LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, showed interest in joining the Dallas Mavericks before ultimately deciding to exercise his player option for the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, a contract worth $52.6 million, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. James’s decision was influenced by his unwillingness to forfeit such a substantial salary in favor of a smaller contract, like the non-taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE), potentially offered by the Mavericks or any other team.
Trade Prospects Complicated by Contractual and Financial Restrictions
Despite speculation, James is not seen as an immediate trade candidate after choosing to stay with the Lakers. John Hollinger noted that the move to re-sign with Los Angeles may not have been James’s preferred option, with interest in Dallas gaining attention due to possible reunions with former teammates. The Mavericks roster includes stars like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, as well as promising young player Cooper Flagg, making it an appealing destination.
While he opted in to the final year of his contract and does not appear to be an imminent trade candidate, as our Joe Vardon and Dan Woike reported here, that doesn’t necessarily mean returning to the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year deal was at the top of his wish list,
Hollinger wrote.
James holds a no-trade clause that allows him to request a trade and specify preferred destinations. However, the structure of his contract and the financial tax penalties for both teams involved create challenges for any potential in-season trade involving high-profile contender squads.
Obviously, LeBron James wasn’t willing to leave $52 million on the table to take a nontaxpayer MLE or something similar from the Mavericks or another team. A buyout seems similarly unlikely. Additionally, the tax aprons on both sides will make any in-season transaction with a contender-class team challenging.
Connections Between James and Mavericks Personnel Add to Trade Rumors
James’s link to the Mavericks is reinforced by personal connections within the organization. With Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, former Lakers coach Jason Kidd, assistant coach Phil Handy, and executive Nico Harrison all involved in Dallas, there are strong ties to James from his past championship runs and professional relationships.
James, Irving, and Handy were part of the Cleveland Cavaliers team that won the 2016 NBA title, while James, Davis, Kidd, and Handy shared the 2020 Lakers championship. Additionally, Harrison’s previous role as a Nike executive connected him personally with James, an Akron native.
Future with Lakers and Legacy Considerations
While the Mavericks remain a potential landing spot under certain scenarios, most indicators suggest LeBron James will start the 2025-26 season with the Lakers, likely concluding his NBA career with the franchise. The Lakers appear set to be the stage for his farewell season, which aligns with the legend’s longstanding relationship with the team.
The evolving dynamics of the league, highlighted by recent trades such as Nico Harrison’s move of Luka Doncic to the Lakers, show anything is possible. Still, all signs point toward James completing his tenure in purple and gold, bidding farewell to his career where much of his legacy was cemented.