Mavericks could pursue LeBron James in 2026 free agency

LeBron James will be entering his final season under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025-26. At 40 years old, there's no certainty that the four-time NBA MVP will continue to play for years to come.

However, his production hasn't slowed down. He's still helping lead the Los Angeles Lakers to playoff berths and is still putting up impressive stats at his age.

James agreed to his player option for the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, but after this upcoming season, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

Speculation continues to build around one of basketball's all-time greats, as several teams have emerged as potential suitors for James. One of those teams happening to be the Dallas Mavericks.

An NBA executive expects the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors to pursue Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason," Ashish Mathur of DallasHoopsJournal.com wrote.

A return to his hometown team in the Cleveland Cavaliers would make for James' third stint with the team that drafted him, and the Golden State Warriors would have him paired up with a close friend in Stephen Curry, but the Dallas Mavericks would be a great fit for James. 

Two of James' teammates that he's won rings with are already on the Mavericks: Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. 

The NBA's all-time leading scorer will have a decision to make next offseason. It remains to be seen whether James would leave behind new teammate Luka Doncic – and his son, Bronny James – in Los Angeles to join a new team.