Rich Paul falls on the bottom line of the LeBron James trade this season

With The Los Angeles Lakers are led by superstar LeBron Jamesthere is still speculation in the basketball world about the possibility that the 40-year-old will be traded during the season. As fans will go crazy thinking about James’ future with the Lakershis agent, Rich Paulwould give a direct answer about the chances of reaching an agreement.

On Paul’s new podcast with Max Kellerman, called “Game Over,” the latter would ask if there was a chance James wouldn’t be in Los Angeles for the rest of the year. Pavle would not hesitate say James is not leaving the Lakers.

“No,” said Paul. “Where is he going to go? … Does LeBron make the Knicks better? Yes, of course, but 29 other teams would say the same thing.”

Max Kellerman asks Rich Paul if there’s a chance LeBron won’t be a Laker until the end of the year

“No. Where is he going to go? Does LeBron make the Knicks better? Yes, of course, but 29 other teams would say the same thing.”

(Via Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul) pic.tvitter.com/TdUpVegKsiI

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) December 9, 2025

Rich Paul understands the Lakers’ chances with LeBron James this season

This will be good to hear from fans who were initially concerned about Paul’s comments back in June after James picked up his option, putting The Lakers have been informed that the star wants to compete for a titlealthough the team is building for the future. To some extent, Paul might feel the same way, as he even told Kellerman on the same show that he doesn’t believe the Lakers are a contender this season, even saying no “have enough” to reach the conference finals.

“I, personally, don’t think the Lakers are good enough to be a contender right now. Not right now,” Paul said. “I don’t think they have enough to get to the Western Conference finals. I don’t think they have enough to contend right now from that perspective.”

Rich Paul doesn’t think the Lakers are contenders

“I personally don’t think the Lakers are good enough to be a contender, not right now. I don’t think they have enough to make it to the VCF…their style of play will be very easy to defend once you get into the playoffs.”

(Via Game over with… pic.twitter.com/FPiccnFRKm

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) December 9, 2025

Either way, it remains to be seen how far James and Los Angeles will go, but so far, the team boasts a 17-6 record, which puts them in second place in the Western Conference. The team meets the San Antonio Spurs in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup on Wednesday night.