As NBA free agency cools down, a new wave of speculation has emerged surrounding LeBron James and the Dallas Mavericks. Despite LeBron opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, some league insiders believe one unlikely situation could still pave the way for him to land in Dallas.
Earlier in the offseason, there were whispers of James potentially teaming up with Mavericks star Kyrie Irving. The duo previously played together in Cleveland, where they won an NBA title in 2016.
Irving reportedly tried to recruit LeBron to Dallas last summer, but talks never materialized. With LeBron now locked in for another year in L.A., a trade appears to be the only pathway, at least on paper.
However, that route is complicated. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and other analysts, Dallas has no interest in orchestrating a blockbuster trade for the 40-year-old forward. Such a move would require the Mavericks to gut their roster, including multiple key rotation players, just to match James’ salary.
Considering LeBron’s age and the cost, it’s a non-starter for Dallas.
A buyout is the only realistic path
While a trade remains unrealistic, the possibility of a buyout is the one scenario that keeps the door cracked open. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the only way the Mavericks would “aggressively pursue” LeBron is if he were to reach a buyout agreement with the Lakers and become a free agent.
In that case, he could sign for the veteran minimum, making him financially viable for a contending team like Dallas.
This scenario remains highly speculative. LeBron has not shown any public signs of wanting a buyout, and the Lakers aren’t expected to offer one unless circumstances change drastically. But if James were ever to prioritize chasing one final championship in a tailored situation, perhaps alongside Irving and Luka Doncic, it might become plausible.
It’s also worth noting that Dallas is currently a second-apron team, which places significant restrictions on how they can acquire players. They cannot take on large salaries via trade or use mid-level exceptions. Signing LeBron outright on a minimum deal is essentially their only legal pathway.
Ultimately, while the idea of LeBron joining the Mavericks continues to generate buzz, it’s rooted more in hypotheticals than actionable plans. Unless James initiates a buyout, and agrees to play for a fraction of his current value, Dallas is staying put. For now, the fantasy remains just that.
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