Rich Paul downplays Lakers chances of being NBA title contenders.
Well, there goes your offseason optimism, Lakers fans. Rich Paul, the man who negotiates contracts like a chess grandmaster and somehow keeps LeBron’s world spinning, just made a comment that crushed dreams faster than a fast break dunk. According to him, the Los Angeles Lakers are not NBA title contenders this season. Yes, you read that right. Someone tell the hype train to slow down and maybe park it somewhere for a reality check.
Paul said on Monday’s first episode of his new podcast Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul he personally doesn’t “think the Lakers are good enough to be contenders right now.”
“I don’t think they have enough to get to the Western Conference Finals,” Paul said about the 44:45 mark of the podcast. “I don’t think they have enough to really contend, from that perspective.”
Paul’s assessment of the Lakers is especially notable given that he said in a June statement provided to ESPN’s Shams Charania that James “wants to compete for a championship” and “wants to make every season he has left count.”
“He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all… We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career,” Paul said in June.
So, if you were hoping for an easy path to another Lakers championship, it’s time to adjust your expectations. Rich Paul has spoken. The Lakers might be entertaining, they might be flashy, but they are not, and probably won’t be, title contenders this season.
