Rich Paul, LeBron James' agent, stated that James will finish the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers despite doubts about the team's championship potential. On his podcast 'Game Over' with Max Kellerman, Paul dismissed speculation about James playing elsewhere, citing his no-trade clause. The Lakers hold a 17-6 record, second in the Western Conference.
Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and longtime representative of LeBron James, addressed swirling trade rumors surrounding the 40-year-old superstar during the debut episode of his podcast 'Game Over,' co-hosted with Max Kellerman. Paul was unequivocal about James' immediate future: 'No,' he said when asked if James could play for another team this season. 'Where's he gonna go?' He acknowledged that James would improve any team, including the New York Knicks, but noted that all 29 other NBA franchises would claim the same.
Paul's comments come amid the Lakers' strong start to the 2025-26 season, with a 17-6 record tying them for second in the Western Conference alongside the Denver Nuggets. However, he expressed skepticism about their contending ability: 'I personally don't think the Lakers are good enough to be contenders right now -- not right now,' Paul said. 'I don't think they have enough to get to the Western Conference [Finals].' The team boasts the sixth-best offensive rating in the league, led by Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, but ranks 21st defensively. They face stiff competition from the Oklahoma City Thunder (23-1), Houston Rockets (15-6), San Antonio Spurs (16-7), and Minnesota Timberwolves (15-9).
James, who missed the season's start due to sciatica and has played in only seven games, has a 6-1 record in his appearances. His stats include 16.1 points, 7.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, on pace for career lows in scoring, minutes (33.1), and field goal attempts (13.9). He recently scored a season-high 29 points in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. James holds a no-trade clause and exercised his $52.6 million player option for this year, positioning him as a potential unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. Earlier, Paul emphasized to ESPN that James 'wants to compete for a championship' and values a realistic chance to win.
The Lakers' upcoming schedule includes the NBA Cup quarterfinals against the Spurs on Wednesday and a matchup with the Rockets on Christmas Day, offering tests against Western Conference rivals.