The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers completed a blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the 17-time NBA champions. Anthony Davis was also part of the deal, but his departure left a glaring hole on the Lakers’ roster.
Even after adding Deandre Ayton to the roster, the Lakers still do not look like a true contender for the 2025-26 season. They’re still hunting for an All-Star-level player who can anchor the defense against the explosive offensive attacks dominating today’s league.
LeBron James Trade Rumors Continue to Swirl Around Lakers Future
The Lakers find themselves at the center of another viral trade rumor saga. LeBron James has been linked with an exit from L.A., as reports indicate that the four-time NBA champion’s priority is winning his fifth championship before retirement.
The NBA legend has also been connected to a potential return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he started his illustrious career 22 years ago. These rumors gained momentum when James was spotted training at the Cavs’ facility. He then cleared the reports, claiming to practice there every year.
James isn’t just being linked to Cleveland. He’s also been predicted to move to Dallas for a sensational reunion with championship-winning teammate Kyrie Irving. The prospect of pairing the 40-year-old superstar with the Mavericks’ young core has analysts buzzing about potential trade scenarios.
How the Mavericks Could Pull Off a LeBron James Trade
The Athletic’s Fred Katz has projected the Mavericks to land James in a trade that could include several key players from their current roster.
“Future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson along with versatile contributors Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington would get the deal done financially. Dallas could trade a future first-round pick, as well, though draft picks would become complicated in a trade for James,” Katz wrote.
Thompson, a four-time champion, would certainly be a player that the Lakers might covet. The sharpshooter would reunite with Dončić in L.A. as the duo could continue where they left off in Texas. The Lakers could use his defensive prowess, and his perimeter shooting could take pressure off the Slovenian star.
Gafford and Washington could serve as valuable role players, considering how the Lakers have struggled with roster depth in recent years. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka could choose to keep them on the team or flip them as trade assets down the road. Both players bring energy and versatility that could complement the Lakers’ current core.
However, Katz also noted the obvious concerns about acquiring an aging superstar. “Teams wouldn’t be excited about giving up chunks of their future to acquire a 40-year-old, even if there has never before been a 40-year-old as good at basketball as James is now.”
The Reality Check Behind Trading for an Aging LeBron
The James we see today isn’t the same player who dominated the league for over a decade. Although he still puts up impressive numbers, it’s no secret that he has slowed down. The days of him taking over a game single-handedly without any help may be behind him.
It would be risky for the Mavericks to gamble their future for a player expected to retire within a couple of years. But if they make that shocking move, it would signal that Nico Harrison and company are in full win-now mode, trying to maximize whatever James has left in the tank.
The trade becomes even more complicated when considering the Lakers’ long-term strategy. Katz mentions that the Lakers’ priority of preserving cap space might pose an issue if they were to agree to this deal. Reports indicate they didn’t want to match Dorian Finney-Smith’s contract demands, which caused him to opt out.
Pelinka has revealed that the Lakers’ objective is to preserve and expand cap space for 2027. This approach seems puzzling considering they don’t have much time left with the 21-time All-Star. The front office appears torn between competing now and building for the future.
The financial implications extend beyond just matching salaries. Trading for James would likely hard-cap the Mavericks and limit their flexibility for the remainder of his contract. Dallas would essentially be betting their championship window on James maintaining his current level of play into his 40s.
If both franchises agree to such a blockbuster move, it would reshape the Western Conference landscape. There’s also a strong possibility that James ends up staying with the Lakers, especially if they can add another star player through other means.
Only time will tell how the final chapter of his legendary career unfolds, but the speculation alone shows how much impact he still carries across the league.
Why would the Mavs do that if, all healthy they’re already a contender? Why would they trade their starting SG, back up SF, and back up C ? If kyrie wants to be his teammate he wouldn’t have left the Cavs lol he’ll just mess up with his PG position and take Flagg’s playing time.