“Gotta go through barbershop talk,” LeBron James’ manager Rich Paul denies ‘preferential treatment’ to Bronny James

Rich Paul kept it 'Real" regarding Bronny James' basketball career on the Gil's Arena Podcast.

LeBron James, Rich Paul and Bronny James

LeBron James‘ son Bronny James seems to be making the headlines lately as the NBA 2024 Draft is on the horizon. Many fans and experts have been wondering which team in the NBA will sign James Jr. Notably, James’ agent Rich Paul discussed the criticism that Bronny James has received and how he has been preparing for the draft on the Gil’s Arena podcast.

Paul claimed on the podcast that James Jr ‘shouldn’t get any preferential treatment’ and should be treated the same way as other athletes have been treated in their journey to the NBA. Not only that, Paul also claimed that being LeBron James’ son, Bronny James will have to go through a lot of criticism in his NBA career on and off the court.

Bronny shouldn't get any preferential treatment. He's gotta go through the journey. He's gotta go through the barber shop talk. Because this is the life he chose, he chose to aspire to be a professional athlete.

On the Gil’s Arena Podcast, Rich Paul said

In addition, Paul’s words make the most sense as no player in their careers has had it easy, and Paul wants Bronny James’ career to be the same.

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"Bronny shouldn't get any preferential treatment. He's gotta go through the journey. He's gotta go through the barber shop talk. Because this is the life he chose, he chose to aspire to be a professional athlete."

Rich Paul on the challenges aspiring athletes face. pic.twitter.com/dEblF78tIo
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) June 24, 2024

Bronny James will always be in the limelight around the NBA community, especially because of the weightage of his last name. However, now it remains to be seen which team will snatch up James Jr in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft.

Rich Paul shares important verdict on Bronny James and LeBron James

With the 2024 NBA Draft looming large, a lot of questions will be surrounding the future of the father-son duo LeBron James and Bronny James, with some claiming them to be a package deal. However, the players’ agent Rich Paul made himself clear regarding the two players and shared an important verdict via Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.

The Lakers can draft Bronny, and LeBron doesn't re-sign. LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can squash that now.

Rich Paul told Givony via Draft Express

This was Paul’s way of asserting to everyone that the two players aren’t a “package deal.”

Rich Paul also says that there is no package deal option for LeBron and Bronny with the Suns or Lakers:

"The Lakers can draft Bronny, and LeBron doesn't re-sign. LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can squash that now." https://t.co/uQIOHV5Qev
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 19, 2024

Paul brought up the Lakers and Suns, claiming that Bronny has only worked out for those two teams. In the first round, the Suns are slated to pick at number 22. There is no second-round selection process. The Lakers choose overall 17th and 55th.