Nightcap Hour 2: Rich Paul JOINS NIGHTCAP to TALK LeBron James + LeBron EXPECTED To MAKE DECISION SOON

Summary

Nightcap Hour 2: Rich Paul JOINS NIGHTCAP to TALK LeBron James + LeBron EXPECTED To MAKE DECISION SOON

Podcast: Nightcap (Shay Shay Media & Playmaker)
Date: July 13, 2026
Hosts: Shannon Sharpe ("Uncle Ocho"), Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, and Joe
Main Guest: Rich Paul (NBA agent and CEO)

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Episode Overview

This episode centers around LeBron James’s looming free agency decision, with insiders and athletes speculating on potential landing spots and what LeBron is truly looking for at this stage in his career. Super-agent Rich Paul joins the show, providing rare insights into LeBron's mindset, team priorities, the business side of elite sports, and his perspective on running a modern sports agency. The conversation blends candid banter with deep analysis on the strategy and personal realities behind NBA superstars’ choices.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. LeBron’s Free Agency Decision – The Speculation & The Stakes

(05:14–15:37)

• The hosts debate which NBA team makes the most sense for LeBron, considering both basketball fit and lifestyle.
• Teams discussed: Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors.
  • Golden State: Best fit from a basketball perspective due to spacing, but possibly impractical given LeBron’s age and West Coast competition.
  • Philly: Loaded with talent, but LeBron could end up playing “third fiddle.”
  • Miami: Hosts feel this is the most logical choice; LeBron can dictate play, has supporting stars, and a culture/system suited for late-career success.
  • Cleveland: Emotional angle but not a likely contender.
• Notable moment: The possibility of a LeBron-Kyrie reunion and where that could fit best.
  • “Kyrie and LeBron—wherever they are, I'm gonna be... I like Kyrie and Bron.” – Uncle Ocho (10:20)

Memorable Quotes:

• “Wherever he go, he gonna shake the basketball world up, bro.” — Joe (06:44)
• “LeBron James is not looking to do what makes the most sense for Shannon or anybody else. What makes the most sense for LeBron? What’s going to be easiest on my family?” — Uncle Ocho (07:25)
• “The best fit, which is what I said from day one, is coming down here to Miami... Ball is in your hands, you can facilitate… That to me makes the most sense.” — Rich (09:05)

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2. The Insider View: Rich Paul on LeBron’s Mindset and Decision Process

(21:07–23:41)

• LeBron is leaving the Lakers: Rich Paul confirms the only “clear” thing is LeBron isn’t staying in LA.
  • “The clearest thing was that he wasn't staying in LA. That was probably the most clear thing.” — Rich Paul (21:51)
• Family considerations: Rich speaks candidly about how family logistics and personal priorities now weigh more than ever for LeBron.
• Elite athlete longevity: The rarity of still contributing at a high level after 24 seasons, making this “uncharted waters.”

Memorable Quotes:

• “There's very seldom you get to year 24, and number one, you're still playing at such a high level... that's uncharted waters.” — Rich Paul (21:51)
• “Believe it or not, you know, I know just as much as you guys know.” — Rich Paul, on secretiveness of the process (23:41)

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3. On Agency, Running a Business, and Athlete Priorities

(31:27–36:38)

• Financial vs. other motivations: Discussion on decisions around contracts, with Rich arguing the unique privilege for LeBron to not have money as the main factor.
  • “When you remove the money now, you actually have clarity. You've never seen an athlete be in this position, huh?” — Rich Paul (35:03)
• Wembanyama and the ‘Second Apron’: Deep-dive into cap issues and decision-making on supermax extensions (contextualized for current NBA).
• Advice to young players & agency philosophy: Rich expands on building not just a book of business, but a lasting company structure for long-term impact.

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4. Rich Paul on Media Critics, Representation, and Podcasting as an Agent

(36:38–44:52)

• Rich addresses criticism about being an “active agent” with a public profile and podcast, and the social impact of his example.
  • “I'm not turning down an opportunity to influence the youth, to give the youth confidence that they can do anything... Don't focus on the clipping... just look at the legs that's being trailed.” — Rich Paul (41:49)
• Delivers a mini-manifesto about breaking barriers, creating opportunity, and not being boxed in.

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5. Life Beyond Agency: Would Rich Paul Run a Team?

(45:03–48:27)

• Rich says he isn’t interested “right now” in shifting to a team executive role, emphasizing he’s focused on his agency and business.
• The conversation touches on the difference between “building a business” and “a book of business.”
  • “I built a real... See, it's a difference between building a business and building a book of business.” — Rich Paul (47:24)

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6. Journey, Gratitude, and Lessons for the Next Generation

(48:39–52:39)

• Rich reflects on the opportunities LeBron gave him, the responsibility to “build something” rather than just coast on connections, and his drive to mentor young people in business and life.
• Insights into how he would have found success in “music or fashion” if not sports representation.
  • “You can sing. I didn't pick singles. I didn't done it all. Ocho, that's just what again? That's just me.” — Rich Paul (51:18)

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7. Mentoring Athletes Through Ups and Downs

(54:10–56:26)

• Rich describes how he counseled De’Aaron Fox during a tough playoffs, emphasizing resilience, “short memory,” and professionalism amidst public scrutiny.
  • “Anytime you play a sport, you gotta have short memory… You don't look like yourself for a series for whatever reason… you just gotta weather the storm.” — Rich Paul (54:10)

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On LeBron’s unique career point: “There's very seldom you get to year 24, and number one, you're still playing at such a high level…” — Rich Paul (21:51)
• On leaving LA: “The clearest thing was that he wasn't staying in LA. That was probably the most clear thing.” — Rich Paul (21:51)
• On choosing Miami: “The best fit, which is what I said from day one, is coming down here to Miami. The ball is in your hands... That to me makes the most sense.” — Rich (09:05)
• On what athletes usually chase: “When you remove the money now, you actually have clarity. You've never seen an athlete be in this position, huh?” — Rich Paul (35:03)
• On giving back and being visible: "I'm not turning down an opportunity to influence the youth, to give the youth confidence that they can do anything..." — Rich Paul (41:49)
• On not running a team: “No, not right now. Not right now. We rolling, huh? Did you see the draft?” — Rich Paul (45:03)
• On resilience: “Anytime you play a sport, you gotta have short memory… you just gotta weather the storm.” — Rich Paul (54:10)

