The Dallas Mavericks stunned the NBA when they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2024-25 trade deadline, and they could shock the league once again.
The Mavericks lucked out this summer, receiving the No. 1 overall pick and selecting Cooper Flagg to add alongside Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively. With a new era in place and a win-now mindset, the Mavericks could shake things up and make another blockbuster trade in 2025-26.
While it seems very unlikely to happen, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report recently compiled a massive five-team mock trade that would land the Mavericks LeBron James.
Here’s Pincus’ proposed trade:
Mavericks receive: LeBron James, Bronny James, Andre Jackson Jr., Tyler Smith, Drew Timme
Bucks receive: RJ Barrett, P.J. Washington, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, $2 million trade exception (Tyler Smith), 2026 first-round pick swap (LAL), 2026 second-round pick (LAL via TOR), 2028 first-round pick swap (LAL), 2030 first-round pick swap (LAL), 2031 first-round pick (LAL), 2032 first-round pick swap (LAL)
Lakers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Tyrese Martin, $4 million trade exception (Dalton Knecht), $2 million trade exception (Bronny James)
Raptors receive: Daniel Gafford, $13.3 million trade exception (RJ Barrett)
Nets receive: Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, Dwight Powell
With Flagg now on the roster, the Mavericks would be acquiring James for depth pieces — none of whom are expected to start this season. Gafford, Washington and Marshall are talented players, but adding James could immediately catapult the Mavericks into title contention in a stacked Western Conference.
MORE: NBA writer links Mavericks to two 7-footers for final roster spot
If James approved and waived his no-trade clause, a reunion with Irving and Davis would be an intriguing storyline in what could be James’ final season. Meanwhile, the Lakers would move on from the LeBron era by forming a trio of Antetokounmpo, Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The Bucks appear extremely unlikely to move Antetokounmpo, but this deal could provide a path to rebuild if the two-time MVP ultimately requests a trade.
This trade is certainly an intriguing concept, albeit one that seems nearly impossible to materialize.
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