With his 23rd season approaching, the question isn’t whether LeBron James can still play. It’s where he’ll play next.
The 40-year-old superstar officially opted into his $52.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, but according to reports from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and NBA insiders Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst, four teams have already made their interest known.
Mavericks, Warriors, Cavs, Clippers: The Shortlist for LeBron’s Next Move
Per LeBron’s agent Rich Paul, four franchises have contacted the Lakers regarding potential trade scenarios:
- Dallas Mavericks
- Golden State Warriors
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Los Angeles Clippers
Rich Paul emphasized LeBron hasn’t asked for a trade, but he also made it clear LeBron is evaluating what’s best for his final NBA seasons.
“He wants to make every season he has left count,” Paul told ESPN. “We will evaluate what is best for LeBron in this new stage of his life and career.”
Warriors Back in the Mix for a Super Team Bid
Among those four teams, the Golden State Warriors stand out.
Reports from Bill Simmons and ESPN suggest Golden State is preparing another serious push to acquire LeBron after trying and failing during the 2023–24 season.
According to Simmons, the proposed trade would even include LeBron and Bronny James heading to the Bay, with Golden State sending back Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga as part of a massive swap.
The idea? Pair LeBron James and Stephen Curry in what could be the most iconic late-career super team in NBA history.
Why LeBron Might Walk Away from the Lakers
Despite opting in, LeBron’s long-term fit in Los Angeles feels more uncertain than ever. The Lakers have shifted toward building around Luka Dončić, following their blockbuster deal earlier this summer.
“It’s Luka’s team now,” as multiple league voices have put it.
Even with strong numbers, 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds across 70 games last season, LeBron’s championship window is tightening. If he believes the Lakers aren’t a serious title contender, one of those four teams could present a more appealing final chapter.
Maverick or Cavalier Again?
Aside from Golden State, LeBron’s two former teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks, are reportedly monitoring the situation.
- A Cleveland reunion would bring his career full circle, back to where it started.
- Dallas would create a blockbuster pairing with Luka Dončić, possibly keeping LeBron in the Western Conference arms race.
- The Clippers? Less clear on fit, but they’re also on the radar.
No Trade Request (Yet), But the Clock Is Ticking
Rich Paul insists there’s been no formal trade request. But the interest is real, and the whispers are getting louder.
With Summer League underway and front offices making calls behind the scenes, LeBron’s future is once again the league’s biggest question mark.
Four teams have already stepped up.
Now it’s on the Lakers to convince him they still deserve to keep The King.