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[Saba Sports News] The notion of LeBron James playing for the Golden State Warriors was discussed leading up to last season’s trade deadline, but a deal never came close to happening. A significant reason for that was LeBron’s longtime agent and friend, Rich Paul.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, talks between the Lakers and Warriors stalled in part because Paul was “adamantly opposed” to James being traded. Paul’s main concern was that joining a fourth different team could damage LeBron’s legacy as a four-time NBA MVP.
“Sources say Paul urged both teams to abandon the idea—despite some discussions between Warriors owner Joe Lacob and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, and Draymond Green lobbying for James to move to the Bay Area—because he wanted to protect James from potential backlash over another team switch,” Stein reported, via Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area.
The idea of a trade involving James never seemed likely, and with the Lakers drafting Bronny James, it’s clear LeBron had no intention of leaving. Additionally, LeBron now has a no-trade clause, which he didn’t have in his previous contract with the Lakers, making the trade rumor even less credible in light of Paul’s opposition.