NBA news: LeBron James stays with LA Lakers, but Dallas dream nearly came true
LeBron James has officially opted into the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, securing a $52.6 million payday, reports Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
While this decision signals a continued commitment to the franchise he has helped define since 2018, reports suggest that his future was far from certain during the offseason.
According to multiple insiders, including John Hollinger of The Athletic, the NBA's all-time leading scorer gave serious thought to a potential move to the Dallas Mavericks.
Eyes on Dallas
The rumours were not just typical offseason chatter. Sources within league circles revealed that James had a strong interest in joining the Mavericks, where he would have been reunited with two familiar faces, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
Both players have played pivotal roles alongside James in the past, with Irving teaming up with him during their championship run in Cleveland and Davis serving as his partner in Los Angeles.
What made Dallas even more intriguing for James was the arrival of Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, who James has publicly praised.
He believes Flagg has the potential to be a generational talent and would have relished the opportunity to mentor the young star while chasing one last title.
Despite the appeal, money and logistics proved too complicated to overcome.
James was not willing to give up his Lakers salary for a mid-level exception from Dallas, and the NBA’s current salary cap restrictions made a trade or buyout extremely unlikely.
Both the Mavericks and Lakers are operating near the tax apron, which severely limits their flexibility under the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
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The power behind the decision
James’ agent, Rich Paul, added fuel to the speculation earlier in the summer when he made comments about his client’s mindset.
Paul acknowledged that James wants to make every remaining season count and emphasised that title contention remains his top priority.
He also pointed out that while Los Angeles continues to support James, they are simultaneously planning for the future, particularly with young talents like Austin Reaves.
The Lakers, for their part, have tried to reshape the roster around James.
They signed Deandre Ayton to fill a long-standing need at centre but also lost key contributors like Dorian Finney-Smith, who signed with the Houston Rockets.
To maintain some continuity, they re-signed Jaxson Hayes and added Jake LaRavia from Sacramento.
The balance between win-now moves and long-term planning is delicate, and with James nearing 40, time is no longer on his side.
A quiet summer, for now
James has chosen to stay relatively silent about his decision.
He notably declined an interview request during a Summer League appearance, instead telling ESPN’s Dave McMenamin off-camera, “I ain't got nothing to talk about.” This refusal to speak has only fuelled further curiosity about his long-term intentions.
Meanwhile, the presence of Bronny James on a four-year deal with a team option in the 2027/28 season adds another layer of intrigue.
The possibility of LeBron extending his career to play alongside his son has been well documented and may influence future decisions just as strongly as championship aspirations.
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What comes next?
James’ current contract gives him some control, including a no-trade clause that allows him to influence any potential deal.
However, the combination of his massive salary and the league’s tightening financial rules makes any move complicated.
If the Lakers find themselves struggling by the midpoint of the season, conversations around trading James could resurface, especially if they aim to free up cap space for next summer.
Dallas, for now, remains a fantasy pairing.
The Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic and bolstered by Irving and Flagg, may still be on James' radar if conditions change. But as things stand, the most likely scenario is that James begins the season in purple and gold.
With every decision he makes, James is weighing legacy, family, and the elusive chase for one more ring.
The Mavericks may have been tempting, but for now, the King remains in Los Angeles. Whether that changes before the trade deadline is a question that will linger all season.
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