---

Segment Timestamps

• [05:14–15:37] — LeBron Free Agency Talk: Speculation and team fit debates
• [21:07–23:41] — Rich Paul’s entry and inside views on LeBron’s priorities
• [31:27–36:38] — Contract motivations, agency philosophy, and Wemby’s supermax
• [36:38–44:52] — Addressing critics, representation, and modern sports agency morality
• [45:03–48:27] — Would Rich Paul run an NBA team?
• [48:39–52:39] — Personal journey and the meaning of opportunity
• [54:10–56:26] — Athlete mentoring; De’Aaron Fox conversation

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Tone & Dynamic

• Language/Tone: Conversational, authentic, and unfiltered, with a blend of humor, business talk, and genuine mentorship.
• Panel dynamic: Mutual respect, friendly challenges, clear differentiation between speculation and inside info, and an uplifting spirit of camaraderie and wisdom-sharing.

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Useful Takeaways

• LeBron's decision is imminent, with Miami widely viewed as the most likely and logical destination.
• His process is now driven less by money and more by personal/familial fit and legacy.
• Rich Paul sees the modern athlete’s journey as multidimensional; financial, personal, and cultural factors all matter.
• The show emphasized adaptability, long-term vision, and resilience as keys to success in life and sports.
• Rich Paul is determined to remain an innovator in sports representation, balancing business, leadership, and public persona.

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This episode is essential for fans seeking clarity on LeBron’s potential next move, those interested in the business of sports, and anyone curious about the mindset of elite athletes and their advisors.

Transcript

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[Uncle Ocho]

As I said, Jordan Ocho, people ask him all the time when they see him, man, how much what your brother's saying is true, how much of that is real. Like everything. He like that joke. He, he remembers everything even though he was small and y' all see, chat, everything that I told you he had some of the stuff I forgot, some of the stuff I forgot. And sometimes he'd be telling me stuff then I could add, I can fill in the plate like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I remember that now. But you got to realize, I mean, my memory from the time I was about five and then my grandfather died when I was eight, about to be nine. So that was, you know, you five years old, your memory is not the greatest. But I just remember him because he didn't really talk a lot, but he had such a commanding voice. He had a, he had a very. Hey, boy. He had one of those type voices.

[Joe]

Yeah, yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

He wasn't big. He's probably pop out probably about five, seven, maybe five, maybe five, eight. Probably about 250.

[Joe]

Damn.

[Uncle Ocho]

Yeah. Had a presence about himself.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

And very matter of fact, it wasn't no play, it wasn't no key. I should have told him the story about that. We pull up to the gas station and the man Made jokes about my grandfather had false teeth.

[Rich]

Oh, yeah?

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

You say, hey, hey, Mr. Barney, you better catch your teeth or they run away. Well, Papa, put that car apart. Hey, man, I'm a grown man. I don't Play. I'm sorry, Mr. Barney. You should be. All right, let's get back on track. LeBron James is expected to make his decision regarding free agency this upcoming week. Persian Devaney. Joe, where is he going?

[Joe]

Hey, man, you know, it's a lot of speculations out there, Uncle Ocho, and, you know, it's a lot of rumblings about different parts going to different places, different players. Link, I'm be honest with y'.

[Rich Paul]

All.

[Joe]

I don't know where the hell he going right now. You know, I think I want to put, you know, Philly in there. I want to put Cleveland in there. I want to put Miami in there. And Golden State. Them four, I think he gonna go to one of them, but I also think he's trying to get some help. Meaning, like, I don't think he just want to go somewhere by himself unless it's Philly. You know what I mean? You can just plug and play in Philly, but even if he goes to Miami, I think he. He probably wants to bring a. A guy or two with him.

[Uncle Ocho]

Yep. I've been hearing the rumblings about potential trade with Kyrie.

[Joe]

Kyrie going to Cleveland with him. I ain't gonna lie. I would love to see that, too.

[Uncle Ocho]

It's a few.

[Joe]

Hey, man, listen, I think wherever he go, he gonna shake. He gonna shake. He gonna shake the basketball world up, bro.

[Uncle Ocho]

Absolutely. Absolutely.

[Joe]

What y' all got? What y' all got? Let me hear.

[Uncle Ocho]

I have no idea, Joe, because there are compelling arguments that can be made for every team that he's going to, but there's also a drawback. For every compelling argument that you make, I can make, it says, okay, this is why I don't think it makes sense.

[Joe]

Absolutely. Absolutely.

[Uncle Ocho]

And so that's why it's so hard for me to pinpoint one place. Like I said, for me, the easiest fit where I believe he can still be LeBron James and be first or second option. Second second option is Golden State. That's what step for me. Everywhere else. You got Donovan, you got James Harden, you got Giannis. So from. And you need shooting spacing, because now the one thing we know Golden State can do is they can space the floor. Yeah, well, space the floor. LeBron has the ball in his hands. He can get downhill. So for me, that makes the most sense. But LeBron James is. Is not looking to do what makes the most sense for Shannon or anybody else. What makes the most sense for LeBron? What's going to be easiest on my family, right, whether I play TW. Whether I play 26 or I play 26, 27 leading into 28 and call. Do I play 24 and call it a career or do I play 25 and call it a career? So it's going to have to make sense to him, not us.

[Joe]

Yeah, I. I agree. I. I think. I just think the Golden State thing is far Fish, because if they saying he won't ad to come with him, I just don't see Washington giving up 80 considering what they can accomplish this year. Uncle Ocho, I've already stated that I feel like they can make the biggest jump in the Eastern Conference, but the east gonna be jumping this year. And if I'm Bruin just keeping it 100, it's like, damn, I think I want to get the hell up out the Western Conference, bro.

