NBA Insider Unsure of LeBron’s Lakers Future; Mavs ‘Big 3’ with Luka, Kyrie?
The Dallas Mavericks face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, and if recent history is any indicator, it should be a great game with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving battling against Lebron James and Anthony Davis (assuming Doncic and James play, that is – both are questionable).
It wouldn't truly be a Mavs-Lakers matchup without some sort of trade or free-agency speculation, though, and on the latest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst expressed doubt about James' future with the Lakers past this season.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen with LeBron in 2025," Windhorst said. "I feel like LeBron is gonna play next year, but I don’t know if it’s gonna be for the Lakers”
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
This kind of speculation can be easily connected to the Mavs for several reasons. Not only does James have great relationships with Doncic, Irving and Dallas head coach Jason Kidd, but The Athletic's Shams Charania reported last summer that Irving reached out to James in order to gauge his interest in potentially coming to Big D.
Heading into tonight's matchup, the Mavs are 24-17 and sitting at fifth in the Western Conference standings despite having battled several injuries in the first half of the season. The Lakers are 20-21, good for 10th in the West with the Houston Rockets in their rearview mirror.
James is nearing the end of his illustrious career, but he still has a good bit left in the tank if he decides to move on to one final destination that gives him a chance to win another championship. Through 37 games, James is averaging 24.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists while shooting 52.4 percent overall and 39.0 percent from deep.
It's unlikely that James will request a trade before the Feb. 8 deadline, but since he has a player option for the final year of his contract, he would enter unrestricted free agency this summer. And if that happens, the speculation on his future will only grow.
As much as Irving has been linked to the Lakers in rumors over the last few years, perhaps it's time to start viewing LeBron to the Mavs as the more viable option on the table.
