The Mavericks are the new betting favorites to pull off a LeBron James trade, according to online sportsbook Bovada.
As per the latest odds, the Mavs (+125) are favored over the Heat (+500), Cavaliers (+550), Warriors (+600) and Knicks (+800) to acquire James from the Lakers.
The betting odds align with recent reports, as the Mavericks were among the four teams that inquired with the Lakers about a trade for James, per “Scoop B” Robinson.
On July 15, Robinson noted that the buzz about James potentially heading to the Mavericks is “getting louder again” after the rumors first surfaced in 2023.
“What started as an NBA summer fantasy in 2023 is once again floating through league circles — only this time, some are beginning to wonder aloud: Is it actually possible?” Robinson wrote.
Potential LeBron James Trade Package
A potential deal for James, who opted into $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, is easier said than done, given the restrictions imposed by the NBA’s new CBA. Furthermore, James has a no-trade clause and could potentially influence the players involved in the transaction to ensure he’s headed to a formidable team.
Robinson floated a potential deal to the Mavericks that could also work well for the Lakers, who are working on the timeline of 26-year-old superstar Luka Doncic.
Mavericks would receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
Lakers would receive: Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Max Christie
“The Lakers get younger, add depth, and could still remain competitive with Thompson’s shooting, Gafford’s energy, and Washington’s versatility,” wrote Robinson. “Meanwhile, Dallas lands the biggest name in basketball history and reunites the duo that once conquered the 2016 Finals.”
A Reunion on the Cards?
The potential trade would allow James to reunite with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, his two former championship-winning running mates, not to mention Jason Kidd, who was an assistant coach on the Lakers team that captured the 2020 NBA title. James would also reunite with ex-Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, who signed a two-year, $11.6M deal with the Mavericks as a free agent this offseason.
While James has been publicly thrilled about playing next to Doncic, some have suggested that “The King” wasn’t pleased to see Davis, one of his all-time favorite teammates, being shipped off to Dallas without prior notice.
That speculation grew louder when ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst reported on a strained relationship between James and the Lakers.
“James understood the Lakers taking advantage of an opportunity to pivot to the younger superstar,” the report read. “But from James’ perspective, sources said, nuance was sometimes lost during the transition. Doncic had never asked to be a Laker. James, for his part, had chosen L.A., coming in 2018 when the team had missed the playoffs five consecutive seasons, the worst run for the franchise since it moved from Minneapolis. Two years later, James had helped deliver a 17th championship.”
The bombshell report added that the Lakers “sent a message” to James by not offering him a new contract in the 2025 offseason, signaling their intent to clear cap space for the 2026 and 2027 offseasons, when several marquee players could become available.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, has reiterated that James plans to “make every season he has left count” and is prioritizing winning a championship.
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