NBA Fans were left debating after a clip of one of Rich Paul’s podcast episodes last year went viral on Wednesday. In that clip, Fans noticed how Paul revealed that Darius Garland will be shipped out of the Cleveland Cavaliers sometime this season.
And immediately, NBA Fans couldn’t help but be taken aback by Paul’s statement, which did happen. Just yesterday, the Cavaliers traded Garland to the LA Clippers in exchange for veteran James Harden and a future draft pick.
Paul’s statement deeply shocked tons of NBA Fans, who couldn’t help but speculate on just how wide Paul’s influence is in the league. User @hoodigainer felt really unsettled, writing, “It makes me sick that he has so much control over the league.”
It makes me sick that he has so much control over the league
— Gainer (@hoodigainer) February 4, 2026
On the other hand, user @w1LLiamRTG claimed that Paul was just relaying the news, commenting, “He just doing his f*ck*** job by keeping it real.” Either way, NBA Fans threw criticism at Paul, calling out his influence on what Fans see as a narrative going on in the league.
“This is why Rich Paul is bad for the NBA,” one user wrote.
“This ain’t crazy???? Seem like he had an agenda for Darius,” one user commented.
“Hopefully when LeBron is gone, Rich Paul goes with him,” one user remarked, referring to LBJ, at the verge of retiring, as Paul’s client too.
“The Rich Paul Effect Is Ruining Competitive Balance,” one user wrote.
NBA Fans continue to throw shade at Paul on just how he influences the league, spanning through superstars like LeBron James and into youngins like Garland. And while Fans knew that Paul’s statement before the season was just an insight on how Cleveland will deal with his client, they continue to be convinced that Paul could’ve dictated the scenes the moment he made those claims.
NBA Fans defend Rich Paul’s foreshadowed claim on Garland
On the other hand, some NBA Fans refused to join the hate around Paul and instead defend him from his bold claims about Garland last year. Fans argue that Paul was just doing his job: making sure Fans are prepared for the shocking trades sometime soon
User @Kwintarget is one of these NBA Fans, writing, “It’s not control, just more like knowledge,” believing Paul had known of the Cavaliers’ moves last year.
Meanwhile, user @Elhebreo5 claims how Paul “understands the nature of NBA business and he places his clients in positions to succeed.”
Whether it’s control or just knowing the narrative, NBA Fans remain divided on Paul’s true intentions on the Garland trade, something Fans would find hard to know for quite some time.
