Overview
- On the Game Over podcast, agent Rich Paul proposed the Lakers pursue Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., with Austin Reaves as a likely centerpiece.
- Fan reaction turned sharply negative and former player Chandler Parsons called the comments a bad look, while ex-Laker Lou Williams publicly defended Paul’s right to opine.
- Reporters including Jovan Buha said people inside the Lakers and in Reaves’ camp were unhappy with the podcast, describing the discussion as an unusual and distracting move for an agent.
- Insiders such as Sam Amick report Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka strongly favor retaining Reaves, with indications the team plans to pay him this summer rather than shop him now.
- Reaves declined a four-year, $89 million extension and is positioned for a much larger deal in free agency, and he remains out with a Grade 2 calf strain as the discourse continues.