Rumor: Cavaliers, Mavericks, Knicks Hoping LeBron James Gets Bought Out By Lakers Before Next NBA Season

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks are hoping LeBron James gets bought out by the Los Angeles Lakers before next season, according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. 

James makes too much money ($52.6 million) next season for contenders like the Cavaliers, Mavericks and Knicks to trade for him. 

However, if James gets bought out by the Lakers before the 2025-26 season starts, the Cavaliers, Mavericks and Knicks can sign him. 

The odds of James and the Lakers agreeing to a buyout, though, are very, very low. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP hasn’t had buyout or trade discussions with Los Angeles, according to Joe Vardon and Dan Woike of The Athletic. 

All signs point toward James starting next season on the Lakers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. 

If Los Angeles struggles next season, James can request a trade or agree to a buyout. The NBA legend has a no-trade clause in his contract. 

James turns 41 in December. He’s the oldest active player in the NBA, but you wouldn’t know that from watching him play. The future Hall of Famer made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season. 

James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists for the Lakers last season. The Akron native shot 51.3% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 78.2% from the free-throw line in 70 games. 

The Cavaliers lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in five games, the Mavericks missed the postseason after making the 2024 NBA Finals and the Knicks lost to the Pacers in the conference finals in six games. 

James, of course, has played for Cleveland twice. He’s the best player in franchise history and will get his No. 23 jersey retired by the organization one day. 

James has been heavily linked to the Mavericks since Dallas has Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Jason Kidd and Phil Handy, while Knicks president Leon Rose used to be LeBron’s agent before Rich Paul took over and new head coach Mike Brown coached The King in Cleveland.