Why Dallas Mavericks' Path to Add LeBron James This Summer Has Been Crushed

Why Dallas Mavericks' Path to Add LeBron James This Summer Has Been Crushed originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Ever since LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were unable to agree on a contract extension, it seems like The King's days in Hollywood are numbered.

If he demands a trade or agrees to a buyout, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks seem to be the two most realistic landing spots.

Of course, the Cavs are where it all started, and James grew up in nearby Akron, so it would be a homecoming by every definition.

The Mavericks, however, boast Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, two of James' best ever teammates and certainly the best two still playing.

However, the odds of James being traded to Dallas before the February 2026 deadline seem to be lower than initially thought.

"Sources said the Lakers have received no indication from James or his representatives that he would request a trade or ask to be bought out of the final year of his contract," wrote The Athletic'sDan Woike and Joe Vardon.

If James is hunting a title, playing alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and his son, Bronny, in Los Angeles seems to be the best way for him to go about winning his fifth ring.

The Mavericks would have to cut significant depth to trade for James, and doing so could slash their own title odds.

"Team and league sources said no discussions about a buyout have occurred between the Lakers and James, the option merely being a pathway discussed by rival teams as they survey the situation," they continued. "The Lakers would also have no real reason to buy James out of his contract, as the team is still aiming to contend while formulating the best long-term roster around Dončić. They could trade James, but that would potentially put them in danger of fouling up one of their other chief goals — creating salary flexibility for next summer."

If James decides not to retire this season and play past his 42nd birthday, Dallas might offer him a cheap contract next summer, although by then Cooper Flagg will have cemented himself as the face of the franchise.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.

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