Text claims LeBron James has been traded to the Mavericks; But is it real? [PHOTO]

Anonymous Message Sparks LeBron James Trade Frenzy

A viral screenshot from an X post is sending NBA fans into a frenzy. The image — a cropped iMessage text from a contact saved as “AD” — claims that LeBron James has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The message, timestamped at 11:20 p.m., reads:

“LeBron James is being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The deal isn’t public yet. No Shams tweet. But behind the scenes it’s done. LeBron. AD. Kyrie. The league is about to be flipped upside down.”

The post, shared by X user @winigoat7 this morning (July 15, 2025), racked up over 27,000 likes and nearly 4 million views in under 24 hours. The account, which identifies as a Mavericks fan and Kyrie Irving supporter, added the caption: “Mavs Fc.. Stay tuned in.”

But is it true?

Rumor vs. Reality

Despite the post’s explosive reach, there has been no confirmation from reputable insiders like Shams Charania or Adrian Wojnarowski. LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season on June 30. He has made no public statements indicating he wants out of Los Angeles. His agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, released a statement at the time reiterating LeBron’s focus on “competing for championships” but acknowledged the Lakers were “shifting toward long-term planning.”

That subtle tension, combined with the Lakers’ February blockbuster trade that brought Luka Dončić to Los Angeles and sent Anthony Davis to Dallas, has left the door open to speculation.

Still, this latest “leak” looks more like wishful thinking than a legitimate scoop.

Screenshot Speculation: A Modern NBA Phenomenon

Anonymous screenshots have become a new kind of offseason bait — designed to mimic leaked texts or insider messages. Fans use these as vehicles to float dream scenarios or troll rival fanbases. This particular post has all the usual signals:

• No source verification.
• Claims the deal is “done” but not public.
• Direct mention that Shams Charania hasn’t tweeted it (implying anticipation of confirmation).
• Buzzwords like “flipped upside down” to build hype.

Yet every major NBA insider has remained silent. ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Report — no one has confirmed the report. In fact, recent coverage by ESPN emphasized that while teams like the Mavericks, Clippers, Cavaliers, and Warriors have inquired about LeBron’s availability, nothing has moved past the exploratory phase.

LeBron + AD + Kyrie: The Superteam That Keeps Fans Dreaming

The fantasy of reuniting LeBron James with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving — all on one team — has long intrigued NBA fans. The trio last played together in different configurations: LeBron and Kyrie famously won the 2016 championship with the Cavaliers, while LeBron and AD delivered a title to the Lakers in the 2020 bubble.

Now, with Anthony Davis playing in Dallas and Kyrie still under contract, the idea of LeBron joining them makes for an irresistible hypothetical. Add in Cooper Flagg — Dallas’ prized rookie sensation — and fans envision a team that could dominate the Western Conference.

Social Media Reactions: Hype, Humor, and Trolling

The rumor’s virality comes not from credibility, but from its shock value. Reactions have ranged from excitement to disbelief to mockery.

• “LeBron, AD, Kyrie. League is about to be flipped upside down,” wrote @newbmewn, echoing the original post.
• “Blocked if trolling,” replied @MVPSGA.
• “Expect further updates to be tweeted shortly,” @winigoat7 teased in follow-up replies, stoking the fire without delivering any receipts.

Parody accounts like @TheNBACentel and fake Shams impersonators flooded the thread with Photoshopped images and fabricated trade packages, adding to the chaos. Others referenced past leaks that turned out to be false — reminding fans to take such rumors with more than a grain of salt.

What the Experts Are Actually Saying

While fan buzz dominates the X timeline, here’s what actual reporters have said:

• Bleacher Report noted on July 8 that Dallas “has long maintained interest” in LeBron, particularly after trading for Davis.
• Lakers insider Jovan Buha confirmed that while LeBron remains committed to winning, no formal trade request has been made.
• ESPN reports said Dallas is more interested in a possible buyout scenario than a full trade, given their limited trade assets and salary cap hurdles.
• Betting odds list the Mavericks as a top destination if LeBron does request a trade, but that’s purely speculative.

Crucially, LeBron has a no-trade clause — meaning he must approve any deal.

Screenshot Origins: Troll or Tip?

The text’s sender is listed as “AD,” which many believe is a nod to Anthony Davis. But others argue that it could simply be a fan trolling for engagement. Without metadata or context, the image provides no tangible proof that a deal has been finalized or even discussed.

And the sender claiming, “No Shams tweet,” unintentionally highlights the biggest red flag: if this were real, Shams or Woj would have broken it.

As @AskPerplexity posted: “This screenshot is likely just a rumor or a fake ‘leak.’ There’s no credible evidence of a LeBron trade to the Mavericks.”

Final Word: Don’t Hold Your Breath

Could LeBron James be traded? Sure — he’s 40, nearing the end of his career, and the Lakers have clearly pivoted to Luka Dončić’s timeline. But is he actually going to the Mavericks? There’s zero confirmation.

It signaled a pivot from LeBron’s win-now timeline to a longer-term project centered on youth and a slower rebuild. LeBron, who turns 41 in December, doesn’t have time for long-term plans. His legacy is cemented, but his hunger to contend hasn’t wavered — he’s still producing at an elite level, and according to Rich Paul, he’s “solely focused on competing for championships in his final years.”

That disconnect — between the Lakers’ patience and LeBron’s urgency — opens the door for real friction. If LeBron begins to feel the franchise isn’t moving fast enough or building the right pieces around him, a trade request becomes less far-fetched.

Dallas makes sense on paper. He has chemistry with both Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, and the Mavericks’ front office has shown it isn’t afraid to chase stars. Pairing those three with Cooper Flagg, the most hyped rookie since Victor Wembanyama, would create a media and basketball storm unlike anything the league has seen in years. It would give LeBron one last superteam run — and possibly the best shot at ring number five.

But in practice, it’s a nightmare to pull off.

For now, fans will have to settle for memes, hypothetical trade machines, and viral screenshots. Until someone like Shams, Woj, or ESPN drops the bomb, this LeBron-to-Dallas narrative is pure speculation — expertly packaged, but empty in substance.