The Dallas Mavericks are a team that would intrigue LeBron James as a potential landing spot if the four-time MVP decided to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Kyrie Irving is recruiting James to come to Dallas to play with him and Luka Doncic.
“What can be bankably confirmed about any LeBron connection to the Mavericks: Dallas is certainly a team, league sources say, that would intrigue the 38-year-old as a potential landing spot if James ever reached the point of searching for a new place to play,” Stein wrote. “Sources say that the Mavericks, however, have long understood that any chance of actually pursuing a Doncic-and-James pairing would likely require James to take the lead in actively forcing his way to Dallas. The concept predates Dallas’ acquisition of Irving from Brooklyn, going back to when the Lakers were struggling and it appeared James might be getting restless.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
James would likely have to get a buyout from the Lakers and sign a cheap deal with the Mavericks to play with Irving and Doncic. Dallas can’t afford to pay Irving, James and Doncic max money. James and Doncic are making max money right now and Irving will likely get a max salary this summer in unrestricted free agency.
The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games. James, who signed a two-year extension with Los Angeles last summer, has given no indication that he wants to leave the purple and gold, per Stein. We still don’t even know if LeBron will play next season, as he might retire this summer.
“We’ll see what happens going forward,” James said after the Lakers got eliminated by the Nuggets. “I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
James has a torn tendon in his right foot and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer may need surgery this summer, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. If LeBron has surgery, he could be sidelined for two months.
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