LeBron James
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NBA rumors are swirling about LeBron James' future with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Dallas Mavericks were among the four teams that contacted Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James, about potentially trading for the Lakers star, according to NBA insider “Scoop B” Robinson.
In light of the reports, Robinson floated a Lakers trade pitch that would see James being sent to Dallas in exchange for a sizeable haul of players. The hypothetical trade would also involve Bronny James, LeBron’s son, being shipped to the Mavericks, and Max Christie, drafted by the Lakers in 2022, returning to his former team.
Mavericks would receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
Lakers would receive: Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Max Christie
Robinson explained why the hypothetical trade works perfectly for both teams. While the Mavericks would get to form a new Big 3 of James, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, the Lakers would get considerable roster depth and youth to build around Luka Doncic.
LeBron to Dallas Buzz Is ‘Real’
“The Lakers get younger, add depth, and could still remain competitive with Thompson’s shooting, Gafford’s energy, and Washington’s versatility,” Robinson said of his proposed Lakers trade pitch.
“Meanwhile, Dallas lands the biggest name in basketball history and reunites the duo that once conquered the 2016 Finals.”
Robinson noted that chatter of James heading to the Mavericks is “getting louder again” after the rumors initially surfaced in 2023. The insider cited a past conversation between Irving and James in 2023 when both had the option to become free agents.
“If ever there was a time for LeBron James to give Dallas serious thought, it’s now,” he wrote. “That doesn’t mean a deal is imminent. But the whispers are real. And in today’s NBA, whispers often lead to fireworks.
“Whether the Lakers can still provide LeBron the clearest path to Banner No. 5 is a question being asked both inside and outside of L.A. And if the answer ever becomes no… The phone lines in Dallas are open.”
Lakers Ready to Move On From James?
In the aftermath of James picking up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, Rich Paul sent shockwaves through the NBA world with a statement that hinted at his client’s potential departure from Los Angeles. Thereafter, multiple insiders and Lakers beat writers detailed the strained relationship between James and Lakers, which reportedly worsened after the team acquired Doncic at the 2025 trade deadline.
On July 15, ESPN’s Tim McMahon provided additional details on the worsening relationship between the Lakers and James.
“LeBron, throughout the course of his career, has always been able to apply pressure on the franchises that he played for because he always had the threat of his departure,” McMahon said on “The Hoop Collective” podcast.
“LeBron has always had the ultimate power. He has always had all the leverage. And now, LeBron doesn’t have the power and the leverage because the threat of his departure next summer is not really a threat to the Lakers. It certainly appears that [his exit is] part of the plan.”
For what it’s worth, the Mavericks are the new betting favorites to pull off a trade for James, surpassing the Heat, Cavaliers, Warriors and Knicks as the leading suitor.