The Lakers’ first-round exit in the 2025 playoffs kicked off an eventful offseason. Things hit another gear as free agency opened up.
To the surprise of many, superstar LeBron James exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season, uncharacteristically opting in for the final year of his deal instead of renegotiating a new contract. Accompanying James’ decision was a statement from his agent, Rich Paul, who hinted at the potential for change by saying, “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”
During the opening day of free agency, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin disclosed a conversation with Paul in which the agent said that four teams contacted him about a trade for James, though no ‘substantive’ conversations were held.
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Save for the sign-and-trade that facilitated his move to the Heat in 2010, James has never been traded in his NBA career. Paul’s statement, however, lends credence to the notion that a trade could end James’ tenure in Los Angeles after eight seasons.
If there are four inquiring teams, who would they be? And would a trade package for James look like? Here’s a closer look at who could offer the best package and how. And as a reminder, James has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he has the right to veto any deal he is involved in, which will almost certainly include his son.
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LeBron James trade packages
New York Knicks
- Lakers receive: O.G. Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Tyler Kolek
- Knicks receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
Why it makes sense for the Lakers: It’s a star-for-depth return.
L.A. loses James but gains two quality starters in Anunoby and Robinson, a center who would thrive alongside a playmaking guard like Doncic.
Anunoby fits the 3-and-D archetype to a T, and he is the type of player who can make up for some of Doncic’s deficiencies on the defensive end. More importantly, Anunoby was born in 1997 and Robinson was born in 1998, meaning the Lakers get significantly younger and prioritize the big picture.
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Why it makes sense for the Knicks: It may be 15 years later, but it puts an end to the “what if?” scenarios around James’ free agency from 2010.
James in the Mecca of Basketball is appointment viewing, and if there’s anyone built for that stage, it’s him.
Basketball-wise, the Knicks lean even further into having versatile wings, and James would get to play for his former head coach, Mike Brown, who was just reported to the heading to New York as well. He forms a high-IQ duo with Jalen Brunson and, again, New York would be making a calculated leap in a conference that is wide open.
The presence of Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart could still make for a crowded wing, but the Knicks would have flexibility to make a move for another big man to back up Towns. Although James would likely see some minutes at the 5, too.
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Dallas Mavericks
- Lakers receive: Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington
- Mavericks receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
Why it makes sense for the Lakers: They essentially become a different version of the Mavericks’ Finals team.
Doncic is at the forefront, and he is joined by his lob threat in Gafford, a perimeter defender in Martin, a sharpshooter in Thompson and a 3-and-D wing in Washington. If there’s a way to secure a long-term commitment from Doncic, it’s by adding more familiarity.
L.A. adds incredible depth, which was an issue for the franchise during recent shortcomings. The Lakers will also be an even more attractive destination for players looking to join in.
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Why it makes sense for the Mavericks: Dallas has so much depth that parting ways with four players does not alter its plan.
The Mavs would acquire a fourth former No. 1 overall pick in James, pairing him with two of his favorite former teammates in Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. Cooper Flagg would effectively become James’ heir apparent.
While they lose key players, the Mavs still have four former No. 1 picks, a rim-running center in Dereck Lively II, another guard in D’Angelo Russell and key wings in Naji Marshall and Max Christie. That’s a championship roster.
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Golden State Warriors
- Lakers receive: Jimmy Butler, Quinten Post
- Warriors receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
Why it makes sense for the Lakers: You get a star for a star.
Butler is not as young as he once was, but he showed just how malleable he is during the period in which he ingratiated himself with the Warriors in 2024-25. He’s got two years on his deal, meaning he’ll enter free agency when the Lakers are hoping to be a major player in 2027.
Post joins the deal as a sweetener to add frontcourt depth, but in Doncic and Butler, L.A. would have two of the league’s biggest postseason risers.
There may be a question of Butler’s adjustment to Doncic’s ball dominance but again, the malleability he displayed while playing in the Stephen Curry system should be enough to inspire confidence on that front.
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Why it makes sense for the Warriors: It pairs LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Enough said.
The duo has long teased the idea of playing together, and this is likely the final chance. If what they showed during the 2024 Olympics in Paris is any indicator, it would be scary for the rest of the league, even if Curry is 38 and James is 41.
Veterans would be knocking down the door to join Golden State on a minimum deal ,and the essential one-for-one nature of the swap maintains the rest of the roster’s integrity, meaning role guys can continue to thrive in their respective roles.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
- Lakers receive: TBD
- Cavaliers receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
Why it makes sense for the Lakers: Los Angeles needs a legitimate center, and any deal would most certainly include one in Allen. He fills the void of rim-protecting lob threat who thrives most alongside Doncic.
Essentially, the Lakers would replicate the formula that led to the Mavericks’ success during their run to the 2024 NBA Finals by adding perimeter defense and perimeter shooting.
This will go a long way in ensuring Doncic stays with the franchise long term. The package is listed as one to be determined because Cleveland would first have to complete a trade to shed salary and make a move for James.
Without that, there is no chance for a deal.
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Why it makes sense for the Cavaliers: Cleveland has come up short in the playoffs in recent years, and it has become increasingly evident that the team is missing an intangible factor.
James has that it factor. Adding that is massive in an Eastern Conference that is wide open.
Losing three key players hurts, but the Cavs maintain their core trio of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, all while not truly disrupting the structure of what has been built.
If it works, one more championship at home is a storybook ending to James’ career arc. If the team comes up short, James’ salary will come off the books much sooner than that of the players who were traded, giving the franchise flexibility to build around Garland, Mitchell and Mobley moving forward.
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