Rich Paul Redefines the Big Three: “Better a GM and Coach Than Two All-Stars”

In today’s NBA landscape, the concept of a “Big Three” appears to have entered a new phase. That’s the take from Rich Paul, one of the league’s most influential agents, best known for representing LeBron James.

During the “Game Over” podcast, hosted alongside Max Kellerman, Paul shared a thought-provoking perspective: in today’s game, the true Big Three is no longer made up of three superstars on the court.

The new Big Three according to Rich Paul

The concept of the Big Three has evolved. It’s no longer about three great players. Today, it’s the president or general manager, the head coach, and the team’s star. When you have those elements, the impact spreads throughout the entire roster

Rich Paul

A vision that shifts the focus entirely from roster construction to the quality of the front office and coaching structure. According to Paul, when these three pillars work in sync, the benefits naturally extend to the entire team.

This isn’t just a hot take – it challenges years of team-building philosophy centered purely on star power.

From the Miami Heat model to a new balance

The classic Big Three model reached its peak in 2010, when LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat.

That trio won two NBA titles, but also sparked debate around competitive balance and team construction. Ironically, LeBron now finds himself in a similar situation with the Los Angeles Lakers, sharing the court with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

The bold claim: GM and coach over a second All-Star?

The strongest part of Paul’s argument concerns roster building:

I’d trade the second-best player for a great president and the third-best for a great head coach

Rich Paul

An extreme stance, but with an important caveat: it depends on the caliber of the player involved.

First, it depends on who the second-best player is. If he can be the best player on a team, like Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, then the answer is no. But if he’s not an All-NBA level player, then the answer is yes

Rich Paul

Controversy and the Reaves situation

This isn’t the first time Paul’s comments have stirred debate. Back in January, he suggested a potential trade involving Austin Reaves to improve the Lakers’ roster.

That stance created some tension, especially given his close ties to LeBron James, who later distanced himself from those remarks.

Interpretation: revolution or provocation?

Paul’s idea isn’t just media provocation – it reflects a real trend. The most successful teams in recent years have built sustainable success through organization, vision, and continuity, not just raw talent.

In the end, the question remains: is it better to stack talent or to build a system that maximizes it?

As is often the case in the NBA, the answer likely lies somewhere in between.