Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, all of them just aren’t Lakers legends. They’re cultural icons who helped turn basketball into a global obsession. But the sad part is, the chapter is closing. LeBron is now in his 40s, and rumors suggest the 2025–26 season could be his final title chase. The torch needs to pass. A new era has to begin in L.A. But not everyone’s ready for that shift, especially LeBron’s longtime agent, Rich Paul. From the sound of it, he’s still betting on the King to write one more historic ending before riding off into the sunset.
On the latest episode of the Road Trippin’ podcast, Kendrick Perkins dropped a behind-the-scenes bombshell. The former NBA big man and one-time LeBron teammate revealed that Rich Paul, LeBron’s longtime agent and Klutch Sports founder, personally called him to air out some frustration. Why? Because Perkins went on national TV and said what many are quietly thinking: there’s a new power shift in L.A.
As he remembered, “There’s a new sheriff in town. It’s Luka and Bill Duffy, it’s WME. It’s no more Klutch Sports no more. And I told this to Rich Paul on the phone and we had an argument because I said it on TV and we argue a lot.” That line didn’t sit well with Rich. Perkins admitted the phone call turned into an argument, as it often does between the two. But the message was clear: Paul isn’t ready to give up ground. Even as a new generation edges into the spotlight.
(This is a developing story)
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