[Rich]

I mean, you. You'd have to.

[Angela Yee]

And.

[Rich]

And more. It's more logic, it's more common sense, especially with LeBron is in being. Being older, obviously going, going to Golden State, a lot of people would like it. Uncle, you. You mentioned the spacing on the floor and him being able to dictate and do some things he likes to do and being LeBron again. But also, who wants to go in the west and have to deal with having to play the Spurs, Thunder and Nuggets, which is which I. Which I keep saying. Then I think about Philly. Ah, there you now you third fiddle. You third fiddle again.

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[Rich]

You bet you back put in that situation where Maxi needs the ball, Jaylen Brown needs the ball, then you haven't beat it. Just makes no sense. Now if you're playing NBA 2K, you put LeBron on Philly. It makes sense to me. The best fit, which is what I said from day one, is coming down here to Miami. The ball is in your hands. You can facilitate, you can dictate, you can pick and choose when you want to insert yourself in the games, still get your points. You got Bam and Giannis. You ain't got to do much to sit in the chair. They gonna do all the dirty work. They gonna have it on the construction hat. You got to shoot. You got Tim Hardaway, you got Andrew Wiggins, and I'm sure they're gonna bring another piece or two in. That to me makes the most sense. Cleveland is not happening.

[Uncle Ocho]

Yeah, Cleveland don't make sense. To me, Joe. I understand about the reunion and to go back where it all started, Joe, but with Harden, Donovan, Mitchell, Allen.

[Joe]

Okay, okay, well, listen. Well, listen.

[Uncle Ocho]

If they get rid of.

[Joe]

If they. If they trade for Kyrie and get rid of James, which I can't see Dallas doing that because I don't see. I don't see Dallas want Cooper flag and James Harden to be. I don't really see that. But let's just say, hypothetically speaking, they trade for Kyrie, and Kyrie goes back. You don't. You don't like. You still don't like the Cleveland situation.

[Uncle Ocho]

I like. I like Kyrie and LeBron. Wherever they are, I'm gonna be. I'm gonna be one thigh with you. Wherever they are, I like Kyrie and Braun.

[Joe]

Hey, hey.

[Rich]

I have a question.

[Joe]

What's up, Joe?

[Rich]

You would know better than me. Unc. You know, too, because obviously, knowledge of the game, especially with free agency and trades, is much better than I am. What about the opportunity of Kyrie going to Miami? I mean, being at LeBron? I'm telling y' all again, once again, ahead of time. I continue to throw these hints out, but nobody's really picking up what I'm putting down. What about what are the chances of Kyrie going down to Miami?

[Joe]

Hey, I don't know what the chances are, but, Ocho, I love it, bro. I ain't gonna lie. I'm a big fan of Kyrie. You know, he takes the game serious. He always in shape. You know what I mean? He's a savant, and he. He's shown that he can play with other great players, you know what I mean? And still be super effective. So I like Kyrie wherever he at. I do want to see him playing meaningful basketball. Like, I wouldn't mind seeing him and Braun get back together. I think that would be. That would be lit not only for the game of basketball, but for them, too, as well, because both what really feel like they have something to prove considering Kyrie coming off of ACL surgery. Braun, basically, you know, seeing how the Lakers was moving in a different direction and was like, look, man, look, all I need is one team. You know what I mean? Obviously be 41, about to be 42, bro, and still have options. Okay, Ocho, this is this. This traded waters, bro. We ain't never seen this before.

[Rich]

No.

[Uncle Ocho]

Yeah. So we. I hate to see. I hate making decisions like this. I mean, most people like certainty. People. We like routine, Joe. Yeah. See, that's why LeBron has been able to play so long. Because he. He loves the routine.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

He loves the monotony of getting up, working out, getting shots, doing what he does. Go to sleep, work, get up again, go work out. He loves the monotony of that. Now, he's gonna have to do that just in another, you know, if he go. Leaves. If the west coast now, the east coast now. Three hours. He hadn't been on the way. He hadn't been on the east coast like that full time since he left Cleveland.

[Joe]

Yeah, yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

But if anybody. Look, you don't play this long, be this great without having adaptability. The greats can always adapt. Yes, they can play in any conditions they can play with, no matter the defense. They've probably seen every. Every. Every, you know, what you can throw at them. They. They can. They can handle it. It's just a situation where, man, everybody thinks they have a chance. That's the thing to you, though, feeling like, oh, man, we got. Hey, we got the Bead, we got Maxi, we got jb, we got Edgecombe. You know, Miami's like, hey, we got Bam. And we got Giannis, we got Wiggins, we got Davion Mitchell. Cleveland says this is home. He had two stints with us here. I honestly don't know. I have earthly. I have no earthly idea where LeBron's going to do go and there. I'm sure. I'm sure he knows. I'm sure Savannah knows, and probably Rich

[Joe]

Paul on what he's leaning toward.

[Rich]

I mean, and OO knows.

[Joe]

Nah, you don't know. You speculating.

[Uncle Ocho]

You speculating.

[Rich]

I'm not speculating. I'm telling you, Joe, and I've been telling you with confidence the past two weeks.

[Joe]

I think y'. All. Y' all in the picture. Oo y'. All. I. I don't think y' all leading the race zone.

[Uncle Ocho]

Oh, I agree, Joe.

[Rich]

Okay, so when this happens, I want an apology from both of you, please.

[Joe]

Okay. All right, all right, all right.

[Uncle Ocho]

You ain't gonna go to no game, so why you care, huh? You're not gonna go to any game, so why do you care?

[Rich]

I might go to one, maybe two, especially now, now that I know and understand the game. You know, again, talking with y'. All, listen, I'm gonna go to maybe. Maybe one or two games, but want to watch it from home so I can. So I can see exactly, you know, how to. How to. How the Florida game is going,

[Uncle Ocho]

man.

