LeBron James reiterates support for Austin Reeves after Rich Paul comments

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LeBron James reiterates support for Austin Reeves after Rich Paul comments

LeBron James has made it clear that he is not behind the recent trade rumors involving one of the Los Angeles Lakers' most popular players.

After his agent Rich Paul broached the idea of trading Austin Reeves on a podcast, James publicly distanced himself from the suggestion and emphasized that his relationship with Reeves remains strong.

“I think you all know by now, Rich is his own man and what Rich said is not a direct reflection of me and my feelings,” James told ESPN on his way out of Crypto.com Arena. “I want people to know this. I want people to know this, and if they don't know it wisely, then I don't know what to tell them.”

Paul's comments came after Paul floated a hypothetical trade on the “Game Over” podcast that would have sent Reeves to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr.

Paul believes such a move could provide the Lakers with a young frontcourt partner in Luka Doncic while also easing future financial pressure, as Reeves is eligible for a five-year, $241 million max contract extension this summer.

James further denied that Paul's comments reflected his own thoughts, especially when it comes to Reeves personally.

“AR knows how I feel about him,” James told ESPN. “All you have to do is look at us on the bench. Me and AR talk every day. So, AR knows how I feel about him, and I hope AR — or his camp — doesn't look at me and think that's what I said through Rich.

“Richie has his perspective on what he saw and I have mine. I'm an adult and he's an adult and I think people should realize that adults can say whatever they want and it shouldn't reflect what someone else is saying.”