Rich Paul Makes Feelings Clear on LeBron James and Lakers Not Being Good Enough To Make it to WCF 

Rich Paul made his feelings clear about the Lakers' chances of contending for a championship. The Klutch Sports CEO said that he did not believe in LA to make it to the Western Conference Finals.

Paul expressed his thoughts on the subject in front of Max Kellerman on Thursday's episode of the "Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul" podcast.

"I don’t think they have enough to get to Western Conference Finals," Paul said. "Their style of play will be very easy to defend when you get into playoffs."

Kellerman argued against Paul's narrative by highlighting that the Lakers are the second-place team in the West standings. However, Paul was not convinced by his co-host's argument and told him that LA were in a similar situation last season.

The Lakers finished the 2024-25 regular season as the third-place team in the West, however, the Minnesota Timberwolves knocked them out 4-1 in the first round.

Later, the Klutch Sports CEO suggested a role change in the Purple and Gold's tactics. He said that LeBron James should be the screener for Luka Doncic in pick-and-rolls instead of Deandre Ayton, as neither Ayton nor Jaxson Hayes, who plays in Ayton's position, possesses the elite decision-making of James.

"Where’s he gonna go?": Rich Paul shuts down LeBron James' Lakers departure rumors

Later in the podcast, Max Kellerman asked Rich Paul if he could see LeBron James leaving the Lakers at the end of the season. The Klutch Sports CEO said that James was not going anywhere.

"No. Where’s he gonna go?" Paul said.

Kellerman later asked James' best friend if the four-time NBA champion would consider becoming a Knick next season. Paul said that while the Knicks would benefit from adding James to their lineup, the move was far from reality.

"Does LeBron make the Knicks better? Yes he would, of course, but 29 other teams would say the same thing."

LeBron James sparked rumors about his departure from the Lakers when he opted into his contract in June. The four-time NBA champion had never opted into his contract before.

Later, James missed the Purple and Gold's seaosn opener because of a sciatica injury. It was the first time that James had missed a season opener in his two-decade-long career. His absence further fueled speculation about the four-time NBA champion's departure.

However, Paul's statements have put an end to all those speculations. James is also back on full health for the past few games. He is averaging 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game on 46.4% shooting.