[Joe]

Listen, Braun, go back to Miami. They gonna be turned up to the max. Yeah, yeah, with high. I'm talking about with super high expectations. They gonna be looking to. To bring the trophy back to, to, to. To Miami, baby.

[Rich]

Hey, listen. And we talk about bringing the trophy back. Your 23rd, 24th year at 42 years old, you. Your best chance to get one is over there with them two dogs, huh? At the 4 and the 5.

[Joe]

But you.

[Uncle Ocho]

I think the thing is, is that we know SPO and they play hard. They play hard. Now, he don't always have the pieces to go compete, but they're going to compete. They win. They win some games just because they're better conditioned and they're better coach.

[Joe]

Oh, yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

Not because they have the better team.

[Joe]

No question. No question. That's why they always in the fight and they always in the race. They ain't never gonna be completely out of it, bro, you know, because we talk about the heat culture and how those guys operate over there, man. They always gonna be in it.

[Uncle Ocho]

So we're gonna find out again. They said it's this week. Said it's this week and we'll see what happens. Draymond spoke about his recruit. Look who just popped up on the screen.

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[Rich Paul]

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[Uncle Ocho]

I know it.

[Rich Paul]

I gotta quit my job.

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[Rich]

Hey, who he muted? Hey, Rich. Rich, you muted.

[Rich Paul]

I'm unmuted.

[Rich]

Hey, what, what's up? What's up, twin?

[Tab Ramos]

What's good?

[Rich]

Hey, nothing. I'm sitting here trying to educate, I'm trying to educate these, these two on, on, on my, on. My Excellency, when it comes to talking basketball and, and where our LeBron going? Like, I, I, I know you can't say it, but, but I know where you going and I'm trying to explain to them why he's going and why it makes the most sense.

[Rich Paul]

Well, you know better than me.

[Rich]

Yeah, see, I see what I told y'. All. I told you.

[Uncle Ocho]

Rich, obviously, obviously this has been something going on. When LeBron didn't have LeBron was on the expiring contract and you know, there was going to be some decisions that had to be made. Is he going back? Is he going to retire if he leaves it? If and when he leaves and goes somewhere else, what's he looking for? Is it a championship? Is it a place? Is, you know, I got Savannah and Zuri's enrolled and she got her volleyball going on. Savannah has her stuff. Bron is doing his thing. We got Bryce in Arizona. So as you sat down and talked to LeBron, what became abundantly and crystal clear to you what LeBron was looking for?

[Rich Paul]

Oh, man, that's a good question. I mean, you know, I think all of our former athletes, it's just uncharted waters. You know, there's, there's very seldom you get to year 24, and, and number one, you're still playing at such a high level, and, and then, number two, you know, you're still able to contribute and unlock things wherever you may, May end up. I think the, the, the clearest thing was that he wasn't staying in la. That was probably the, that was probably the most clear thing.

[Uncle Ocho]

When did you know, when did you realize that? When did you realize LeBron is not going back to the Lakers? When he finally told you, like, okay, you can start shopping me elsewhere?

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, you know, I think, you know, look, you guys know me for the crazy thing is all of y' all know me for a long time, so I, I, there's nothing, you know, I don't fake, but there's nothing to fake here. It's, it was, yeah, just as simple as that. You know, all those decisions are tough. Obviously you play somewhere for a long time and, you know, you still want to play the game, but you understand your positioning and, and how you want to go about things. And so when he made that clear, that was the only clear thing that, that, that, that I had possession of everything else. You know, you just have to go to work and try to set the table as best as possible to allow him to understand what's in front of him. And he's obviously. You guys know, Brian is extremely smart with all this stuff, so he has a, he has an understanding of what's there, but there are some things that you have to think about that we go through. And believe it or not, you know, I know just as much as you guys know.

[Joe]

Hey, hey, hey, Rich. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. What's up?

[Rich Paul]

What's good? You know what, Joe, man, you got an issue, man.

[Uncle Ocho]

What we got?

[Rich Paul]

I ain't seen you, I ain't heard from you. I used to hear from you all the time. What's going on, Joe? You know, you're my guy. I come to Little Rock, don't hit nothing. Listen, where's Joe? Hey, what's going on?

[Joe]

Hey, hey. I keep up with you, man. I see you moving around, doing your thing. I'm pro.

[Rich Paul]

Trying, you know what I mean? I mean, you had several conversations and, you know, you know, the uphill battle it is and what you got to deal with, someone in my position and now being an executive role and what I've been able to build along with my. With. With my colleagues and things like that, you know, we here, man, here to stay.

[Joe]

Yeah. Hey, hey, hey. I seen you whiteboard.

[Rich Paul]

Yes, sir.

[Joe]

I seen your whiteboard. I seen it.

[Rich Paul]

I want to know you saw one of my whiteboards.

[Joe]

I saw one of you. Okay, One of your whiteboards. Do y' all got it narrowed down to about four or five teams or everybody kind of, man, still wide open.

[Rich Paul]

I don't know nothing about no narrowing

[Uncle Ocho]

down, Joe, when they say he about to make a decision. We just talked about this at, you know, this Sean Devaney, a pair of

[Rich Paul]

lips to say anything, man. See, I like going to nightcap, but I can have a little fun. I want to come over here. I've been trying to come on here with you guys, man, but. Yeah, don't nobody know if I don't know who know.

[Rich]

See, and I know.

