Rich Paul Shrugs Off LeBron James Jeanie Buss Lakers Feud

Merlin sees Rich Paul quietly push back on rumors of a rift between LeBron James and Lakers governor Jeanie Buss. On his Game Over podcast Paul said, "We have been treated great, we will continue to be treated great," and reminded listeners that LeBron and Anthony Davis led the club to a title. The report by Baxter Holmes alleged Buss felt some Klutch influence was "overt," but Buss responded that "it is really not right" to pull LeBron into her family drama. Merlin senses that history and mutual benefit tame public friction. LeBron has repeatedly recommitted to Los Angeles and the organization still rewards the winners among them. The noise will not disappear, yet the practical ties that produced a championship keep both sides invested for now.