The NBA doesn’t need tabloids. Why? The NBA has podcasts.
Basketball-related podcasts are a large part of the sport’s culture. But who is talking makes for fodder that lasts for days.
Rich Paul made waves this week in the latest episode of the “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman.
Paul, among his many ventures, is an NBA agent, and his clients include LeBron James as part of Klutch Sports. Paul is the CEO of Klutch. So when Paul speaks on the Los Angeles Lakers, the public listens. When those portions become clips, they hit social media and drive conversation.
Paul pondered in the latest episode what the Lakers could do to remake their roster and suggested using popular guard Austin Reaves in a potential trade.
“If I was the Lakers, I probably would be targeting the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner for Jaren Jackson,” Paul said, suggesting sending Reaves to Memphis.
Final pic.twitter.com/tBi4EU3n2f
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 13, 2026
Paul gave reasons for his opinion. Jackson, the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, could be a defensive anchor for Luka Dončić. Reaves would be a centerpiece for the Grizzlies. But that’s not what gets headlines. Most clips focused on the idea of trading Reaves, which is why who is talking matters.
Who should or shouldn’t have a podcast makes the discussion topical. Should active players podcast during the season? What about coaches? Do retired players have free rein? Should executives avoid becoming podcasters unless they have no desire to work for a team again?
Teams want to limit distractions, and podcasts are an easy vehicle for a distraction. A microphone and an opinion could hurt a team’s chemistry as quickly as a sprained ankle if words disrupt focus.
Is that the podcasters’ fault? No. Ideally, players should block out the outside noise and focus. But that’s not reality. Players read social media commentary more than they’d like to acknowledge, and who says what matters. Not just because players care, but who is talking gives credence to speculation.
Should we all be responsible and listen to an entire show before judging? Yes. But who is going to take the time to listen to a two-hour podcast when a provocative two-minute clip is on the phone?
When Paul speaks, the assumption is James is in agreement, which Paul has said on the show is not true. That doesn’t stop the chatter.
Was the online discourse Monday a reason the Lakers were blown out by the lowly Sacramento Kings the same night? Does LeBron want Reaves traded? None of that was said, but it’s all a part of the world of NBA gossip.
Whether it’s Paul, an active agent, active NBA players such as Draymond Green or retired players such as Jeff Teague, Kevin Garnett, Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes and Gilbert Arenas, podcasts provide content for discussion.
So, should Paul be discussing the NBA and teams that have players he represents? Paul would say he’s doing nothing wrong. He says on his show he’s not speaking as an agent, but as an analyst. Paul has spoken on sports topics and teams for years, including on television appearances and even writing for The Athletic. Paul discusses other sports on the show, too. But clip culture means the NBA opinions will often be discussed as fact or as part of a bigger Klutch agenda.
Paul appears unbothered by anyone who believes he’s out of pocket discussing the Lakers or teams with his clients.
Focusing on Paul misses the point that podcasts have created plenty of awkward NBA moments, especially when active players are involved.
Paul George was mocked by many last season when he announced he was taking a break from his podcast to focus on helping the Philadelphia 76ers make the playoffs — they did not make the playoffs.
The Lakers hired J.J. Redick as their coach before last season. Redick had been James’ podcast partner on the “Mind the Game” podcast, on which they discussed basketball strategy.
Was the podcast a not-so-subtle job interview? The Lakers would say no, but that doesn’t stop the speculation.
Kings general manager Scott Perry wasn’t the Kings’ general manager in 2023 when he questioned whether Zach LaVine’s scoring had an impact on winning. When Perry was hired as Kings general manager last year, it didn’t take long for the media to find that clip.
Not all the podcast fodder is serious. Not all the discussions are bad. How else would we get a random Kenyon Martin vs. Draymond Green feud? Podcasts!
I would have never known Teague was so funny if not for his “Club 520” podcast. Barnes and Jackson’s “All the Smoke” has sparked serious discussions not related to sports. I wouldn’t know Paul Pierce likes to give relationship advice if not for “The Truth After Dark.”
What is the best way to avoid the discourse? Be like Pierce. He has a podcast that talks about basketball, but his most entertaining clips are of him giving his takes on relationships.
Pierce with dating tips? That’s certainly not going to make the NBA rumor mill.