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WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Rich Paul attends the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala Presented by Paul Mitchell at Pacific Design Center on November 09, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Baby2Baby)

The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty of haters. That has only been amplified since they signed LeBron James in 2018. James has garnered hate from fans after dominating the NBA for the last two decades. There are certainly some NBA players who dislike him, as well.

Former NBA players who have retired are starting to have kids who are playing college ball now. Rich Paul, James’ agent and owner of Klutch, is involved in NIL handlings. His agency tries to sign some of those kids to represent them in NIL negotiations.

Paul is now claiming that disdain from current and NBA players towards James has cost him clients, even when their son isn’t involved.

Rich Paul Says Hate Towards LeBron James Costs Him Money

While speaking on the Game Over Podcast, Paul says hate towards James is affecting his business.

“I’ve had NBA current players, and former players, involve themselves in a recruiting process with a kid who’s not their son and purposely push a kid to a different agency because of their disdain for LeBron, and I’m his guy.”

Paul grew up with James and has turned into his agent. Everyone knows the story of how Paul came to become one of the most powerful agents in the NBA. Now, his agency has expanded into the collegiate game. He thinks that being tied to James has now started to hinder him.

James is one of the greatest players in the history of basketball. To say that being close to him is now hindering his business seems a bit far-fetched. Paul still has access to players all across the country that his agency wouldn’t have if it weren’t for James’ friendship.

Once James retires, his reach might actually shrink. Paul had better be careful what he wishes for. He has gotten a lot of NBA clients with his agency because of James, as well. James likely only has a couple of years left in the league, too.

LeBron James is Focused on Winning Another Title with the Lakers

At this moment, James is not concerned about Paul’s business. He is only focused on helping the Lakers win games in the playoffs. He was the top option for most of the first-round series against the Rockets. Now, he has Austin Reaves back to help him take on the Thunder.

Oklahoma City will be a much tougher test than the Rockets were. The Thunder have the best offense in the playoffs after their sweep of the Suns. Meanwhile, the Lakers have struggled without Reaves and Luka Doncic to produce enough offense at times.

It’s unclear when Doncic will be able to return in this series, so James will have a large load on his shoulders again. If he isn’t up for the challenge, Los Angeles might be heading home after just two rounds in the playoffs.