It’s not every day that a trade rumor sparks confusion, a little disbelief, and a dash of AI paranoia - but that’s exactly what happened when Rich Paul, one of the NBA’s most influential agents, floated the idea of a deal involving Austin Reaves and Jaren Jackson Jr.
On the latest episode of his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul casually suggested that the Lakers should consider building a trade package centered around Reaves to acquire Jackson from the Grizzlies. The idea?
That Jackson’s skill set might be a more natural fit for the Lakers - particularly in building around Luka Doncic, should that hypothetical ever become reality. And for Reaves?
Paul noted that the guard would still be in line for a well-earned payday this summer when he hits free agency.
Naturally, the comment set off a chain reaction. Paul is, after all, not just any agent - he represents LeBron James, the face of the Lakers franchise.
So when he speaks publicly about potential trades involving LeBron’s teammates, it’s bound to raise eyebrows. Was this just a podcast soundbite?
Or was there something more behind it?
One person who wasn’t immediately buying into the buzz? Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies big man admitted he wasn’t even sure the clip was real at first.
“There’s just a lot of podcasts,” Jackson said. “At first, I didn’t think it was real.
You have to figure out if it’s real, usually now, and I’m not as versed technology-wise as these people younger than me. I was figuring out if it’s AI, deepfake, all that stuff.
That’s all I had, I didn’t really have much of a reaction.”
And who can blame him? In an era where AI-generated clips and deepfakes can circulate faster than a fast break, skepticism is a fair first reaction.
But even after confirming the comments were legit, Jackson didn’t seem fazed. Now in his eighth season, the former Defensive Player of the Year has heard his name tossed around in trade chatter before.
This one just happened to come from a particularly high-profile source.
Still, the situation was unusual. Paul’s suggestion wasn’t part of a report or a leak - it was a public comment from a power broker with close ties to the Lakers, involving a player who shares a locker room with his most famous client. That’s not the kind of thing you hear every day, and it understandably sparked some behind-the-scenes conversations.
In fact, during the Lakers’ recent game against the Atlanta Hawks, Reaves’ agent was seen chatting with Paul at halftime. No fireworks, no public drama - just two agents talking during a game. But given the context, it’s hard not to connect the dots.
As of now, there’s no indication that the Lakers are actually pursuing a trade for Jackson, or that the Grizzlies are shopping him. And there’s no sign of any friction between Reaves and James, despite the chatter.
In the end, this feels like one of those NBA moments that generates more noise than movement. A speculative comment on a podcast, a few raised eyebrows, and a quick reality check from Jackson. But in today’s league, where player movement is constant and off-court dynamics matter just as much as what happens between the lines, even a passing comment can ripple through the league.
For now, everyone seems content to move forward - Jackson in Memphis, Reaves in L.A., and Rich Paul right in the middle of it all.