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Lakers insider lists four trade destinations for LeBron James

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By Titan Frey | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 11:45 AM ET

LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers may not be a phrase uttered by the time the 2025-26 season begins. There is a lot of speculation going around about whether LeBron will remain in LA, and now a Lakers insider has listed four trade destinations for the four-time NBA champion.

According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, these four teams could be real suitors to land LeBron in a trade.

“I don’t think we’re at the point of him asking out, but if he does, I assume there will be a list,” Buha said. “In terms of teams that would make sense, I came up with four: Dallas, Cleveland, New York, and Golden State. In no particular order.”

Could Lakers lose LeBron?

The Dallas Mavericks are a team with a lot of connections to LeBron and would make sense for a destination spot. They already have two of LeBron’s former championship-winning teammates in Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.

The Cavaliers are always an option since LeBron is from Akron, and started his career in Cleveland, while also bringing the franchise its first title in 2016. As for the Knicks, New York is the mecca of basketball and that alone could interest LeBron.

It is hard to think of LeBron in a Golden State Warriors jersey, especially after all their battles in the Finals. Still, LeBron has expressed a desire to play alongside Stephen Curry and the two would complement each other very well.

Is LeBron leaving the Lakers a real possibility? It is, as it appears that the Lakers want to rebuild around Luka Doncic. Ultimately, any trade would be up to LeBron.

King James holds the powerful no-trade clause, meaning he gets the final say on if he’ll accept a trade or not. So, for the meantime, expect LeBron to be wearing purple and gold at the start of the 2025-26 season.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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