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LeBron James ‘Had Eyes’ on Mavericks Before Re-Upping with Lakers, Inside Report Reveals
LeBron James surprised NBA fans by exercising his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025‑26 season—but not before casting a glance at the Dallas Mavericks, sources suggest.
Opting in deviated from his usual pattern of opting out and renegotiating. According to Klutch Sports boss Rich Paul, LeBron’s decision was tactical: “LeBron wants to compete for a championship … values a realistic chance of winning it all,” Paul explained—acknowledging LeBron’s cautious stance toward the Lakers’ current roster setup .
Yet that wasn’t the full picture. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the Mavericks could only pursue LeBron in a buyout scenario, putting Dallas firmly in play—should LeBron and the Lakers part ways . Other insiders have floated the possibility of Cleveland, the Clippers, or even Golden State as potential destinations—though a trade’s deep financial hurdles make these largely theoretical .
Still, betting markets continue to favor LeBron’s Lakers return. DraftKings shows odds of –700 (≈ 87.5%) on him staying in LA, versus +800 on a move to Dallas . Meanwhile, The Athletic reports no active trade or buyout talks have taken place—suggesting most discussions remain speculative .
Insiders say this offseason marks a turning point: LeBron, entering his 23rd NBA year and his first alongside fellow star Luka Dončić, is watching closely what the Lakers do with their roster—especially in the front court . Should LA fail to land key pieces around its aging superstar, LeBron could reconsider next summer when he hits unrestricted free agency in 2026 .
For now, however, the Lakers will ride into next season with LeBron firmly in tow—his full option picked up, eyes forward, and contingency menus active behind the scenes.
