Last November, Adam Silver had lunch with Maverick Carter but was approached at one point by Rich Paul, who also happened to be at the restaurant seated at a nearby table.
Paul complained to Silver about Luke Walton, believing he wasn't the right coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Silver shrugged off the comment and asked Paul who he thought would be the right coach. Paul suggested Tyronn Lue.
Paul also reportedly let it be known through conversations with reporters and others that he wasn't supportive of Walton.
Members of the Lakers' coaching staff became aware of those conversations and wondered whether Magic Johnson's heated meeting with Walton was influenced by Paul.
"Coaches know Rich is trying to get them fired, and players know Rich is trying to get them traded," said one agent with ties to the Lakers.