NBA writer advises Mavericks to pass on trade for Lakers' LeBron James

The Dallas Mavericks have been linked to another blockbuster trade this summer after sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last season. Still, fans may need to pump the brakes. 

Trade speculation has involved LeBron James this offseason. However, it appears unlikely the Mavericks will reunite Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving with James in his record-setting 23rd NBA season. 

James will certainly want to play for a title contender in what could be his final season and might waive his no-trade clause for certain teams or explore a buyout with the Lakers. 

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However, Austin Veazy of SI.com believes the 40-year-old will stay put, and even if James becomes available via trade, the Mavericks should stand pat. 

"This also wouldn’t solve the biggest issue with this iteration of the Mavericks: the backcourt," Veazy wrote. "It’d be taking away the team’s starting shooting guard [Klay Thompson] for yet another player who is best suited as a power forward in LeBron. Even if they play Cooper Flagg out of position even more as a shooting guard, the team would become arguably too big." 

The Mavericks would have to give up a significant haul to match James’ $52.6 million salary, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him retire after this season. Sacrificing long-term assets for James would be too much to ask, despite the idea of James, Davis, Irving and Flagg being extremely intriguing. 

While unlikely, there remains a very slim chance James will be bought out. The Mavericks could explore signing him if he takes a discount, but for now, he’s expected to finish the 2025-26 campaign as a Laker.

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