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Can LeBron James Win an NBA Championship with Another Team?
Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James will likely finish his NBA career in Los Angeles, California. However, the recent speculation regarding a potential trade to another team has been interesting, to say the least. It’s doubtful James, 40, will be traded to a new team after opting in to his Lakers contract worth $52.6 million, but it’s worth putting some thought into.

Can LeBron James Win with a New Team?

There has been speculation about LeBron James possibly being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Though the speculation seems far-fetched, nothing is off-limits until it’s done. Never forget the Mavericks’ trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers this past February. The Lakers might want to jump-start the Doncic era.

That said, James’s no-clause contract allows him to control his future in the NBA. The Mavericks have reportedly shown interest in James, while the Lakers are reportedly focused on building for the Lakers’ future. Multiple sources reported that the Mavericks would only consider James if the Lakers bought him out.

Only time will tell. But, if James gets traded to the Mavericks or perhaps the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat, James’ playoff success can lead to a fifth NBA championship with any one of those three teams since he began his NBA career as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. James played high school basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio.

What Is James’ Outlook Entering 2025-26?

LeBron James’ outlook appears to be trending in the right direction, despite his age, 40, and soon-to-be 41 on December 30, 2025. James is expected to compete for an NBA championship in the 2025-26 NBA season. James remains capable of playing at a high level. However, James’ desire to win an NBA championship isn’t enough. James is a key player in his early 40s, but the Lakers might need to improve their roster and defensive structure to have a more realistic chance at winning their 18th NBA championship in franchise history.

Final Thoughts

LeBron James is unlikely to join the Dallas Mavericks, even with the possible reunion with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. The same goes for returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. However, James can win an NBA championship with the Lakers, at the very least. James adds to the Lakers’ star power and veteran leadership on and off the court. Still, the Lakers should address their issues with size and rim protection, bench depth, and defensive versatility to increase their chances of re-capturing the 2020 NBA Finals.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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