For weeks, speculation around LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers has hovered over the NBA like a midsummer storm. But as the trade chatter escalates, one team once considered a frontrunner has made its stance crystal clear: the Dallas Mavericks are not trading for LeBron James.
Despite being named betting favorites to land James should he become available, the Mavericks have no plans to gut their roster to absorb the four-time MVP’s $52.6 million salary, multiple sources told The Athletic. NBA insiders Dan Woike and Joe Vardon reported that a team source “does not have interest in gutting its roster to match James’ salary in a trade.”
That message has been echoed by Mavericks beat reporter Kevin Gray Jr., who tweeted Tuesday night that “The Mavericks are not pursuing a trade for LeBron James,” adding that “the source was adamant that there are no trade discussions between the teams despite persistent speculation to the contrary.”
No Smoke, No Fire
The latest push of rumors began after James opted into the final year of his contract with the Lakers but didn’t sign an extension—leaving him on an expiring deal heading into his age-40 season. Dallas quickly shot up the odds board, with Bovada listing them as +125 favorites to acquire the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. But the noise didn’t match reality.
According to The Athletic, neither James nor his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, has had any discussions with the Lakers about a trade or buyout. In fact, “league sources told The Athletic” that both James and the Lakers expect him to be at training camp this fall for his eighth season in Los Angeles—already the longest tenure with any team in his career.
“In the sections filled with employees from other teams,” Woike and Vardon wrote, “scouts and executives around the NBA buzzed with speculation about where else James might play… scenarios that, league and team sources told The Athletic, have never been discussed between James and the Lakers.”
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reinforced that report, stating James has “not asked for a trade,” and that he and Paul “haven’t even discussed the possibility of wanting a trade in the future.”
Why the Mavs Were Linked
The theoretical case for a LeBron-to-Dallas blockbuster was obvious on paper. The Mavericks feature familiar faces like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, who maintain strong ties with Klutch Sports. Texas also offers the financial advantage of no state income tax.
In addition, Dallas is coming off an impressive offseason after a disappointing follow-up to their 2024 Finals run. The Mavericks won the draft lottery and selected Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, giving them a core of Flagg, Davis, Irving (recovering from a torn ACL), Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford.
From a basketball standpoint, plugging LeBron into that mix might’ve pushed Dallas over the top. But the cost of acquisition was never going to be light.
The Price of Fantasy
With James earning over $52 million next season, any team looking to trade for him would need to match salaries—something easier said than done for a contender. In Dallas’ case, a realistic trade would mean sending out at least two of Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and P.J. Washington, each of whom is set to earn between $14 million and $20 million.
Additional pieces would be needed to satisfy salary cap requirements, which could gut the roster depth the Mavericks hope will carry them through a long postseason run. For a player who turns 41 in December, such a gamble becomes hard to justify.
As NBA insider Marc Stein put it via Full Court Pass, “a trade is realistic and a buyout makes no sense for the Lakers,” underscoring that even if Dallas were willing to make a big offer, Los Angeles still holds control over James’ future.
Still a Laker—for Now
James’ agent Rich Paul had earlier stated that LeBron “knows the Lakers are building for the future” and “values a realistic chance of winning it all.” That statement—paired with the franchise’s February blockbuster to acquire Luka Dončić from Dallas in exchange for Davis and Max Christie—fueled speculation that James could look for one last ride elsewhere.
But the Lakers are planning to win now—and they’re doing it with James. The franchise added center Deandre Ayton this offseason and is set to enter the 2025 season with one of the West’s most potent starting lineups.
For the Lakers, the message has been consistent: no trade talks, no buyout talks, no panic. And for the Mavericks, the response is just as clear: not at that price.