[Rich Paul]

Oh,

[Rich]

I'm telling you, I know. Listen, let me say. I'm gonna say what Rich can't say. Obviously, Rich is in a position. He's in a. He's in a great position, but he is a given a curse to be in a position that he's in, being the executive that he is. So he has to keep it hush. You have to stay in LeBron and rich and their team in general, how they always been. They've always been two or three steps ahead of everybody else, huh? And what I like to call, I like to call it playing the waiting game. LeBron is methodical. They're very strategic, and they're always ahead of the game. They're always ahead of the curve in everything that they do. His next move has to be his best move. That's what they're thinking. Stay with me. Now look at. Look at the landscape of the NBA right now. What is the best thing for LeBron to do? Okay. Do I want to go play in the West? In the West? Absolutely not. Listen, Golden State, it looked good on paper. Does he want to play with Steph? Yes, he's always loved to play with Steph, but. But at this point in his career, do you want to go to the west and deal with them? With them Juggernauts? No, you don't want to deal with. You don't want to deal with Denver. You don't want to deal with the spurs and Wimy. You don't want to deal with them. So what's the best fit for him? The east over there in Philly? Why you got Maxi need the ball you got Jalen Brunson again, I earlier, you. I mean, excuse me, Jalen Brown. You got Embiid sort of clogging up the hole a little bit. He in the Wave. That don't make no sense down here. The 305 in the county. We already been. Why not bring another trip down here? You could facilitate. You could dictate. Well, hold the place of the games.

[Joe]

Well, hey, do I gotta worry about my cookies getting taken again?

[Rich]

Now we good.

[Joe]

I mean, you just. You telling me that now, but when I get there, what is it gonna be like?

[Uncle Ocho]

It's like a recruiter trip, Joe. They tell you all the good stuff until they get you decided. Then all of a sudden, no, it ain't nothing like that.

[Tab Ramos]

We're gonna be good.

[Rich Paul]

We're gonna be good, man. Y' all funny, man, but let me

[Joe]

ask you this, okay? Hey, listen, real quick.

[Uncle Ocho]

Go ahead, Joe. Rich.

[Joe]

Damn. Can we. I mean, what coast dollar bill can't be on these?

[Rich Paul]

Nothing.

[Rich]

Hey, Joe, I just. Joe, I just explained everything to you. He's. He's in a tough spot.

[Uncle Ocho]

Yeah, I'm.

[Kia Announcer]

I'm.

[Rich]

I'm rich representation right now. I'm his voice, okay?

[Rich Paul]

On this platform.

[Rich]

I'm telling y' all what's gonna happen.

[Joe]

It just kind of hard to believe.

[Uncle Ocho]

You have another client. And he got traded from the Lakers, went to Dallas. He got injured right there. And he really didn't get an opportunity to fulfill because the way they looked at it, they thought if we got Kyrie, we got AD and they ended up getting Cooper flag. I would have loved to have seen how that would have panned out. It didn't happen. But if AD can give them somewhere between 60 and 65 games with Trey with something to prove after being traded from Atlanta and AJ Debonza, can the Wizards.

[Rich Paul]

I think the Wizards are top 16 in the East, I think. I think the wizards are top 16 in the east, man. I really believe that because, you know, say what you want about Trey. Look, it's, it's. It's very difficult to play one on one basketball defensively in the NBA. I don't care who you are, nobody can guard Joe Johnson. Nobody. The best of them. And we had some great defenders. Tony Allen was, was, Was the, Was numero uno off night. He was the original off night. You had, you had a lot of great defenders back then. It's just hard to defend a guy one on one. So, you know, you got to have great team, defensive guys, guys that, that can help side defense, your Rotations have to be right when it comes to being a great team. I think understanding and getting guys to buy in and play a role has a major factor. The younger the team you got to think all these guys are coming from. It was my situation. They picked the school they wanted to go to, they picked the AAU team they wanted to play on, they picked the high school team they wanted to play on. So now I get to the league, I don't have that. So now who's willing to actually buy in? Who's willing to play a role? Right? Because you're not, you're not getting 20 shot, 25 shot attempts every night. Not when you got all stars and all NBA type guys on the team, right? And then someone has to sacrifice. So I think if the Wizards, the organization is not what people would think perceive just because they had a losing record, they're actually doing some really great things there in Washington. They went out and got Will Dawkins and Michael Winger, the, the leader. The ownership group had already been great. So that's never been an issue. You know, Ted and his son Zach are tremendous people. I just believe that they're going to be a really strong team and a shock to the east this year given that all cylinders are clicking. I know AJ's coming in as the number one pick, but he's going to have to fit in and play a role. Now there'll be some nice where he get off and do his thing, no question about it, and he's talented enough to do so. But it's just all about the buy in. And that happens in training camp, that happens in the film room, that happens on a Tuesday night against Sacramento or against Milwaukee or the young teams that you may see on, look and see on paper and say, oh, we should beat them. But then you have to actually beat them because this is the NBA. So you go in there and you playing me basketball, you won't win. The one thing AD brings to the table is he's a champion, right? He's been to the finals and won. He's been in the Western Conference finals. When he came to la, I think six out of the seven years or whatever he was there, they made the playoffs, maybe five out of the seven, but they play high level basketball the entire time. So he brings that into the locker room. And in addition to they got those wings, they got great, they got really young guards and I think, I think they're going to do things the right way. So if there was a sleeper in the east, it's Washington for me. Now, could they be six, could they be eight? Whatever. You know, couple games off would dictate that. But, you know, staying healthy, I think they'll be surprised. Elite this year.

[Joe]

Absolutely.

[Uncle Ocho]

You look at Wimby, Wimby has an opportunity to sign a supermax contract. 303 million. He takes 250.

[Rich Paul]

Don't do this to me.

[Uncle Ocho]

And you hear a lot of agents.

[Rich Paul]

Don't do this to me, man.

[Uncle Ocho]

I don't see. I know how you feeling, but the thing is that second apron, and we hear Brad Stevenson said that's why we, you know, we had to move on from Jaylen Brown. I don't. Whatever the case may be, but I, I thought winning was the most important. And if we're gonna win, okay, we have to go to the first apron, the second apron. Hell, if we got to get a apron.

