Warriors, Cavaliers, Mavericks are expected to chase LeBron James in 2026
Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks are all expected to pursue Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James when their current contract expires after the 2025-26 season.
Warrior, Cavaliers, Mavericks are interested in LeBron James
James will be 41 next summer. It is not certain that the four-time NBA MVP will continue to play at a high level in his 23rd season, but he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists last season.
Despite his age, James’ status is arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, meaning he may be the most popular free agent next year. Especially these three teams are paying attention to Akron locals.
“Cleveland, Dallas and Golden State, these are the three teams I’m looking at,” NBA executives told Ashish Mathur of Dallashhoopsjournal.com.
“These three guys all want to trade for him this offseason, but he never asked for a deal, he made too much money. Once he entered the open market, these three guys sued him. I have no doubt.”
2025-26 may be James’ last season with the Lakers
James’ agent Rich Paul hints that the upcoming season could be his client’s statement to ESPN’s Shams Charania in June that James “knows the Lakers for the future construction,” the four-time NBA champion “want to keep him in every season left.”
James signed a two-year, $114 million contract with the Lakers last July.
James and Damian Lillard are now the only NBA players with no trade clauses in their contracts as Phoenix Suns bought out Bradley Beal’s contract.
In June, James chose his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26. If the 21st All-Star Game rejects his choice, he will be allowed to sign a three-year, $175.3 million contract.
Warriors hold trade talks with James in February 2024
According to reports, Golden State reportedly bids for the February 2024 trade deadline, but neither the Lakers nor James are willing to “will to explore potential blockbusters” according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
The plan is to pair the Warriors with James with his close friend Stephen Curry. Jeanie Buss, then-Lakes boss, told Warriors boss Joe Lacob that Los Angeles didn’t want to trade James.
James’ third-time Cavaliers will return to his hometown team, who ranked first overall in the 2003 draft at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
Another option for the four-time finals MVP is to join the Mavericks. Two former teammates of James won the ring with Dallas: Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
However, it remains to be seen whether James will leave Luka Doncic’s new teammate and his own son Bronny James to join the contender in Los Angeles.
