The Dallas Mavericks are interested in LeBron James, but they are not willing to pay a premium price, The Athletic reports.
LeBron James is a Laker for now after he gave “no indication” to the Los Angeles Lakers that he would seek a trade or a buyout, according to the same report from The Athletic.
But if James changes course, there have been four teams, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, that have shown interest in him in the aftermath of his agent Rich Paul’s controversial statement on June 29 when the Lakers star opted into his $52.6 million player option.
One of those four teams is the Mavericks, according to Scoop B. Robinson. However, as The Athletic reported, the Mavericks have drawn a line in the sand.
One team linked to James — the Dallas Mavericks — does not have interest in gutting its roster to match James’ salary in a trade, a team source told The Athletic.
And after the bad optics of the last Mavericks trade with the Lakers, it’s hard to imagine general manager Nico Harrison would like to go through it again.
LeBron Addition Can Make Mavericks Title Favorites
Getty Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks greets LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers during a timeout with Phil Handy on the background.
The Mavericks make a compelling case for James as his potential next destination if he ever wants a trade.
First, they have Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, James’ former running mates. They also have Jason Kidd, Frank Vogel, the two coaches with whom he worked to bring a championship to the Lakers in 2020. Then there is Phil Handy, the longtime player development and assistant coach, who recently joined the Mavericks coaching staff. Handy has been with James from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Lakers until last season.
But the most compelling reason would be that the Mavericks can construct a package without giving up Davis, Irving, No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively II.
James joining that four would make the Mavericks an instant title favorite.
However, they have to trade up to four players from their roster to match James’ salary, which would hard-cap them at the dreaded second apron.
Anthony Davis is ‘Fine’ After Eye Surgery
Getty Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis underwent eye surgery in the offseason.
A week after Davis underwent surgery to repair a detached retina, his agent provided a major update.
“He’s fine, he’s fine,” Paul, Klutch Sports CEO, told Frank Isola on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “Obviously, it’s the offseason. He’s a warrior trying to fight through things.”
When asked if Davis will be wearing protective goggles, Paul deferred that decision to the Mavericks’ big man.
“I don’t know, maybe, if he decides to do that,” Paul told Isola. “To protect it, I imagine that could be an option. But it also depends on how comfortable [Davis] would have to be to play. But obviously, I have to talk to him.”
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Davis is expected to be healthy for next training camp.
Davis averaged 24.7 points and 11.6 rebounds on 51.6% shooting in 51 games last season between the Lakers and the Mavericks. In nine games with the Mavericks since the blockbuster trade, Davis averaged 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 blocks.
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