LeBron James Could Form A Mavericks Superteam If He Really Wants To Win His 5th Championship

LeBron James’ future is still uncertain right now because we do not know if he wants to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers or look elsewhere to play out the rest of his career. The King has a $51.4 million player option which he will certainly reject this summer for a two-year deal before his retirement.

The Dallas Mavericks franchise is one of the favorites to land LeBron James if he leaves the Lakers, and it makes sense for both parties in terms of a reunion. LeBron James won an NBA title with Kyrie Irving in Cleveland in 2016, and their on-court chemistry is perfect. Not to mention, Luka Doncic is one of LeBron’s favorite players. To put himself in a position to win a fifth NBA championship, James could play in Dallas for the next two years.

Why Should LeBron James Leave The Lakers?

LeBron James should consider leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Dallas Mavericks if he wants to maximize his chances of winning another championship. The Lakers are currently constrained by their commitment to Anthony Davis, whose injury history and inconsistency can jeopardize their title hopes. Additionally, if D'Angelo Russell declines his player option, the Lakers' options to build around LeBron become limited. They could potentially trade Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and a 2024 pick to acquire a star like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, or Donovan Mitchell. However, this approach would leave the team with a Big Three of LeBron, Davis, and the new star but without the necessary depth, reminiscent of the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns, who struggled despite having top-tier talent.

In contrast, joining the Mavericks would allow LeBron to form a superteam with Luka Doncic, one of the league's most versatile and dynamic players. The Mavericks have the assets and flexibility to build a more balanced roster with depth, providing a stronger foundation for sustained success. LeBron's addition to a team with Doncic would create a formidable duo that can compete at the highest level, especially if the Mavericks can surround them with quality role players and maintain roster depth.

How Can The Mavericks Land LeBron James?

The Dallas Mavericks can land LeBron James through a strategic sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. While the notion of LeBron rejecting his $51 million player option to sign a mid-level contract with the Mavericks is highly unrealistic and implausible, a more feasible approach involves LeBron signing a new contract with the Lakers and then being traded to Dallas.

In this scenario, LeBron could sign a three-year deal worth $163 million with the Lakers, who would then facilitate a trade to the Mavericks. In return, the Lakers would receive Tim Hardaway Jr. ($16.1 million), Josh Green ($12.6 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11.0 million).

This arrangement benefits both teams: the Lakers would avoid losing LeBron without compensation and gain valuable assets to rebuild their roster. Tim Hardaway Jr. would provide scoring and veteran presence, Josh Green offers youthful energy and defensive potential, and Maxi Kleber adds versatility and shooting.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks would acquire LeBron James, pairing him with Luka Dončić to form a formidable duo capable of challenging for an NBA championship. With LeBron's leadership and experience, combined with Doncic’s talent and youth, the Mavericks would instantly become title contenders, significantly enhancing their chances of securing a championship.

How Will The Mavericks Look With LeBron James?

The new lineup of Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford would create a formidable and well-balanced team. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James reuniting would rekindle the chemistry that led to a championship in Cleveland, bringing a wealth of playoff experience and clutch performances. Luka would remain the primary option, benefiting from LeBron’s ability to draw defenses and create opportunities.

With LeBron’s passing and court vision, Doncic would have another elite weapon to pass to, making the Mavericks' offense more dynamic and unpredictable. PJ Washington would slot in as a versatile forward capable of stretching the floor and providing solid defense, while Daniel Gafford would anchor the defense with his shot-blocking and rebounding abilities. Both Washington and Gafford would likely elevate their play alongside the superstars.

The bench will still be filled with some exciting talent including sharpshooter Dante Exum, backup big Dwight Powell, and current rookie Dereck Lively II. Jaden Hardy and JaVale McGee will also be on the squad, but the goal will be to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr. and potentially look at veteran minimum deals including Spencer Dinwiddie who played alongside Luka Doncic in the 2022 season when they made the Western Conference Finals.

The Mavericks With LeBron Are The Favorite For The 2025 Championship

LeBron James has the opportunity to create a formidable superteam by joining the Dallas Mavericks, making them immediate favorites for the 2025 NBA Championship. With Luka Dončić facilitating the offense, LeBron James, even in his 40s, remains a mismatch against any player in the league. His versatility and basketball IQ are unmatched, ensuring that the Mavericks would have a dominant presence on both ends of the court.

Paired with Kyrie Irving, one of the best offensive players in NBA history, who excels at spotting up from three, the Mavericks would possess a lethal scoring threat alongside LeBron. Additionally, the development of PJ Washington into a consistent shooter and the presence of Daniel Gafford as a capable center who can finish inside and catch lobs would provide the team with both scoring and defensive options. Bench players like Lively II and Exum could play pivotal roles, adding depth and versatility to the roster.

In the Western Conference, the Mavericks would emerge as the team to beat, ahead of competitors like the Timberwolves, Thunder, and Nuggets. The combination of LeBron, Luka, and Kyrie would form a Big Three that rivals any in recent NBA history, potentially outclassing even the strongest teams in the East, like the Celtics. With LeBron's leadership and playmaking abilities, along with the scoring prowess of Luka and Kyrie, the Mavericks would have the depth and star power necessary to navigate a challenging playoff run and secure their place as favorites for the 2025 NBA championship.