With less than a month to go before the start of NBA free agency, it’s no surprise that rumors are starting to heat up across the league. In Dallas, the Mavericks have been front and center in the news cycle recently thanks to a recent report involving LeBron James.
According to sources, Irving has been campaigning for Dallas to trade for James and join him and Luka Doncic to form a new big three. Unfortunately for Irving, however, the Lakers are almost sure to refuse any offer Dallas could make for LeBron.
“If James were to demand a trade, and the Lakers were to entertain offers, it would take more than a package of, say, Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 draft and another future first to get a deal done,” reported Jovan Buha. “The Lakers simply aren’t interested in what Dallas could offer in a trade, according to multiple team sources. If Dallas is offering Luka Dončić for James, then yes, one would assume the Lakers will listen. But aside from that, the Lakers aren’t going to trade James to the Mavericks. James could try to force their hand, but that would just likely lead to a messy power struggle.”
If the Mavericks are offering Luka Dončić for LeBron James, then yes, one would assume the Lakers will listen.
But aside from that, they aren’t going to trade James to Dallas.
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LeBron is in no real position to force his team’s hand. While he is still an ultra-elite player, LeBron’s best days are behind him now and he doesn’t hold nearly the same power that he used to. If you’re the Lakers and Rob Pelinka, why give him up for anything but a premium package?
For right now, the Mavericks are still very much a long shot to land LeBron James, but they may end up losing Kyrie Irving depending on how the situation plays out.
Is LeBron Putting Pressure On the Lakers?
While James may not be keen n forcing his way out via trade request, there are other ways he can get what he wants. Without LeBron, LA is in no position to compete for a championship and his threats about potentially linking up with Irving in Dallas may very well be his attempt at getting the Lakers to give in to his demands and pick up Kyrie this summer.
Only time will tell us how this saga ultimately plays out for everyone involved…
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