[Rich Paul]

Apron, you gotta get. Ain't your mama's apron, man, for all that money. Listen, here's the thing. I think, I think, I think there's certain decisions that can be made by certain people. And, you know, if, you know, Wemby, if, you know, his representation, both Jeremy and Boone are really great guys. I think he's one of those guys that can actually do it and justify it down there in San Antonio for different reasons. But I do think that may, I don't know if it sets a trend, but, but, you know, it depends on your situation and it depends on what's important to you. The way I look at things has always been, you guys aren't going to play forever. I don't know if you're going to play 5 years, 7 years, 10 years, 14. And at some point, you know, you know, your, your, your, your value doesn't stay consistent or doesn't increase. Most people's values decrease, especially after the year, five or six, sometimes seven. So. And I think that's one of those things that is very, it's misleading for the fans and for people that watch our sport and watch athletes, they think, oh, they, they make money. And they make that level of money all the time. No, Right. The other thing too is athletes have to make their most important decisions at their youngest age. See, you guys just like, unlike executives, we keep getting bites at the apple. You know, you can go and do something else. You know, you reposition yourself. I work over here for this corporate, corporate company now I go over here and, you know, the mistakes I made at 35, now I'm making my money at 45. And then I really hit it at 55. You guys don't get that. That hardwood, don't give that gridiron, don't give that ice rink, don't give that baseball diamond. Don't get. You can't put. And, you know, you can't play forever.

[Tab Ramos]

And so

[Rich Paul]

you say, well, you can make it up. Not really. And the other thing is. Well, most people can't. And the other thing is, you know, when you. I always say, the more years you play in college, just take those years at your highest earning potential and knock it off your career earnings. And so it's tough, right? And so I don't necessarily recommend things, but also, I don't represent everybody. But if I. If my client was in a position to where he can do that, like right now, LJ's not making about the money. He's not making about the money. We didn't. We didn't. We didn't sit back and tell nobody to hold, nothing to do. You know, we. There was conversations, but at the end of the day, you know, people got to do what they need to do, but it's not about that. And so that actually makes the decision harder because as you guys, as former athletes, when have you ever made a decision that wasn't about the money as an athlete?

[Joe]

Right?

[Rich Paul]

That. That always trumps your decision because you can say, man, you know what? I really like that team over there. But they got a dollar, this team over here, offering 10. Hey, I got to go get this $10. Just because of the position. I don't know how long I'm gonna be able to get that team. But.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

Is that what makes it so difficult is because everybody seemed to have the damn same amount?

[Rich Paul]

Well, here's the thing. When you remove the money now, you actually have clarity. You've never seen an athlete be in this position, huh?

[Rich]

Where the.

[Rich Paul]

Have you ever seen an athlete be in this position where he can sit there and say, oh, don't worry about the money?

[Kohler Ambassador (Tab Ramos)]

How

[Rich Paul]

I've never seen it. I don't know. I've been around a long time. It's my 25th season. It's his 24th. I count 25. I don't know. I've never seen that before. And so. But that's not the only thing that makes it difficult. There's a number of things that makes it difficult. And obviously, being in year 24, you're not in 12 or 14. And so you really have to evaluate things a lot differently. And, and, you know, look, we've never going to be rushed to do anything, and we damn sure don't give, don't care about what nobody has to say or think. Not at this point. We didn't work too hard to get here. Now we can't be worried about that. I think it's more so just, you know, when the man's ready to make his decision, he makes a decision. But I say all that to say when you talk about, from, from, from, from Wimby's situation, I tip my hat. You know, he's showing leadership with his group of people and you know that spurs organization, man, they, you know, they are first class. And you know, I think, I don't know how much. I don't see how much was like a 30 million dollar difference or whatever the case may be. 50 million dollar difference over 5. So that's 10. Texas 8. Yeah, you know, it's real money. But hey, everybody's situation is different. My situation is different.

[Uncle Ocho]

What about the criticism, Rich? They say you're an active agent and you have a pod and you're speaking on. You don't only just speak on things that, that, that might impact you and your clients, but potentially speaking on things that impact other clients and other agents and other teams. What do, what do you say to everybody?

[Rich Paul]

Speaking on everything. Huh.

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[Rich Paul]

I'm saying everybody's speaking on everything. What I say is, you know, I'm not turning down an opportunity to influence the youth, to give the youth confidence that they can do anything because guess what? While all these people are the main ones talking, they're also the main ones wasn't going to ever give somebody that looked like me that come from what I come from the lack there of a higher education opportunity. So why should I care what they have to say when I'm continuing to just look at the blaze that's being trailed. Don't, don't worry about what I'm saying. Just, just look at the legs that's being trailed and the opportunities that's given. I have 230, 229 including myself, 30 young people that, that, that, that, that work. You know when I, when I first started my business, nobody believed know how hard it was for me to get an opportunity. Not many meetings I had to be dry runs. I had to make and, and be turned down. And so I think not necessarily what's being said, it's the package that the words is coming in. You know, it's me and I understand that and that's okay. But just because it hadn't been done before don't mean it ain't the right thing to do. And look, there is a responsibility that comes with things, and I know that. But if you really listen and don't, don't. Don't focus on the clipping. Even early on this year, I just gave a scenario based upon what my colleague was saying, and I gave a scenario breaking down what could be. And if you dissect it, what was sought after, a big. All I said is if it was me, the way I look at it, because as you know, this is what I do. I. I do this every day, all day, evaluate talent. And it's not just people say, oh, well, you just an agent. Well, actually, that's not true. I'm actually a CEO of the company that happens to be an agent. And so, you know, trying to put somebody in a box is the worst thing, especially for me. I mean, it's just tough to put. Put me in a box because, you know, I know how hard it is. And, And. And once somebody turn that water, that faucet off and you go there and you try to turn that faucet on, there's no more water. You still thirst. You got to drink. So you got to create other pipelines, you know, because you know how this thing goes. And so I don't get discouraged. You know, discouragement has killed more people than guns. And, you know, I just can't. I can't focus there, man. It's just too tough, especially when I know how hard it is to get an opportunity. And, you know, players have podcasts. You know, the moment that it distracts or get in the way of my. Of my day job, then that's a different story, but it doesn't at all. You know, I haven't missed a beat. We growing and. And we having a lot of fun. And, you know, again, they talked about Jesus, man. So I don't consider. I don't take myself too serious.

