Rich Paul pushes back on ‘narrative’ that LeBron James involved in Lakers coaching search

LeBron James is really not involved in the Lakers coaching search. Please stop saying he’s involved in the Lakers coaching search.

The Lakers’ search for a head coach is going to involve input from LeBron James and Anthony Davis at some point. It’d be incredibly naive to think the team would make a hire without at least asking for the two cents of their superstars.

But LeBron, his agent Rich Paul and Klutch Sports really want everyone to know that LeBron is not involved in the Lakers coaching search.

Earlier this week, Shams Charania of The Athletic shared the details of his conversation with Paul in which he revealed that LeBron has not been involved with the Lakers’ coaching search so far.

On Friday, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report published a conversation he had with Paul in which it was further reiterated that LeBron is not involved in the Lakers’ coaching search.

LeBron is not involved. That’s accurate. I think it’s hard for people to not want a narrative per se. There’s a lot of false narratives out there. There’s a lot of narratives that they feel like we drive, which I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t pay attention to that anymore. I think the people that know if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly.

But as for the coaching search, this is a Lakers decision. I always advise LeBron or anybody for that matter not to really position yourself in a manner of which you have a hand so strong in a decision that could come back to bite you down the road. With every team he’s been on as the best player, you have some type of insight or the team may ask about your thoughts.

That goes for every superstar. In my opinion, the Lakers’ focus should probably be more so on Anthony Davis than LeBron at this point. I think for him being so good for so long, people just think he controls the team. There’s no controlling of the team. And JJ is a friend. We respect JJ. I know LeBron and JJ have the podcast. I did JJ’s podcast. Me and JJ talk hoops all the time. He does know hoops. But just because they have a podcast—the Lakers have to make a decision for now and later.

And whatever that decision is, that’ll be an organizational decision. It’s as simple as that.

The more they say they’re not involved in the coaching search, the more I start to question some things. But, for now, the logic is there.

The Lakers are making a decision and, if the smoke is indicative of anything, they’re leaning toward hiring JJ Redick as head coach. That’s a risky move!

Klutch, LeBron, Rich Paul, Joe Schmo on Ventura Boulevard and every Lakers fan can see that’s a risky move. So LeBron is doing what just about any of us would do and is making sure there’s a clear separation between them and the Lakers front office.

Again, at some point, LeBron’s opinion will be sought after by the team. Rob Pelinka has repeatedly involved him and AD in big decisions and this will be no exception.

But he’s definitely, certainly, in no way involved in their coach search right now.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.