Following their blockbuster trade midway through last season, it's rather unlikely the Dallas Mavericks make another big splash this summer. However, amid recent developments, a window of opportunity could open for them to acquire one of the league's biggest names.
Since he opted into his player option, there has been endless chatter about the LA Lakers possibly trading LeBron James. Given his ties to various members of the franchise, the Mavericks have been one of the key teams connected to him. That said, reports suggest the franchise would only consider such a move if he were bought out of his contract.
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, NBA insider Shams Charania detailed the latest regarding the Lakers. He cited that LeBron feels the organization is operating more with a long-term focus, which only adds fuel to the fire of the trade chatter.
"He wants to play for a championship next season, he's made that abundantly clear," Charania said of LeBron. "He feels, clearly, that the Lakers are more in a futuristic mindset."
“[LeBron] feels clearly that the Lakers are more in a futuristic mindset”@ShamsCharania details the latest behind LeBron’s thought process and his future in a Lakers uniform.@termineradio | @Jumpshot8 pic.twitter.com/kJcnzQ5EDA
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 11, 2025
It seems unlikely that the Lakers would buy LeBron out knowing that he could still yield a decent return. Though they'd be sacrificing a lot of depth, Dallas could pull off a trade if they were to have a change of heart.
By parting with Luka Doncic, the Mavericks have committed to a short-term window to contend. Seeing that LeBron has won a title with each of their top players, pursuing him would make sense to some degree. If they could get the three aging stars on a similar timeline contract-wise, the Mavs could maximize their current title window. After that, they'd move on and build around their newest cornerstone prospect in Cooper Flagg.
The thought of such a move is tantalizing, but for now, it is more of a pipe dream than reality. At this time, LeBron has expressed no desire to be traded from LA.