The Dallas Mavericks could show interest in acquiring LeBron James if the Los Angeles Lakers decide to buy out his contract, but not through a trade. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin shared on ESPN Radio 710 that the Mavs would only entertain signing James as a free agent.
James’ position with the Lakers remains a topic of intense speculation within the NBA. Although he recently opted into a hefty $52.6 million salary for the upcoming season, his agent, Rich Paul, communicated to ESPN’s Shams Charania that James would be evaluating his future options.
Sam Amick from The Athletic pointed out that league executives are pondering whether James’ decision to opt into his deal for the 2025-26 season might signal an impending trade request. However, there is currently no indication that such a request has been made. It’s important to note that James holds a full no-trade clause, giving him substantial control over any potential move.
Should he decide to leave the Lakers, the Mavericks emerge as a logical destination given James’ connections with current players, notably Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, both of whom have years of experience alongside him.
Trading for James might require the Mavericks to sacrifice significant depth, potentially creating a package that includes Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford. However, integrating James into the Mavericks’ setup could also hinder the development of Cooper Flagg, the franchise’s No. 1 overall pick. With James, Davis, and returning player Irving expected to command the ball, Flagg’s opportunities might diminish.
The priority for the Mavericks in the 2025-26 season is Flagg’s development, as he represents the future of the franchise. Paul’s remarks about the Lakers’ long-term strategy raise questions about the Mavericks’ trajectory in comparison. James might argue that a core comprising himself, Irving, Davis, and Flagg would be more promising than the Lakers’ lineup featuring himself, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton.
In any scenario, the likelihood of the Lakers opting to buy out James and letting him play for another team without compensation seems exceedingly low.
