NBA Trade / Free Agency Rumors: Would LeBron James Really Abandon Lakers for Mavs?

As of July 1, 2025, it appears the Dallas Mavericks could be mostly finished with their offseason plans after drafting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, re-signing Kyrie Irving to a new three-year contract, signing Daniel Gafford to a three-year extension, and signing D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $12 million contract using the Taxpayer MLE. However… there’s some drama brewing in Hollywood, as LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be heading for a break-up… and the Mavs find themselves in the middle of trade/free agency rumors and speculation when it comes to where the league’s all-time leading scorer could play next. On the latest episode of our Mavs Step Back podcast, we break down Russell’s fit in Dallas and why he’s likely poised to surpass most fans’ expectations. We also touch on the LeBron drama, discussing the only trade/free agency scenarios we’d be ok with when it comes to the possibility of him joining the Mavs. Thanks for listening, and be sure to hit that subscribe button! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy