If LeBron James wants to leave the Lakers soon, the Mavericks could be interested, but only if James does one thing to make himself available.

LeBron James opting into his player contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by a statement released by his agent, has fueled trade and buyout rumors for the last week. He wants the best possible chance to compete for a championship, and even though the Lakers now have Luka Doncic, the rest of the roster is discombobulated, at best.

ESPN Insider Addresses Trade Move That 'Doesn't Make Sense' for LeBron James originally appeared on Athlon Sports. LeBron James picked up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, but his decision only fueled speculation about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers.