not everything the agent says matches his views. He hoped Reaves and his team would not take Paul's words as coming from him. This came right after James's strong showing, helping the Lakers put up their highest score of the season against the Hawks.
Reaves's Role and Injury
Austin Reaves built his spot through hard work. This year, before the Christmas injury, he stepped up big, especially with the team's need for reliable scoring. His averages show a player who fits well next to James and Dončić offensively. But the defense around that trio has not held up, and the supporting players miss open shots too often. Paul's pitch saw Jackson as a fix, bringing rim protection and toughness without hurting offense much, since Dončić covers more ground.
Reaves remains sidelined, but his absence has not stopped the talk. Fans like him for his grit, and trading him would mean losing a homegrown talent. Paul's full take included seeing Reaves as a possible sixth man long-term, which added to the surprise.
Paul's Full Pitch
On the podcast, Paul laid out his reasoning step by step. He started with the Grizzlies target, then weighed costs. Expiring deals might not cut it alone, he said, so including Reaves makes sense for salary and value. He repeated his care for Reaves, framing it as good for both sides: the Lakers get balance, Reaves gets paid elsewhere. Still, the public nature drew quick reaction from Lakers circles.
What This Means
James's words calm things in the locker room for now. By speaking out, he shows support for Reaves and keeps focus on the court. The Lakers need wins to stay in the playoff hunt, and extra talk does not help. With the trade deadline nearing, teams like Los Angeles often look to tweak the roster, especially win-now groups with aging stars.
Paul's status as a top agent gives his voice weight, but James made sure to separate it from team matters. This could ease any hard feelings from Reaves or others. Reaves's injury means he misses the buzz, but his return will test the group dynamic.
For the front office, the idea of Jackson or similar players lingers. The Lakers have few assets, so any deal must fit tight rules. Defense stays the big hole, and fixing it could push them further. James turns 42 soon, and Dončić anchors the future, so choices now shape contention chances.
The win over Atlanta snapped the skid, with the offense firing on all cylinders. James led, but the team effort shone. As they move on, this episode highlights how outside voices reach inside NBA teams fast. Players, coaches, and execs must handle it while chasing the goal. Reaves's strong play before injury proves his worth, and James's backing reinforces that. Trade talk will continue, but for Tuesday night, basketball took center stage.
