The Los Angeles Lakers are actively exploring ways to reshape their roster around stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic. However, a potential seismic shift looms over the franchise—centered on the possibility of LeBron James departing the team. James already has one destination in mind if he chooses to move on.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Dallas Mavericks are a team to watch closely should LeBron James request a trade. Dallas has shown interest in James before—particularly during the trade window that brought Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks. At that time, speculation around a possible LeBron-Irving reunion circulated widely, though the move never materialized.
Now, the scenario may be more realistic. Irving remains with the Mavericks, as does head coach Jason Kidd—both of whom share history with James from their time with Team USA. In addition, James’ close friend and former Lakers teammate Anthony Davis is also rumored to be involved in discussions. A move to Dallas would be nothing short of historic and could reshape the Western Conference landscape.
The Lakers are entering what could be one of their most unpredictable offseasons in recent memory. Free agency officially opens at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, and LeBron James remains one of the biggest storylines to monitor. The 40-year-old opted into his $52.6 million player option on Sunday, signaling a short-term commitment—but also a desire to see what the Lakers do next.
James‘ longtime agent, Rich Paul, recently addressed the uncertainty surrounding his client’s future. In a public statement, Paul emphasized that James remains focused on winning and is carefully evaluating his long-term options.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future,” Paul said. “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive, and want what’s best for him.”
Despite being in the twilight of his career, James continues to perform at an elite level. During the 2024–25 NBA season, he appeared in 70 games and averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. He also shot an impressive 51.3 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Whether he stays in Los Angeles or seeks a new challenge in Dallas or elsewhere, LeBron James is once again poised to be the most influential figure of the NBA offseason.