NBA agent claims Rich Paul’s influence is why some players avoid teaming up with LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is celebrated as one of the greatest players in NBA history, with a legacy highlighted by his status as the league’s all-time leading scorer. But away from the hardwood, questions are mounting over the sway held by his close friend and longtime agent, Rich Paul.

Paul, founder of Klutch Sports, represents LeBron and several other NBA stars, negotiating contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. His influence within the Lakers organization, however, has drawn criticism from league insiders — some calling it “disruptive.”

According to multiple reports, Paul has unrestricted access to team facilities, with his opinions often shaping decisions made by management. One NBA executive even claimed some players avoid joining teams with LeBron because of Paul’s presence.

Rich Paul, Klutch Sports founder and CEO, joins CNBC and Boardroom’s #GamePlan24 event to discuss representing athletic superstars like LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/DRO7LVT4dj

— CNBC (@CNBC) September 11, 2024

“Coaches know Rich is trying to get them fired, and players know Rich is trying to get them traded,” the executive said.

Paul denies any wrongdoing, insisting his only priority is his clients’ best interests.

“At the end of the day, all I can do is continue to do my job for my client. I can’t worry about perception. I just work hard and stay on my path,” Paul told reporters.

Critics often cite the 2018–19 season, when then-Lakers head coach Luke Walton’s departure was allegedly influenced by Paul. Reports claimed he told NBA commissioner Adam Silver that Walton wasn’t the right fit and even recommended Tyronn Lue. Walton left with a 98–148 record, missing the playoffs in all three seasons.

Speculation also surrounded the June 2024 hiring of JJ Redick as Lakers head coach, though no direct evidence has linked the decision to Paul or LeBron.

Whether seen as a master strategist or an overreaching power broker, Paul’s role in shaping the Lakers’ future remains one of the NBA’s most debated front-office dynamics.

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