Three-Team NBA Trade Idea Sends Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James to Dallas Mavericks

If LeBron James requests a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA legend could be interested in playing for the Dallas Mavericks since Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Jason Kidd and Nico Harrison are on the Mavs.

James won the 2016 championship with Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers and captured the 2020 title with Davis and Kidd on the Lakers. Kidd, who was an assistant coach with Los Angeles in 2020, played with James on the 2008 Olympic team. The two have a close relationship.

Meanwhile, James and Harrison know each other from Harrison’s days with Nike.

After James picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, his agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports) issued a cryptic statement to Shams Charania of ESPN.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.

“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

Some people believe James could request a trade from the Lakers after what Paul said.

With that said, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Lakers, Mavericks and Utah Jazz:

Dallas Mavericks Receive: LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kyle Anderson, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, 2029 first-round pick (their own, via Dallas)

Utah Jazz Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Philadelphia’s 2030 second-round pick (via Dallas), Dallas’ 2032 second-round pick

This trade idea would pair James with Irving, Davis and Cooper Flagg.

While James (40) is the oldest active player in the NBA, he’s still an elite force. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season in 70 games and made the All-NBA Second Team. 

It will be fascinating to see where James is playing next season. The Lakers haven’t released a statement yet about James picking up his 2025-26 player option, which has raised several eyebrows across the league.

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