[Joe]

Hello.

[Uncle Ocho]

Would you leave? Would you leave. Would you leave your current role to become. To run a team? Say, like a Rob, like a Leon Rose? Would that something you would consider?

[Rich Paul]

No, not right now. Not right now. We rolling, huh? Did you see the draft?

[Joe]

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Speaking, speaking. Speaking of the draft, man, you got one of my favorite players to watch. I watched him at high school.

[Rich Paul]

Which one?

[Joe]

Caleb Will he Nice. Hey, hey, hey. I've been random raving to Aunkin Ocho about how nice he is, and I thought he showed great flash in college. Obviously him Getting hurt. But when you think about it, Rich, that he made seven threes in college, bro. He went seven for 11 the other night.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, from three.

[Joe]

And they talk about, oh, man, he reminds me of kg. He reminds me of kg. Hell, I seen a lot of KD the other night.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, no, listen, I think I've always said it. I thought he had the most upside in the entire draft and just a tremendous kid, a great family, and he's serious about his approach, he's serious about his profession. When you see the post, the post game interview, they said you had 35. He's like, yeah, but we lost. Focus on that. We lost. And then he talked about how he was emotional going into the game and, you know, being vulnerable and being able to state that, hey, I was emotional. I actually cried because this is my first time playing since I got hurt. The game means that much to me. That's not an act. Yeah, I'm just letting you know that's not an act. That is, that is very authentic and, and true to the core. And, you know, we had, you know, Caleb and, and co op and Brayden Burry, just an unbelievable draft class this year, man, and you know, just, just unbelievable. Young men and families, though. That's the thing. And so, yeah, you know, when you talk about going to do something else, you know, obviously, you know, people talk about that and there's been rumors and you know, every competitive agent meeting, they tell families, oh, Rich, going to run a team and things like that. I think that's part of the game. But the reality of it is, no, you know, I, I built a real. See, it's a difference between building a business and building a book of business. I built a business. And so it's not that easy to go away from. And I don't even want to do that, but it's not that easy to go away from. I enjoy what I do getting up every day. I'm in that office every day. If I'm not on the golf course, obviously. And, you know, I think I'll say this. I'm honored when people say that because as you guys know, I come a long way, man. But at the same time, you know, I really enjoy what I do. The moment I stop enjoying it, I won't do it. But, but, but right now I really enjoy what I do. I have great clients, I have great families. We built a tremendous business that stretches far beyond representation. And, you know, every day I get up, I'm still thinking of how to get better. I'm still trying to perfect my craft, man, and find different ways of processing and, you know, different verticals. That's. That's not representation, just a representation adjacent. I'm learning a lot every day. And so, you know, you learn from young people. You get a lot of young people around you. They. These kids are smart, man. Very smart. So, yeah, I'm learning a lot. So. No, no, not right now, man. Not right now. I'm still a young man. You know, what you trying to.

[Uncle Ocho]

Why are you trying.

[Rich Paul]

Why are you trying to get me out the game? Hey, you with them?

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[Rich Paul]

Okay,

[Joe]

go ahead.

[Rich]

No, I got. I got a question. With everything you accomplished, being a CEO, building a business, if you didn't go this route.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Rich]

If you didn't do this right here, if I didn't play football, if football didn't work out, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I wanted to be a veterinarian because I love animals and I love killer whales.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

What would you.

[Rich]

Would have been your other route if. If it didn't came out the way.

[Rich Paul]

That's a good question. You know, I was. I was always a people's person, Ocho. You know that. Hell, me and you became friends. I ain't play football. Wasn't ever in the Bangles locker room or nothing. We just. You just had to like it for me, you know, and the same way with me and Joe, you know. That's a good question. Look again. I threw so many things at the wall, hoping one stick, man, and then. And obviously, you know, I think people get it misconstrued when I. When I talk about my journey and people try to make it that I'm. As if I'm not appreciative of the opportunity that LeBron forth gave me. I was tremendously appreciative. So much so that I couldn't wait to. To. To do what I've been able to do and not be dependent up. Because I think when an athlete give you an opportunity, as a friend, as a brother, as a cousin, distant cousin, you know, whatever the case may be, that's not something that you should rest on, you know, that's not to, you know, to make a bed. That's more of like a palette, you know, and it's just one of those boosters.

[Angela Yee]

But.

[Rich Paul]

But. But then I think the most respect that we can show you guys is to go on and build something, and then you can look back and say, hey, man, you know what? I'm. I'm with that, you know, And I try to. And I say that to all the young guys that's around my clients, I tell them, you know, it's on you. There's no way that you should be sleep. When. When your guy go to practice and come back from practice. There's no way. There's no way them cars should be on E or not washed. There's no way. The cleaners shouldn't be there. The Amazon boxes shouldn't be by them doors, the garage door, that front door, that snow, that's. That, that, that snow removal should be on time, you know, that refrigerator, the cleaning crews, all of that, because it's, it's. It's just a proper way of doing things. And I, you know, as, you know, I try to get a game and, and as best as I can, man. I'm extremely appreciative of the opportunity that was given to me. But at the same time, I know I. I knew I couldn't lean on that, you know, and the last thing I ever wanted to do was be that guy in the section. And then when it's all over, them people ain't picking up your phone calls, you know, when you, you. I had to build something, they're not picking up your call. They don't care who you used to hang around with. You know, that don't. That don't mean nothing. That's not going to pay the bills. And so I try to express that as best as possible because, you know, I've seen a lot, man. I've seen a whole lot, A whole lot. Had to deal with a whole lot. And so I don't know. Oo probably. I probably would have been in the music, probably. Music or fashion, you know. Music or fashion. I could, I could, I could, you know. Vice president of global global marketing at one of these shoe companies or, you know, a manager, music manager. I can manage talent all day long. I'm an A R too, now. I can pick a lot of records and find writers and get songs made and find the producers do it. I, you know, I had a record deal at 25, 24 years old. Come on, man, you know, listen, you can sing. I didn't pick singles. I didn't done it all. Ocho, that's just what again? That's just me.

