Game Over with Max Kellerman & Rich Paul — Episode Summary
Episode: Giannis Reaction, NFL Coaching Carousel, and State of the Agent Business
Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Max Kellerman & Rich Paul
Produced by: The Ringer
Overview
In this episode, Max Kellerman and super-agent Rich Paul cover the latest seismic shifts in the NBA and NFL, sharing unfiltered insights on the reported Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, NFL coaching changes, and the evolving landscape of the sports agent business. With their trademark blend of candor, humor, and deep industry knowledge, Max and Rich unpack front-office moves, player development trends, and the sometimes-messy world of representation. The conversation swings from 90s nostalgia to serious debate over the meaning of greatness in sports — and what agents and players really owe to each other.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. 90s Inspiration, Gear, and Music (00:39–04:15)
- The episode kicks off with light banter about 90s fashion (Averex/Avirex jackets, Timberland boots, and throwback rap album “Harlem World”).
- Rich explains his outfit is inspired by the movie Belly and his Cleveland roots:
- Rich Paul: “These are the 40 belows...we call them super Tims in Cleveland. Tupac rocked these on Juice…” [00:58]
- They reminisce about shopping at local Cleveland stores and how music and style defined an era.
- Rich explains his outfit is inspired by the movie Belly and his Cleveland roots:
2. College Basketball and Player Development (04:15–07:28)
- Deep dive into the high quality of this year’s freshman class; focus on differences between “training” and “development.”
- Rich notes the sophistication and basketball IQ of current prospects, crediting quality development over mere training:
- Rich Paul: “There’s a difference between training and development...I’m seeing guys play with better pace, make the right pass out of double teams.” [04:43]
- They mention standouts like Caleb Wilson (UNC), players from Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, and “sleeper” Isaiah Harwell (Houston).
- Max Kellerman: “It looks like there are multiple teams with at least NBA rotation pieces.” [06:03]
- Rich notes the sophistication and basketball IQ of current prospects, crediting quality development over mere training:
3. NBA Bombshell: Giannis Trade Rumors (08:26–24:02)
The Trade Deadline Chessboard
- Max introduces news that the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly open to listening to trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- Rich initially refuses to comment directly, referencing “fake news” and trade deadline chaos:
- Rich Paul: “I’ve been in enough fake news this week. I don’t want to talk about anything.” [09:55]
- Rich initially refuses to comment directly, referencing “fake news” and trade deadline chaos:
- Max analyzes potential suitors for Giannis:
- Teams named: Atlanta, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Lakers, San Antonio Spurs.
- Detailed breakdown of what a Giannis trade would require: matching contracts, draft capital, young talent, expiring deals.
- Rich Paul: “If you want a first-team All-NBA level player, you’re going to need assets, multiple firsts, young talent, and expiring contracts.” [20:41]
- Rich explains the impact of the “second apron” (salary cap) rules and why that complicates deals for some teams:
- Rich Paul: “There’s a lot of second apron teams…now you can’t aggregate contracts. You have to get under the apron.” [14:17]
- Max pushes for specifics—“Does Giannis make the Knicks, Hawks, or Warriors a real title threat this season?”—but Rich side-steps, citing his professional role.
- Ongoing friendly tension as Max seeks clarity and Rich guards industry secrets due to the sensitive timing.
Notable Quotes
- Max Kellerman (about trade aggressiveness):
“Your window of opportunity to actually win a championship…maximum you’re gonna get is three years…if you have the ability to be aggressive, be aggressive.” [19:16] - Rich Paul (on trade realities):
“No one wants to lose the trade…there’s a lot that goes into trades. It’s not as simple as, ‘Oh, I’d do it like this.’” [22:08]
4. NFL Coaching Carousel (24:32–33:54)
Cleveland Browns & New York Giants
- News: Todd Monken hired as head coach by the Cleveland Browns (from Baltimore).
- Rich (a Browns fan) is optimistic about the culture Monken brings:
- Rich Paul: “He’s going to bring a calmness to the locker room, a confidence...demand professionalism, practice habits…all the things it takes to be a really good team.” [26:38]
- Rich (a Browns fan) is optimistic about the culture Monken brings:
- Max is frustrated Monken didn't join the Giants’ staff but recognizes the move is good for Monken.
Chargers, Steelers & Broader Trends
- Chargers praised for pairing Harbaugh with Mike McDaniels as OC—seen as a “great chess move” [28:58]
- Steelers hire Mike McCarthy as head coach post-Tomlin, sparking debate:
- Max wonders if fans were too quick to want Tomlin gone, highlighting Tomlin’s ability to overachieve with less.
- Discuss McCarthy’s Super Bowl with Rodgers, but contrast with underachievement relative to talent.
Notable Quotes
- Rich Paul: “The expectations have changed...losing is not tolerated. There’s going to be some accountability.” [27:22]
5. Max’s Rant: Belichick, GOAT Status, and the Hall of Fame (34:17–44:06)
- Max launches into a rant about Bill Belichick being snubbed as a first-ballot Hall of Famer:
- Max Kellerman: “Bill Belichick is not a first ballot hall of Famer. That is ridiculous.” [34:25]
- Discusses Belichick’s career, Brady vs. Belichick debate, and the effect of post-Brady seasons on Belichick’s “undisputed GOAT” status.
- Rich maintains that it’s impossible to have an “undisputed” GOAT coach in football, pointing out the team and partner dynamics.
- Rich Paul: “There is no such thing as an undisputed goat coach. An undisputed heavyweight champion is one thing—you’re bringing boxing into football.” [39:54]
- Both critique how voting and institutional politics influence Hall of Fame selections, with Rich sharing frustrations from the NBA world too.
