NBA agent Rich Paul says LeBron James would 'just be Karl Malone' without elite athleticism

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No supreme athleticism, no problem – at least in super agent Rich Paul's opinion.

Paul believes that four-time NBA Champion LeBron James would still end up being one of the greatest players in basketball history – even if he was not gifted with elite athletic abilities.

Earlier this year, James wrapped up his 20th season in the NBA. The now 38-year-old James has been a model of consistency throughout his storied career, and during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Paul shared his thoughts on James' longevity.

"He's one guy that I'm not going to say no about," Paul said when asked if James could play into his mid-40s. "I think it's important to understand what really motivates him.... As long as his mind is there, as long as he's still excited about playing the game – in addition to the health – absolutely."

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Rich Paul and LeBron James of the Lakers talk during halftime of the Denver Nuggets game at Staples Center on Dec. 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

Paul then suggested that James' athleticism was a bonus, and that he would still be considered a great player without it.

"I always tease him, I say, 'If you're athleticism went away, you'd just be Karl Malone. It's fine.' You could pick and pop, shoot the jumper, make the right reads. He can literally play for as long as he wants. And at this point obviously he's not playing for finances, he's playing because he loves the game."

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Malone, a basketball Hall of Famer, is currently in third place on the NBA's all-time