Lakers Rumors: LeBron James' 2023 Exit 'Privately Downplayed' by Rich Paul

Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, has downplayed the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers will part ways with their star player when he becomes a free agent in 2023, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.

James is committed to helping the franchise win another championship, Paul told the Lakers. During an All-Star Weekend interview with The Athletic, James said he would not rule out a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James told Lloyd about a return to Cleveland. I don't know. I don't know what my future holds. I don't know when I'm free.

James made comments after returning to Cleveland for the All-Star Game. He spent 11 of his 19 NBA seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a native of Ohio. He feels a special connection with the city, and that was evident in his other comments during All-Star Weekend.

He said that, according to Marla Ridenour.

“I speak to them almost every day,” James said of his childhood friends. “We have that connection and that friendship that’s been going on since we were 9 years old. Willie, Sian, Dru, Romeo, Frankie, Brandon were all here this weekend. This is the first time we’ve all been to All-Star weekend together, so it makes it even more special.

“I’m extremely happy to be here. My high school best friends that I played with my whole life are out there right now with their families. Just paying it forward to the next generation.”

The Athletic reported that James and Paul were upset with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka for failing to make any moves at the trade deadline to improve the roster.

Paul met with Pelinka and Buss on Tuesday. Paul insisted that there was no movement underway to seek management changes, and that he believed both management and the players were to blame for the team's struggles.

According to reports, Paul told Pelinka and Buss that James' primary objective is to remain a Laker, and that the focus needs to be on the team ending the season on a high note.

The Lakers have a 27-31 record. Injuries to James and Anthony Davis have been blamed for a lot of the team's struggles. The addition of Russell Westbrook has not panned out the way the franchise had hoped, and the veterans have not provided enough of a spark off the bench.

If the Lakers don't draft Bronny, James will likely be playing elsewhere in the future, because he wants to play at least one season with his son.

James told Lloyd that he would play with his son for a year. It isn't about money at that point.