- Rich Paul: “You got somebody voting that I believe shouldn’t have a vote.” [41:06]
6. State of the Agent Business & College Sports (45:56–68:28)
NIL, Transfers, and Regulating a Chaotic Landscape
- Prompted by a recent high-profile college transfer, Rich is asked how he’d fix the messiness of current college sports.
- He advocates for recognizing college football/basketball as professional leagues, introducing contracts and transfer fees:
- Rich Paul: “There should be transfer fees that come with that within the transfer window…because that’s the only thing that really screws it up.” [47:51]
- Highlights the lack of certification for NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) agents and resulting chaos and lack of business standards.
- Suggests a structure akin to the European soccer model—or potentially a separate, consolidated league for top Power 5 schools in football.
- He advocates for recognizing college football/basketball as professional leagues, introducing contracts and transfer fees:
- Max and Rich lament the historic unfairness for college athletes, recalling the NCAA’s “cream cheese on a bagel” level of regulation.
Agents: Saturation, Skill, and Misconceptions
- Rich details how the agent field is overpopulated (“5,000 agents for 450 NBA players”), leading to undercutting and diluted expertise.
- Reflects on his own career path—how being close to LeBron created unique opportunities but required proving his skills through hard work outside basketball:
- Rich Paul: “I did not represent LeBron until his ninth year in the league…because he’d seen me recruit and work in every side of the industry.” [57:44]
- Emphasizes the difference between “building a book of business” and actually “building a business.”
- Warns young agents and families against a purely transactional mindset and stresses relationships and real expertise.
- Reflects on his own career path—how being close to LeBron created unique opportunities but required proving his skills through hard work outside basketball:
The Jerry Maguire Effect
- Debates how movies like Jerry Maguire created unrealistic and theatrical views of sports agents:
- Rich Paul: “It was a love story—it’s not an agent story. The ‘show me the money’ thing, it’s a magic trick...the reality is, it’s a very hard job.” [61:38]
7. Closing Banter: Eddie Murphy Movies & More (69:41–End)
- Light-hearted back-and-forth about classic Eddie Murphy films (Trading Places, Coming to America, Harlem Nights), and comedy legends like Jamie Foxx.
- Plans to bracket best comedians/actors as a future show topic.
- Playful ribbing about time management and who talks more in each episode.
- Ending tease: Next episode will discuss the shoe business, LeBron/Wemby, and NFL running backs.
Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps
- “You decide the weather. Depending on where you want to be — if you can go wherever you want.”
- — Rich Paul (09:15), waxing philosophical about wealth and mobility.
- On Giannis trade speculation:
- “Does he make the Knicks a legit championship threat this season? I say yes to that.”
— Max Kellerman (16:38) - [Rich repeatedly declines to comment, citing trade deadline ethics.]
- “Does he make the Knicks a legit championship threat this season? I say yes to that.”
- On leadership hires:
- “Losing is not tolerated...a loser’s mindset—there’s going to be some accountability.”
— Rich Paul (27:22)
- “Losing is not tolerated...a loser’s mindset—there’s going to be some accountability.”
- On Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub:
- “He should be a First Ballot Hall of Famer. I don’t care if it was Spygate.”
— Rich Paul (39:47)
- “He should be a First Ballot Hall of Famer. I don’t care if it was Spygate.”
- On the chaos of the NIL/agent world:
- “Anybody can be an NIL agent. There’s no certification...then what brings forth a proper protocol within that? There’s a lack thereof.”
— Rich Paul (48:00)
- “Anybody can be an NIL agent. There’s no certification...then what brings forth a proper protocol within that? There’s a lack thereof.”
- On agent reality:
- “Most people think, ‘Oh, LeBron just gave Rich the opportunity.’ I did not represent LeBron until his ninth year in the league…”
— Rich Paul (57:14)
- “Most people think, ‘Oh, LeBron just gave Rich the opportunity.’ I did not represent LeBron until his ninth year in the league…”
Notable Segments (by Timestamp)
- Early banter on fashion/90s nostalgia: 00:39–04:15
- Freshman college hoops & NBA draft prospects: 04:15–07:28
- Giannis trade talk (deep-dive): 08:26–24:02
- Max’s trade breakdown: 11:34
- Rich’s trade philosophy & NBA realities: 13:14, 20:41, 22:08
- NFL coaching carousel: 24:32–33:54
- Browns/Monken: 24:45
- Chargers/Steelers/McCarthy-Tomlin: 28:58–33:54
- Max’s “Belichick rant”: 34:17–44:06
- State of the agent business/college sports/NIL: 45:56–68:28
- Concrete suggestions for NIL/college transfers: 47:51, 51:06
- Closing (comedy/movie banter): 69:41–end
Tone & Style
- Energetic, authentic, and often playful. Rich frequently punctuates industry wisdom with humor and a refusal to give away trade secrets, while Max keeps the conversation moving and challenges his cohost to go deeper.
- Several moments of playful argument (e.g., who talks more, who put whom onto a classic album).
For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In
This episode is essential for anyone interested in the real business behind headline sports stories:
- Why NBA superstars rarely move — and what it takes if they do
- How the NFL’s new coaching crop will shape teams
- How the agent industry actually works, versus the Hollywood hype
- Why the college sports world is chaos — and what might fix it
With honesty, expertise, and moments of pure comedy, Max and Rich make sense of a fast-shifting landscape, never shying away from the tough questions.
Next up: LeBron/Wemby, the shoe business, and the hosts’ all-time running back debate—plus more on trading places, in sports and life.