For the first time since the summer of 2018, LeBron James is heading towards unrestricted free agency. Next summer, he will be totally free to join whichever team is willing to pay for his services. The two most likely options, aside from retirement, seem to be the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Dallas Mavericks remain an option.
A September 22nd survey of ESPN experts had seven writers pick the Lakers, five picked retirement, and four picked the Cavaliers as James’ next chapter. Only one unnamed writer floated the Mavericks as a possible destination.
In many ways, James’ signing with Dallas to end his career is even more poetic than his returning to Cleveland, although he would have to make massive sacrifices to do it.
Path for James to Sign With Mavericks Outlined
When James kicks off free agency next summer, it’s safe to assume that every team in the league will be interested. His name and brand alone are enough to boost team revenue, and it stands to reason that he will still be producing at a high level.
With several future Hall of Famers already on the roster and an elite youngster in Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks look tailor-made for James to retire with a fifth championship to his name.
However, Dallas already has 12 players under contract for the 2026-27 season, and won’t be able to offer James anything close to the maximum he will be seeking. In the past, James has refused to take pay cuts to help his team win, but there is a sliver of hope that Dallas could be the exception to that trend.
“It seems unlikely that LeBron James would consider a minimum or midlevel contract,” admitted Sports Illustrated’s Austin Veazey. “However, LeBron is close with Anthony Davis, who was traded to Dallas last season, as well as recently signed D’Angelo Russell. There are also five coaches on staff who were on the 2020 Lakers championship team, including Jason Kidd and Frank Vogel. But to shed contract to add another frontcourt player may be hard to do for the Mavs next offseason.”
Unless the Mavericks pull off a trade between now and next summer, which is always a possibility, the Mavericks remain a distant option behind remaining in Los Angeles and returning home to Cleveland.
Why James Should Pick Mavericks Over Cavaliers
Only Larry Nance Jr. is on the roster from James’ time with the Cavs. The rest have retired or wound up on other teams.
Granted, James spent his first season on the Lakers playing alongside Lonzo Ball, who was traded to Cleveland this summer. However, teaming up with his legendary teammates would be the best way to go out.
Kyrie Irving and Davis are two of the best players James has ever shared the court with, and are certainly the two best still in the league. On top of that, James and Kidd are close friends, and Frank Vogel is on Kidd’s staff.
While James might not be able to “go out” in Cleveland, if he agrees to take a pay cut he could chase one last ring with some of his greatest teammates. That would be the storybook ending he seems to be chasing.