Rich Paul’s Jaren Jackson Jr. Trade Talk Sparks Tension with Austin Reaves’ Camp
In the always-connected world of NBA front offices, agents, and media, sometimes the lines blur - especially when the people behind the scenes step in front of the mic. That’s exactly what happened when Rich Paul, the high-profile agent representing Jaren Jackson Jr., casually floated a hypothetical trade on his podcast that set off some real-world ripples.
During an episode of his show Game Over, Paul suggested - in theory - that if he were running the Lakers, he’d consider trading Austin Reaves for Jackson Jr. It was a hypothetical, not a report. But that didn’t stop Reaves’ agent, Reggie Berry, from confronting Paul directly over the comment.
Paul recounted the exchange, emphasizing that there was no ill will toward Reaves. “I’m like, look, Reggie, you’re my man, and I want Austin to know, this is not about Austin Reaves,” Paul said.
“Love the player, love the person. And two, I actually need him to help me with my golf game.
So, I’m not trying to mess up anything with AR.”
Paul doubled down on the idea that this wasn’t about stirring the trade pot ahead of the February 5 deadline. Instead, he framed it as a GM-style thought experiment - the kind of roster-building conversation that happens every day behind closed doors in front offices across the league.
“This was a hypothetical conversation we were having. If I was running the team - not this is what’s going to happen,” Paul said.
“Second, I believe it’s very complimentary to AR because he’s on a team with two future Hall of Famers, and he happens to be the asset. So that’s not a negative take.”
One of those Hall of Famers, of course, is LeBron James - Paul’s most prominent and long-standing client. That connection is exactly why this hypothetical drew extra attention.
Fans and analysts alike quickly connected the dots: a trade that would bring Jackson Jr. to the Lakers could be seen as another move to bolster LeBron’s supporting cast. Whether that was Paul’s intent or not, the speculation was inevitable.
Paul, for his part, seemed unfazed by the reaction. He defended his right to speak candidly on his podcast, even if it ruffled some feathers.
“I don’t know what they expect from me, but what I do know is this show can’t be called Game Over and give fake game. Just can’t do it.
It’s got to be the real,” Paul said. “You can not like the messenger and respect the message.
And I know people are going to say it’s awkward. I’m going to tell you something, Max, I’m so tired of being told what I can’t do.”
He also pushed back on the notion that it’s somehow strange for an agent to have a podcast. “It’s weird to see an agent have a podcast, but it’s not weird to see a player have a podcast?
Or an executive in Hollywood? Or an actor or actress?
But it’s weird for me to have one?”
Not everyone is on board with Paul’s approach. ESPN’s Stephen A.
Smith didn’t hold back in his critique. On First Take, Smith argued that Paul, with over two decades of experience in the NBA business, should know better than to publicly discuss trade scenarios involving his own clients - especially when those scenarios could directly affect a player like Reaves, who’s still carving out his place in the league.
“You have a podcast now as an agent. You ain’t some rookie who just arrived,” Smith said.
“You’ve made deals, you’ve influenced deals being made, you’ve been accused of influencing deals that have been made. And we all know you’re attached to the hip with LeBron James.”
Smith’s point was clear: when Rich Paul speaks - especially about anything that could impact LeBron - people are going to listen, and assumptions will be made. “Whether fair or unfair,” Smith added, “Rich Paul is entirely too smart not to know that.”
As the trade deadline approaches, this kind of chatter - even if it’s just theoretical - adds another layer to the already complex web of player movement, team building, and superstar influence. Whether or not the Lakers ever pick up the phone to discuss a Reaves-for-Jackson Jr. swap, the conversation has already sparked debate - not just about the trade itself, but about the evolving role of agents in the modern NBA media landscape.