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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 31: Los Angeles Lakers Forward LeBron James (23) talks with agent Rich Paul at halftime of a NBA Basketball Herren USA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire) NBA: JAN 31 Lakers at Clippers PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon190131041
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 31: Los Angeles Lakers Forward LeBron James (23) talks with agent Rich Paul at halftime of a NBA Basketball Herren USA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire) NBA: JAN 31 Lakers at Clippers PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon190131041
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James has amassed a lot of wealth playing the sport he has excelled in since he was a teenager, basketball. However, he couldn’t have done it alone. Millionaire super agent, Rich Paul, has been the man behind James’ massive success financially. Moreover, James isn’t his only client. Paul has a huge number of superstar clients in the league.
The agent came from humble beginnings, and like any other person, he struggled in the beginning. During a recent episode on CBS Sports, Rich Paul revealed an interesting story from the early days of his career that could have potentially ended it.
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LeBron James’ close aide once helped an NBA star earn millions
The CEO of KlutchSports, Rich Paul, has quickly risen the ranks to become one of the biggest agents in the NBA and quite possibly in all the sports. The one thing that sets Paul apart from all the other agents is his willingness to take risks. During the CBS interview, Paul revealed some details about former Phoenix Suns player Eric Bledsoe, who was offered a $28,000,000 contract in 2014.
Interestingly, Paul rejected that offer and also rejected a huge $48,000,000 contract offer. Thanks to his brilliant negotiation skills and perseverance, Bledsoe finally agreed to a $70,000,000 deal.
When the host asked what this move meant to him, “My career“, said Paul. He further added, “Everyone was calling and saying, he’s crazy, he doesn’t know what he is doing, he’s inexperienced”. Bledsoe spent three seasons with the Suns and left the organization to join the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017.
Paul also influenced a major NBA event
Rich Paul has been James’ agent since 2003. Both of them started out together and are now two of the most well-known names in the sporting industry.
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NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers Feb 7, 2023 Los Angeles, California, USA Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James 6 hugs agent Rich Paul after breaking the all-time scoring record in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles Crypto.com Arena California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20230207_lbm_sv5_055
In 2010, James made one of the most controversial decisions ever. He left a struggling Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that drafted him in 2003 and joined the Miami Heat. Although he took a pay cut to join the Heat in 2010, his salary increased exponentially over the next seasons. Not to mention, James also won two of his four NBA titles with the Heat.
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What is your favorite memory of LeBron James and Rich Paul? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by
Edited by
Saumya Khanduja