One Los Angeles Lakers source told NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic that the possibility of superstar small forward LeBron James landing with the Dallas Mavericks is “unrealistic.”
James would have to request a trade from the Lakers, and even if he does, Los Angeles isn’t interested in what Dallas could offer for the four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP.
“As for the possibility of James landing in Dallas for next season, one Lakers source characterized it as ‘unrealistic.’ It’s logistically improbable, though technically possible,” Buha wrote. “Assuming James plays next season, which The Athletic reported remains the team’s stance, the easiest way to get James to Dallas — at least for James, Irving and the Mavericks — would be by trade. But a glance at the Mavericks’ roster and draft picks shows limited assets that wouldn’t appeal to the Lakers in a potential rebuild.
“If James were to demand a trade, and the Lakers were to entertain offers, it would take more than a package of, say, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dāvis Bertāns, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 draft and another future first to get a deal done. The Lakers simply aren’t interested in what Dallas could offer in a trade, according to multiple team sources.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers in 2022 that will not kick in until this summer. The King, who is 38 years old, has a player option for the 2024-25 season.
All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving wants to play with James on the Mavericks and form a Big 3 with All-NBA forward Luka Doncic. However, it doesn’t appear that will happen.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Irving, who becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, could sign with the Lakers and form a Big 3 with LeBron and big man Anthony Davis, but Los Angeles can’t offer Kyrie max money unless a sign-and-trade involving point guard D’Angelo Russell happens, and the Mavericks aren’t interested in doing that.
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