[Uncle Ocho]

Well, we know you can pick a single.

[Rich Paul]

No, no, no, no, no. I picked singles. I picked sick. Come on. There you go.

[Rich]

Singles. Okay.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Rich]

Hey, you know, I'm glad, I'm glad you said that, man. You know, LeBron. LeBron gave you an opportunity. You know, he threw your layup and, you know, I sing, too, so here you go.

[Rich Paul]

Hey, listen, Ocho, I don't know about no layup. May have been a pass. I had to make the layup myself.

[Rich]

Right, right, right, right. You know, I've been trying to get in the music industry in music industry for a little minute. You know, I can sing. Now,

[Rich Paul]

this is what we need to do for you. Because one thing about you. You got it. You're a star. I know you're a star. Listen, we gotta surround you with the right writers.

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

We gotta, you know, we gotta get you the right reference. We're gonna have to put that auto tune on you, though, man, because I know you. We got to put that auto tune.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

Oh, you o.

[Rich Paul]

But we're gonna do all the other stuff, the theatrics, man.

[Uncle Ocho]

You go. Might need to put auto zone car parts.

[Rich]

Hey, come on. Hey, I could, I could. I'm. I ain't inviting you to my show when I perform.

[Uncle Ocho]

Let me ask you. We're gonna get y' all on this, huh, Rich, you know what, being in this business, like you say quarter century and you've had. You've seen some players have some up and downs. You right. Well, with LeBron in 2011, Darren Fox had a very similar situation this year. Had. Had. You know, he didn't play his best ball. We know Darren Fox is an all star. He's a phenomenal talent. What was some of the things that you relayed to him that you talked to him about after the series?

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I talked to him a lot. Series over. During the series, you know, after games and things like that. You know, anytime you play a sport, you gotta have short memory. You gotta have short memory. I think people, it's. It's hard to place a one season on a. On. On a. On a. A not so used series. I think we've all seen that from the best of athletes. You know, you just. You don't look like yourself for a series for whatever reason. Shots not falling, don't have your same quickness or your shift or the timing is off or anything like that. And sometimes it just every. You know, you said that black table. Black tape that blackjack table long enough, you don't get a bad shoe. Maybe one or two of them.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

You know, you just got. You gotta weather the storm. You know, New edition made. Made the best song ever. Can you stand the rain? So I think it's. I think during that time we was just having conversations about short memory, keeping the confidence, you know, understanding that social media is. Especially with all the Things that's going on with gambling and things like that. Now, I think the comments and things like that is out of control when it comes to things like that. So you have to block those things out. But, but also do other things. Having, you know, not being on scoring don't mean you can't affect the game in different ways. So. So just trying to keep. Anytime in that situation, you're just trying to keep guys positive. But. But at the same time, there's a balancing act. Like, you can talk about it, but then you can't talk too much about it, right? Because at the end of the day, you don't want to be drowned out. And when I say you, I'm saying the athlete don't want to be drowned out with it. You gotta, you gotta, you gotta.

[Uncle Ocho]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Go by the house, had a conversation, have a little meal. You may have five, six, conversation.

[T-Mobile User 2]

And we.

[Rich Paul]

The conversation within that conversation about it, and then you move on. But, but, but Dear is a professional. I have no doubt that, that he'll. He'll. He'll have a good year this year. We don't make excuses. And so, you know, you got to have accountability in situations like that. And he said it himself, you know, obviously, you know, he's. He needed to. To do a better job, and I think, given the opportunity, the next time, he will. Yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

Appreciate that, man. Hey, Rich, thanks for stopping by.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, no problem. I know I've been trying to get on.

[Uncle Ocho]

Hey, tell Lebron tell. Hey, tell go when you want to have that big reveal nightcap club. Shay, Shay.

[Rich Paul]

You know, y'. All, Y' all get on me, man. I don't listen, I don't know anything. I know just as much as y' all know, you know.

[Joe]

Hey, hey, hey, hey. Typically. Typically, I hit him, Rich. I hit him in the dm, he'll hit me right back. Hell, I hit him. I said, hey, man, I need. I said, I need you to come on night cabin. I still ain't hearing from him. Typically hit me right back.

[Rich Paul]

Didn't he tell you he was gonna do this? He said, I thought y' all was gonna do the show. Well, he gonna do it now, but I, I thought. I don't know.

[Uncle Ocho]

His face card good. Anytime.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, yeah, I know that. Yeah.

[Uncle Ocho]

He got interest. He got interest to the club. He got interested to the club. Anytime.

[Rich Paul]

I watched the show, man. I, I, I just, I enjoy the show. You and, you know y' all my guys, man. So I said, I've been trying to come on, and it's tough so this happened to be the right time. I hit Ash. I said y'. All. I hit you. I said, y' all on? He said, yeah, yeah, I'm on. So I appreciate, appreciate you guys having me on, man. Enjoy the rest of the show. Thank you. Appreciate it.

[Uncle Ocho]

Tell the wife we said I will do when she performing again. Is she touring anytime soon?

[Rich Paul]

Not to my knowledge. Yeah, not to my

[Uncle Ocho]

get off my pod, man.

[Rich Paul]

I got blinders on, man. You know one thing for sure, I'm like this.

[Joe]

Hey, they don't know nothing about that, Rich. They don't know how to horses the Kentucky Derby.

[Rich Paul]

All he see is the finish line, man. I don't know who on the left. I'm just like this.

[Uncle Ocho]

All right, man. We appreciate you, Rich. Have a good one, man. Tell everybody hello. All right, bro. Hey, Rich, Paul Ladies and gentlemen,

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