NBA Executive Expects Cavaliers, Mavericks, Warriors To Pursue Lakers’ LeBron James Next Offseason When He Becomes Free Agent

August 8, 2025

An NBA executive expects the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors to pursue Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason, according to DallasHoopsJournal.com.

LeBron, who turns 41 in December, becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018. The NBA legend will make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract with the Lakers.

“Cleveland, Dallas and Golden State, those are the three teams I’m looking at,” the NBA executive said. “All three would have loved to trade for him this offseason, but he never requested a trade and he makes way too much money. Once he’s on the open market, those three will court him. I have no doubt in my mind.”

The last time LeBron was a free agent, he left the Cavaliers for the Lakers. The leading scorer in NBA history guided Los Angeles to the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.

LeBron has played for the Cavaliers twice. He’s the best player in franchise history and will get his No. 23 jersey retired by the organization one day. It would be a cool story to see King James retire with Cleveland.

A four-time MVP, LeBron has played and won a championship with Mavericks stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. LeBron and Irving won the 2016 title with the Cavaliers, while LeBron and Davis won the 2020 championship with the Lakers. LeBron also has a rapport with Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and assistant coach Phil Handy.

The Warriors tried to trade for LeBron during the 2023-24 season, but the Lakers weren’t interested. LeBron is friends with Golden State veterans Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Curry and LeBron were teammates last summer on Team USA and played well together.

It will be intriguing to see if LeBron retires after next season or chooses to play in 2026-27. The future Hall of Famer has been in the NBA since 2003. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season, making the All-NBA Second Team and finishing sixth in MVP voting at 40 years old.

LeBron James enters next season with career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. He’s the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists.