‘Every time LeBron James’ name pops up in trade talk, the NBA world collectively holds its breath. But the latest chatter isn’t just about wild speculation—it’s about Dallas. Yes, the Dallas Mavericks are now being floated as a serious contender if Bron decides to move on from Los Angeles. And that alone is enough to get both insiders and fans buzzing.
When James opted into his $52.6 million player option, most assumed it was business as usual—Year 23 in the purple and gold. But look a little closer, and you’ll see that the foundations for a potential blockbuster move are slowly being set in motion. And as mentioned earlier, several sportsbooks have now placed the Mavericks at the top of the list to land LeBron, should a trade actually happen. That shift didn’t come out of nowhere. A surge of bets followed reports that Kyrie Irving has been working behind the scenes to bring his old Cleveland running mate to Dallas. And unlike some teams, the Mavs are actually in a position to make that kind of move—without tearing apart their main pieces.
It makes a lot more sense when you hear what Lakers insider Jovan Buha recently had to say. “As for where LeBron could go, I think it’s a little bit too early for that, I don’t think we’re at a point of him asking out but if he does I assume there will be a list, but in terms of four teams that make sense I came up with Dallas, Cleveland, New York and Golden State in no particular order. But I will say that there has been some LeBron and Dallas buzz going on for a couple of years.”
And Buha isn’t just jumping on a trend. He pointed out that this idea isn’t brand new—it actually dates back to 2023 when Irving first joined the Mavs. Since then, the whispers have only gotten louder. The combination of Irving, Anthony Davis, and head coach Jason Kidd—who has both played with LeBron and coached him during the Lakers’ 2020 title run—could be just the kind of setup that appeals to a player chasing legacy and titles. Then there’s another layer to all this.
Jovan Buha on LeBron James:
There has been some buzz I will say in the general NBA ether over the last week or two with LeBron and Dallas… If he does ask out… I would say keep an eye on Dallas…
(via @jovanbuha, h/t @KevinGraySports)
pic.twitter.com/SrH00IUfFE
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) June 30, 2025
Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul has openly said LeBron James still wants to win now. And if the Lakers start leaning toward long-term rebuilding, that could clash with James’ timeline. Buha doesn’t see an immediate exit coming—but he also added, “if the disaster scenario for the Lakers plays out…keep an eye on Dallas.” With the Mavericks a year off an NBA Finals run and their rosteran looking sharper than ever, you can’t help but imagine how seismic things could get if LeBron decided to join forces with his old teammate once again.
What could a LeBron James trade to Dallas Mavericks look like?
Imagine LeBron James suiting up alongside Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis in a Mavericks jersey—sounds wild, right? But let’s unpack what such a blockbuster deal might actually look like if it ever came close to reality. The proposed trade could have the Los Angeles Lakers parting ways with LeBron in exchange for Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and a 2029 first-round pick originally belonging to the Lakers themselves, as per Fadeaway World.
It’s a bold move that flips the script on past trades—especially the one that sent Luka Doncic away—and sets the stage for something entirely new in Dallas. In an outlandish trade scenario, which effectively sees the impact of the Luka Doncic trade undone, James would be reunited with Anthony Davis on the Mavericks. That reunion could bring serious change to the floor dynamic. Unlike in LA, where Davis had to play center out of necessity, Dallas can lean on Dereck Lively in that role. Davis, after all, was a beast last season, averaging 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
The Mavs would also gain serious size and versatility. A pairing of James and Cooper Flagg—two forwards with point guard instincts—would create headaches for opposing defenses. Throw in Kyrie Irving’s consistent 24.7 points and 4.7 assists per game, and suddenly Dallas has a formidable core. However, he will most likely remain out of action till January 2026 due to his recovery from injury, as per multiple reports. Irving’s absence will have an impact on the team’s overall output. Still, even with that early setback, just having LeBron James on the roster could give Dallas the kind of edge that shifts them firmly into title contention territory in the West.
The post Mavs Tipped as LeBron James Landing Spot in Lakers Insider’s ‘Disaster Scenario’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.