LeBron James would have to force a trade to the Dallas Mavericks
Here’s the bottom line with the difficulty in thinking that LeBron James could seemingly end up with the Mavericks at some point this offseason – he’s not a free agent this summer. He is under contract through the 2023-24 season. After that, he could then opt out of the final year of his contract with the Lakers. Until then, if he is going to pick a new team, it will have to come through a trade. In other words, if LeBron is going to find his way to Dallas, it will have to come via a trade demand.
Interestingly, out of everything that LeBron has done throughout his career, demanding a trade is not one of them. In every power move that we’ve seen LeBron make, he’s done so through free agency. Would he resort to this move this late in his career? There’s just something that doesn’t sit right with that scenario.
I don’t believe that LeBron would pull that move. If he wanted to, he could’ve done so earlier in his career. If he asks for a trade and the Lakers say no, then what? Quite frankly, I don’t believe that’s a place where LeBron wants to find himself.
I have to see it to believe it but I simply don’t see LeBron demanding a trade at this stage in his career.