Warriors, Mavs, Cavs & Clippers reportedly eyeing LeBron James trade

Warriors, Mavs, Cavs & Clippers Trying to Trade for LeBron James

Speculation about LeBron James’ future in the NBA is once again dominating offseason headlines. According to veteran NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, four teams—the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers—have reportedly reached out to Rich Paul, James’ longtime agent at Klutch Sports, to express interest in acquiring the 40-year-old superstar via trade from the Los Angeles Lakers.

This report arrives in the wake of James exercising his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, a move that kept him under contract with the Lakers while leaving the door open for further maneuvering. While neither James nor his representation has formally requested a trade, Paul released a statement clarifying that James still “wants to compete for a championship” and would be open to options that “prioritize winning now.”

Lakers Pivot to Luka Doncic Era

Adding to the intrigue is the Lakers’ recent decision to pivot toward the future. At the February 2025 trade deadline, the team sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić, signaling a long-term shift toward a youth-driven rebuild. With Dončić as the centerpiece and James entering his 22nd season, questions have naturally surfaced about the veteran’s role on a team not immediately built to contend.

Though Rich Paul has reiterated there have been “no substantive conversations” about James leaving, NBA teams are known to informally check availability through agents—particularly in high-stakes situations involving no-trade clauses. In James’ case, any potential trade would require his personal approval.

Why These Four Teams?

Each of the reported suitors makes sense in its own way, blending strategic fit with personal ties to James:

• Golden State Warriors: Long rumored to be intrigued by the idea of pairing James with Stephen Curry, the Warriors reportedly made an inquiry at the 2024 deadline. Adding James could rejuvenate their core for one final title run, but matching salaries would be complex, potentially requiring Jimmy Butler as part of the deal. As a second-apron team, the Warriors would also face major roster-building limitations.
• Dallas Mavericks: A potential reunion with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis—both already on the Mavericks’ roster—adds spice to the idea. The team also drafted Cooper Flagg, providing long-term upside. But the Mavs may lack sufficient trade assets, and their depth is already thin following the blockbuster Dončić acquisition.
• Los Angeles Clippers: Staying in L.A. would benefit James’ family and business interests. On the court, he could be a strong complement to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. However, intra-city trades are rare, and the Lakers may be reluctant to boost a rival. