Finding a viable trade for LeBron James may end up among the top priorities for the Los Angeles Lakers in the coming months depending on how he receives the roster moves they do — or perhaps more pertinently don’t — make this offseason.
James wants the team to use the draft picks and swaps at its disposal to build a roster that can compete in a loaded Western Conference next season. However, it’s unclear if that is even possible with the assets L.A. has combined with its salary cap situation — not to mention the players available either via trade or free agency.
If the Lakers decide to trade James, his preference may be to head east, where far fewer obstacles reside on the road to title contention. The best and simplest deals with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers also generally exist in the Eastern Conference. However, the Lakers could look to the Dallas Mavericks to reunite Luka Doncic with two former teammates the Mavs acquired specifically to play with the superstar point guard.
Doncic earned a trip to the NBA Finals while teammates with hyper-athletic center Daniel Gafford in 2023-24, and Dallas added sharpshooter and four-time champion Klay Thompson last offseason to work off Doncic and his supreme playmaking ability.
The Mavericks shifted strategies during the middle of the campaign, dealing Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis in the surprise move of at least this century, if not all of league history.
Los Angeles wants to build around Doncic, while James is looking for a title shot in 2025-26. A trade constructed around James, Thompson and Gafford could make sense on both sides if they can make the money work.
Lakers, Mavericks Can Help Each Other Build More Optimal Rosters Via James Trade for Gafford, Thompson
GettyKlay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks.
One can make a strong argument that Dallas is probably closer to championship contention right now than the Lakers given the size and the defensive prowess the Mavericks have amassed along the frontline. However, it isn’t reasonable to believe they can make a legitimate run through the gauntlet that is the Western Conference without a healthy Kyrie Irving back in the lineup after an ACL tear.
The team’s decision to re-sign Gafford to a three-year deal worth $54 million this summer could be about keeping him as an asset more than slotting him in as a meaningful piece of the longterm plan. Dallas also has Davis and Dereck Lively II to run out as the starting power forward/center combo, and paying all three of them at the top of their markets once Lively signs an extension in a year or two probably doesn’t make sense financially.
Thompson provides needed outside shooting in Dallas, but he’s not the defender or the playmaker James is. James also shoots the 3-pointer at a solid clip (37.6% on 5.7 attempts per game last season) and can shoulder some of the ball-handling duties the Mavericks are missing with Irving potentially sidelined for much of the upcoming campaign.
James could help the Mavericks stay viable alongside former championship teammate Davis (Lakers) and while another of his former title teammates — Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers) — recovers. There also exists the invaluable mentorship James could offer to No. 1 overall pick/rookie Cooper Flagg.
Gafford, meanwhile, could provide much-needed rim defense and a lob threat for Doncic in L.A., while Thompson could space the floor and feast on open catch-and-shoot 3-pointers with Doncic probing the lane and drawing help defenders.
Salary Considerations Could Complicate Lakers, Mavericks Trade
GettyDallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford.
Dallas can trade Gafford immediately and won’t have to wait the typical six months following his contract extension, based on its length and overall value. The fact that they structured his deal that way indicates the Mavericks are open to dealing the center.
However, the combined 2025 salaries of Gafford ($17.26 million) and Thompson ($16.67 million via his three-year, $50 million contract) still fall about $18.7 million shy of the $52.6 million the Lakers owe James this season.
Including P.J. Washington’s expiring contract ($14.15 million) alongside Gafford and Thompson would get the Mavericks workably close to James’ number. But the Mavericks aren’t likely going to want to part with the size plus the offensive and defensive versatility Washington provides their lineups if they are already moving Gafford.
Thus, the complications of the double-reunion deal in Los Angeles and Dallas could require a third team to actually work.
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