Former NBA general manager Bobby Marks, who now works at ESPN, doesn’t believe LeBron James will be on the Dallas Mavericks next season.
During a radio appearance on G-Bag Nation on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM], Marks was honest about why he believes James will not be headed to the Mavericks to play with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
“I just thought it’s basically going fishing and some people bit on it,” Marks said. “That’s my belief here and I get it. Hey Kyrie, all power to him as far as trying to get LeBron if he was a free agent. I would say, ‘This is a story here.’ Like how much is Kyrie willing to get back? And would LeBron come on the vet minimum? And all these different scenarios. I just think where he’s under contract, there is a comfort level with him being in Los Angeles.
“We will see. The likelihood is that he’s still going to play. If this is next offseason and he declined his option, I think it’s a story. I don’t think it’s a story right now. I just don’t believe that.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Kyrie Irving & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Multiple reports have stated that Irving is recruiting James to the Mavericks. LeBron signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers last offseason. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP has a player option for the 2024-25 season.
According to Bill Reiter of CBS Sports, James will not leave the Lakers this offseason and join the Mavericks despite Irving recruiting The King to Dallas.
“LeBron’s not going to Dallas,” one source told Reiter. “That doesn’t even make sense. This is about Kyrie telling (Lakers general manager) Rob (Pelinka) that he’s not taking a discount. And about LeBron trying to create some leverage.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Kyrie Irving & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Irving is expected to re-sign with the Mavericks this offseason, while James will be back with the Lakers next season if he doesn’t retire from the NBA.
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