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Despite the fact that LeBron James has played just seven games for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, they surprisingly sit in second place in the NBA’s Western Conference with an impressive 17-6 record.
It is perhaps because of the fact that James has played just seven games that his agent, Rich Paul, said recently that he doesn’t believe that the Lakers are legitimate contenders to win an NBA championship.
Los Angeles is 11-5 in games without James, and 6-1 in games with him thus far. Despite those strong records, Paul doesn’t seem to have much confidence in the team.
Rich Paul Thinks The Los Angeles Lakers Aren’t Contenders
Paul was recently asked to assess the team during an episode of Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul on YouTube. The conversation begins at the 26:55 mark of the video, but Paul makes his stance abundantly clear later on at the 44:45 mark.
“I don’t think they have enough to get to the Western Conference Finals,” Paul said. “I don’t think they have enough to really contend, from that perspective.”
Despite that fact, Paul made it clear that James won’t be playing for any team other than the Lakers come the end of the 2025-26 season.
“Where’s he going to go?” Paul asked.
When Kellerman suggested the New York Knicks, Paul refused to completely shut down the thought.
“I mean, listen, he definitely makes them better. I will give you that,” Paul answered.
If the Lakers are to win it all, they’ll have to run the gauntlet through a young and loaded Western Conference. But a 17-6 record, coupled with a motivated Luka Doncic and improved Austin Reaves, should give Lakers fans belief that they could do so.
Despite that fact, they certainly haven’t convinced Paul. And for someone who said his biggest client isn’t going to play anywhere else this season, he sure didn’t seem to completely rule out a trade to New York.