Dallas Mavericks fans must feel like they’ve lived many lives over the past few years.
The breaking up of Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson was followed by the acquisition of the then maligned Kyrie Irving. Irving’s redemption arc figured in greatly to his and Doncic’s ability to lead Dallas to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. Whether it’s just hubris or he’s a mad genius, Mavs general manager Nico Harrison then traded Doncic in a package that brought them Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a single first-round pick. As if struck by a curse, a string of injuries that put an ominous cloud over the organization.
Ironically, this aided their ability to land the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With that pick, they selected Duke’s freshman phenom, Cooper Flagg. The versatile forward has been compared to players like Jayson Tatum, Scottie Pippen, and Andrei Kirilenko.
‘Buzz’ Mavs Could Land LeBron James In Surprise Lakers Trade
Now, there’s seemingly an actual chance that they’ll be able to add arguably the greatest player of all-time.
In a recent episode of Buha’s Block Podcast, Los Angeles Lakers reporter Jovan Buha spoke about the possibility that LeBron James asked out of the City of Angels.
“I think it’s a little bit too early for that… but if he does, I assume there would be a list,” Buha says.
Based on what’s perhaps a mix of personal opinion and intel, he then names four teams: the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors.
Could LeBron James have the Dallas Mavericks on his list of teams IF he asked out?
Buzz in the NBA ether about LeBron & Dallas?
Check this out from @jovanbuha #MFFL
(
: Buha’s Block Podcast) pic.twitter.com/trngn9A2Nt
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) June 30, 2025
Buha then adds that “there’s been some LeBron and Dallas buzz going on a couple of years now.”
Taking a walk down memory lane, he mentions a rumor from 2023 that James was going to leave the Lakers to team up with Doncic, Irving and Draymond Green in Dallas. However, it’s not just the previous connection that led to him listing the Mavericks:
“There has been some buzz in the general NBA ether over the last week or two with LeBron and Dallas.”
Could LeBron’s Mavs Win It All?
If James were to leave the Lakers for the Mavericks, multiple variables would factor into the decision.
Undoubtedly, the primary one would be that he believes they give him the best chance to win a championship. For all his comments about the toxicity of ring culture, his goal every season is to get one. So, the real question to ask is would James be able to add to his collection by going to Dallas.
Hypothetically, the Mavericks could acquire James and Dalton Knecht in exchange for Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford and Jaden Hardy. This deal would bring Thompson back home to California, playing for the team his father wanted him to choose during his free agency saga. Furthermore, the Lakers would get a center upgrade in Gafford and a starting-level forward in Washington.
James would then join Irving, Flagg, and Davis in what would be a truly formidable lineup.
Of course, Irving is out until at least January with an ACL injury. That being said, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd is preparing to play Flagg at point guard in Summer League. Furthermore, with those three surrounded by players like Knecht, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, and even Brandon Williams, the offense shouldn’t be an issue. With multiple above-average defenders, the other end shouldn’t be a problem either.
Ultimately, Dallas could very well compete for a championship with a James trade. It’s in line with everything else that’s happened with the Mavs.
© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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