The LeBron-to-Dallas whispers? They’re getting louder again.
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?
“I will say that there has been some LeBron-and-Dallas buzz going on a couple years now,” said Lakers insider Jovan Buha. “Remember in the summer of 2023, right after Dallas had traded for Kyrie, there was that rumor out there that LeBron was gonna go to Dallas on a vet minimum contract and team up with Draymond, and it was gonna be Luka, Kyrie, LeBron and Draymond. That, of course, did not happen. But there has been some buzz I will say in the general NBA ether over the last week or two with LeBron and Dallas.”
Let’s unpack this.
The 2023 Phone Call: LeBron & Kyrie Reconnect
I was briefed back in 2023 on a private phone call between Kyrie Irving and LeBron James shortly after the Mavericks traded for Irving. Irving, who’s always had a deep bond with James from their Cleveland days, made the pitch directly.
“Kyrie asked LeBron to find a way to come to the Dallas Mavericks,” a source familiar with the call told me. “At the end of their conversation, LeBron told him: ‘I’ll think about it.’”
That line — “I’ll think about it” — became a conversation starter behind the scenes across league offices, front offices, and barbershop debates. But almost immediately, those close to LeBron tried to squash it.
One person in James’ camp told me directly: “Hell no Scoop, there’s no way that LeBron James forces a trade to the Dallas Mavericks. Kyrie can come to the Lakers if he wants.”
Still, Irving’s side never lost hope. One person familiar with Kyrie’s thinking put it this way: “Kyrie would love to team up with LeBron again — if it makes sense for both sides.”
Irving the Recruiter: Klay, Anta & the Dallas Rebuild
Fast forward to now, and Kyrie Irving has turned out to be more than just a superstar guard for the Mavs — he’s a full-time recruiter.
He helped convince Klay Thompson to take his talents to Dallas this summer, reuniting with his fellow Team USA alum and fellow Anta sneaker endorser. The two share Olympic gold medals and an off-court bond that’s been key in shaping the Mavs’ new-look roster.
Sources have long indicated that part of the reason Dallas traded for Irving — and eventually re-signed him — was because of his influence in attracting talent. That same appeal could now be tested again.
Because while LeBron hasn’t requested a trade, he’s also not shying away from making his priorities clear.
LeBron’s Player Option & Rich Paul’s Message
LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, but his longtime agent and business partner Rich Paul recently offered pointed commentary during an interview with ESPN.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.”
Paul continued:
“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.”
This isn’t just talk. Back in February 2024, the Golden State Warriors reached out to the Lakers in hopes of trading for James. Through Paul, LeBron made clear: he wasn’t interested. He wanted to remain a Laker.
But that was then.
The Logistics: What Would a Trade Look Like?
Let’s be clear — LeBron James has a no-trade clause. Any deal involving the King would require his direct approval. But if things did change, and James decided Dallas was the spot?
Here’s one framework floated to me:
Dallas receives:
- LeBron James
- Bronny James
Los Angeles receives:
- 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. Meanwhile, Dallas lands the biggest name in basketball history and reunites the duo that once conquered the 2016 Finals.
The Bigger Picture
The Mavericks are coming off an interesting season in which they traded away Luka Doncic to the Lakers and got Anthony Davis. They also have Irving who is rehabbing from ACL surgery and head coach Jason Kidd wants a contract extension.
If ever there was a time for LeBron James to give Dallas serious thought, it’s now. That doesn’t mean a deal is imminent. But the whispers are real. And in today’s NBA, whispers often lead to fireworks.
Whether the Lakers can still provide LeBron the clearest path to Banner No. 5 is a question being asked both inside and outside of L.A.
And if the answer ever becomes no…
The phone lines in Dallas are open.
