Rich Paul doesn’t see the Lakers as a real title contender
Is that it LeBron James will finish the year with the Lakers, Max Kellerman asks Rich Paul during the first episode of “Game Over”? The agent assures us that yes, reminding us that the “King” has a “no-trade clause” that allows him to block any transfer he is not interested in and therefore leaves him in control of his future.
Apparently, the agent doesn’t want to speculate, though he admits it’s hard to imagine a trade Los Angeles would accept that would put his client in a better situation.
However, Rich Paul talks at length about the difference between a “championship organization” and a “championship organization,” clearly suggesting that the Buss Lakers family was part of the latter category, that the allure of Los Angeles and the club’s history had long masked internal flaws.
“I don’t believe the Lakers have what it takes to go to the conference finals”
The arrival of Mark Walter may change thateven if he believes that the current team is not yet ready for the title. “I don’t think the Lakers are good enough to be a title contender right now. Not right now.” he explains. “I don’t think they have what it takes to go to the conference finals.”
However, aside from the Thunder, who are in a league of their own, Rich Paul is hard-pressed to name another team in the West that is currently stronger than the Lakers. Even if the shortcomings of JJ Redick’s group seem too high for him … unless the club makes some adjustments during the next trade deadline.
“They have talent, with their best guys (Luka Doncic and LeBron James) who can win games. But also Austin (Reaves) who has reached a turning point. But in the second half of the season, the guys are in great physical shape, all the game plans are deciphered. In the playoffs last year, they faced athleticism and size. Wingspan, speed … Can the Lakers play fast?
2025-12-09 16:11:00
