This has been a forgettable season for the Los Angeles Lakers. Expectations were sky high when the Lakers landed point guard Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks, in what is being called the deal of the century. However, it did not come without a cost. While many initially believed that the Lakers nailed the trade, as the dust started to settle, things became much clearer. Well, we are not saying that getting a younger superstar player like Doncic wasn’t the right decision. However, the void that Anthony Davis left was not filled by the franchise, and that might have cost them the season. Moreover, it might have skewed LeBron James’ relations with AD.

We are all aware of the close-knit bond the two shared over their time in Southern California. In fact, the James and Davis duo will also be tied together because of the championship they won with the Lakers in 2020. However, many questions were raised after Anthony Davis was traded, with many accusing James of having a part to play in the deal. The 40-year-old did come clean and addressed the rumors, stating that he, like everyone else, was not aware of the blockbuster trade. Now, his close friend and CEO of Klutch Sports, Rich Paul, has addressed these long-standing accusations of LeBron James controlling every team he’s part of.

“That’s false, you know. I think that, and I can say that because I’m there right you know, and when you think about that and that narrative, people don’t think about the impact that that has off the court, right, it hurts friendships,” Rich Paul said on The Rich Eisen Show.

“Guys that play on teams because they feel like, ‘Hey, I may have been traded, and it’s because you wanted me out of here, right,’ and I know that it’s not to be true. There’s something to be said when someone comes to you and says, ‘Hey, what do you think about this guy?’ You may say, uh, or you, or you may not even want to comment at all. And they come back and they come back and they come back, you say, ‘You know what, that’s what you want to do, go ahead.’ That’s not you making a decision, that’s you agreeing with something.”

via Imago

LeBron James’ confidant suggested that a franchise may ask for their star player’s opinion, but the final say remains with the front office and not the player. Indeed, it’s hard to believe that it was solely James’ decision to trade Anthony Davis or Russell Westbrook.

Rich Paul not only cleared the air around LeBron James’ involvement in the Doncic-Davis trade. He also talked about what he knows about the Lakers’ veteran’s future in the NBA.

Rich Paul reveals LeBron James’ future plans

LeBron James’ 22nd season in the league did not end how the Los Angeles superstar would’ve hoped. However, the 40-year-old can still be proud of his performances. James played 70 games and even made the All-Star team. Not to mention, he also made history by sharing the court with his son, Bronny James. There’s no doubt that the King is returning for No. 23. However, the question remains: how much more fire does James have left in him?

via Imago

Well, it seems even his best friend and longtime agent also doesn’t have an answer to this question. “I think they’ve been on pins and needles for a while. I think I don’t know about that, though I wish I had the answer. I don’t have conversations like that, I just go into each year like he’s continuing to play, I never even like to talk about that,” Paul stated on The Rich Eisen Show. Even arguably, the biggest sports agent did not have an answer, despite having much more insight into James’ life than anyone else.

However, he did indicate what factors LeBron James’ decision will be based on. “I always get asked this question. Physically, he can play for several more years. I don’t think it’s the physical aspect of it. I think it’s where you’re at mentally,” he said. After completing his fifth season with the franchise, he still led the Lakers statistically, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game. But the Lakers’ early playoff exit has raised questions about the roster’s competitiveness and the team’s direction.

Off the court, though, he is enjoying time with his family. However, once he decides to hang up his boots, it’s done. Well, with so much uncertainty around James’ retirement, it’s safe to say that we should cherish him for the time being.