NBA Trade Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Weigh Risky but Ambitious Move for $52.6 Million Los Angeles Lakers Legend to form Big 3 with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks have emerged as a dark horse in the LeBron James sweepstakes, with new reports suggesting that the team is seriously evaluating the possibility of acquiring the four-time NBA champion.

Though LeBron has opted into the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, The Athletic’s John Hollinger revealed that James showed serious interest in joining Dallas before making that decision.According to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, “Are we just supposed to believe he’s no longer intrigued by the prospect of reuniting with both Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving?”—a question that points to the ongoing intrigue surrounding the potential formation of a new super team in Texas.

Why LeBron James and the Dallas Mavericks Makes Sense

The idea of LeBron James playing alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving is more than just fantasy. It’s grounded in both basketball chemistry and off-court relationships. James has previously expressed admiration for both stars, and his history with Irving is well documented—from their championship run in Cleveland to an up-and-down but ultimately successful on-court partnership.For Dallas, the potential acquisition of LeBron would be less about age and more about capitalizing on a small window.

Even at 40, James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds in the 2023-24 season. His impact goes beyond numbers—his leadership, playoff experience, and basketball IQ are unmatched.

Why the Trade Road Isn’t Smooth

Despite the appeal, Dallas faces serious logistical challenges. LeBron’s $52.7 million salary for the 2024-25 season is the first hurdle. While offseason rules allow teams to exceed the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to acquire buyout players, that doesn’t apply in this case since James is under contract.To make a deal work, the Dallas Mavericks would need to offload a significant portion of their roster. That could mean surrendering four to five players, as well as including draft capital.

Potential Trade Structure (Hypothetical)

And even this framework may not be enough unless a third or fourth team is looped in to absorb salary or provide additional assets. The Lakers, meanwhile, are unlikely to take back long-term salary, as they are believed to be pursuing future cap space aggressively.

Dallas Mavericks’ Motivation: Now or Never?

What makes this pursuit different is Dallas’ sense of urgency. Coming off a Finals loss and looking to maximize Anthony Davis’ remaining years, the Mavericks are clearly open to high-stakes, high-reward moves. Pairing Anthony with LeBron and Kyrie could create one of the most formidable offensive trios in NBA history, if not the most experienced.Still, LeBron entering his age-41 season raises concerns. There’s no guarantee that the 20-time All-Star will maintain his elite level of play deep into the next campaign.

But for a franchise that hasn’t won a title since 2011, the gamble might be worth the upside.

Los Angeles Lakers’ Perspective: Holding the Cards

From the Lakers’ standpoint, letting go of LeBron James isn’t as simple as it looks. Though he’s near the end of his career, James remains their most valuable asset—on the court and in marketing. Trading him for a package of role players and picks might not align with the franchise’s long-term plans unless it frees them to land a major star or opens up cap flexibility.

My Verdict on the Trade

The Mavericks’ rumored interest in LeBron James is more than just smoke—it’s a calculated, if risky, pursuit of championship relevance. As Dan Favale notes, “Bringing in LeBron is one thing if he’s coming off a buyout… It is another venture entirely when you have to account for his $52.7 million salary.”Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Potentially Eyeing Reunion With $2,291,897 Toronto Raptors Center to support LeBron James and Luka DonicWhether Dallas can pull off this blockbuster remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Mavericks are not content to stand still. And in the unpredictable landscape of the NBA offseason, that might just be enough to make something happen.