Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has signed a contract through the 2023-24 NBA season. Although he is owed more than $51 million in salary through the 2024-25 season, that year is a player option for him.
That means he could opt out, become a free agent, and join a new team in hopes of winning another NBA championship or fulfilling his other legacy goals.
If James does decide to leave Los Angeles, here are three teams that could lure the league’s all-time leading scorer to their city.
Luka Doncic is one of the top players in the NBA, with a versatile skill set that is reminiscent of James’ versatility on the court. Dallas had a record of 38-44 last season and missed the playoffs.
However, they have a former James partner on their roster in Kyrie Irving, with the two last playing together in the 2016-17 season. Irving had requested a trade in hopes of getting out of James’ shadow, and while he hasn’t had much success in the playoffs since, Irving has developed into a truly elite offensive player; he’s far smarter than he was in Cleveland , more efficient.
Irving reportedly reached out to James during this past free agency period in an attempt to reunite with the Mavericks, suggesting that any thoughts Irving had before James left are now outdated.
Exactly what a reunion will look like and the roster gymnastics Mark Cuban will need to do to acquire James remains to be seen, but if he can pull it off without giving up too much depth, the Mavericks could pose a serious threat to the Mavericks The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns threaten the Western Conference.
In addition to Doncic and Irving, Dallas also has Josh Green, Seth Curry, Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes, Maxi Kleber and Grant Williams. and other players, they can all become high-quality role players in the championship team led by Doncic’s Big Three. Irving, James. If the latter two have mended their relationship, that could be a legitimate possibility next offseason.