LeBron James failed Tuesday to deliver on his so-called “second decision,” essentially baiting and subsequently trolling NBA media and fans by hinting that he might announce his upcoming retirement before instead making public a new business partnership with Hennessey VSOP.
But despite the anti-climactic developments of Tuesday, there is still a very real chance that James’ tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers comes to an end by this time next year, if not before then.
The four-time champion is entering his 23rd professional campaign in 2025-26, which also happens to be the final year on his current contract in L.A. It is unclear what James’ plans are, but retirement or free agency next summer are both in play.
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There are also several scenarios in which the Lakers might choose to trade James. For instance, if they are certain he isn’t returning in 2026-27, either because he tells them so or the organization decides it can better use its finances on younger players more specifically suited to play alongside 26-year-old superstar Luka Doncic.
Under those circumstances, moving James mid-season to a team looking for a late push toward playoff and/or championship contention could result in a meaningful return for the Lakers, especially if the trade is to a destination where James might decide he wants to play another year or two.
The Dallas Mavericks could fit the bill on all counts, with No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg now in-house and point guard Kyrie Irving, a former championship teammate of James’ with the Cleveland Cavaliers, potentially on track to return from an ACL tear at some point in the second half of the season. Big man Anthony Davis is also a member of the Mavericks and a former championship teammate of James’ with the Lakers.
“The Dallas Mavericks could cobble together the salaries of Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin and Naji Marshall to get close to James’ $52.6 million contract while still keeping Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, D’Angelo Russell, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II and others,” Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report wrote Tuesday.
“We know all too well that these front offices can negotiate behind the scenes. If James is looking for a new home, the Mavericks should be extremely interested in reuniting the four-time MVP with Irving and Davis.”
Thompson and Gafford both played with Doncic prior to his trade from Dallas to L.A. last season. Thompson is a four-time NBA champion earning a total of $50 million across three years who can provide the exact type of shooting threat that has proven lethal alongside Doncic as the primary ball handler.
Meanwhile, Gafford just inked a tradable three-year, $54 million deal and is the type of rim-running center/lob threat that has succeeded so well with Doncic in the past.
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