When Rich Paul contacted Shams Charania during the offseason to inform him of LeBron James picking up his player option for this season, the Klutch Sports CEO said his client wanted to be on a contender. Despite a solid start, Paul remains unconvinced of the Los Angeles Lakers being one.
This was a sentiment that was shared during the summer, in December, and is now being reaffirmed yet again in the new year. During a segment on a recent episode of Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul, the latter continued to sing the same tune he has this entire time.
"I'm not changing my take," Paul said. "I still don't think that the Lakers are contenders. But again, I know people look at it. I'm not saying it with a negative connotation. ... Fans, also, they're fans. You could be a fanatic about things that's not necessarily realistic."
James' agent thought championship expectations come when you have stars like his client and Luka Doncic. Paul also made sure to let it be known this was not him being a 'mouthpiece' for LeBron. In the chair he was sitting, having the basketball conversation that he was, Paul remained adamant this was just his opinion.
Rich Paul is refusing to call the Lakers contender — and that much is fair
One thing that works in the Lakers' favor of being legit would be the extra gear they have when the games are close. Los Angeles thrives in clutch games.
The problem is they also tend to get absolutely smoked when they lose. Before even addressing the roster portion of the equation, that much shows a concerning lack of resiliency. Missing that component during the mental grind of a seven-game series in the NBA Playoffs is troubling.
That last part might be the understatement of the century. Being able to take punches and dish out counterpunches endlessly is how playoff matchups, and championships, are won.
It's not like the situation is completely devoid of hope. That would be just as silly of a thought.
The foundation is far from dreadful. Pretending like it is does no one any good. However, the Lakers need more to reassure the flashes of hope can be completely trusted when the basketball games really matter.
Los Angeles will have a fighting chance in the spring. Firmly joining the NBA's elite is still a work in progress, though.