LeBron James Only Interests Mavericks If Contract Bought Out

The Dallas Mavericks reportedly would only be interested in adding LeBron James if the future Hall of Famer was able to convince the Los Angeles Lakers to buy him out.

Mavericks Only Want LeBron James If He Becomes Free Agent

Appearing on ESPN Radio 710 in Los Angeles, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said the Mavs would only want James if he were to become a free agent, not via trade.

Although James exercised his $52.6 million player option for next season, the decision came with a statement from his agent, Rich Paul, to ESPN’s Shams Charania about deciding what’s best for the 21-time All-Star.

Charania reported Sunday that James and Paul “will be closely monitoring the Lakers’ moves and whether the team is positioning itself this offseason to field a title-contending roster.”

The Athletic’s Sam Amick noted after James opted into his contract for the 2025-26 season that executives across the league were “wondering if this was a precursor to a trade request.”

James Has Full Control Because Of No-Trade Clause

In February, Los Angeles pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade to acquire superstar Luka Doncic from Dallas. Lakers insider Jovan Buha reported that same month that some “lower-lever staffers” with the team were initially concerned with how James would respond to being blindsided by the trade.

An in-season trade is very unlikely, and such a move would be uncharacteristic of James. He could, however, ask the Lakers to buy out his contract later this summer if he’s not impressed with the team’s offseason moves.

Amick also added that if James were to ask for a trade, the four-time MVP would have full control over where he goes if a deal materialized because he has a no-trade clause in his contract.

Dallas would be a potential landing spot for James based on his history with former teammates Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, both of whom are the only Mavs players making more than $20 million next season, per Spotrac.

However, the Mavs would have to trade several players to accommodate a superstar like James. Such a deal could work if Dallas built a package around Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington.

It should be noted that even if James doesn’t retire next summer, this could be his last season in a Lakers uniform.

Lakers’ Future Hinges On Luka Doncic Contract Decision

The Lakers are preparing for their future with Doncic, not James.

Doncic is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $229 million extension on Aug. 2. In the unlikely scenario a contract is not reached, Doncic will become a free agent in the 2026 offseason.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, a four-year, $229 million max would feature a $51 million first-year salary for 2026-27, which would replace the player option for that season.

Another possibility is Doncic signing a three-year, $165 million extension that carries a player option in the third year. That deal would allow Doncic to reenter free agency sooner and potentially recoup the $345 million he lost when he was traded from the Mavs.