A general manager in the Western Conference described LeBron James and Rich Paul as "mafioso mob bosses" in comments to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

James spoke publicly about the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Anthony Davis, which some see as less of an issue as Davis being represented by Paul.

"I'm not worried about James tampering to the media about AD. It's that James and Paul are mafioso mob bosses of the NBA that's the problem," a Western Conference general manager said.

A number of executives believe Davis will end up traded to the Lakers or Boston Celtics during the 2019 offseason.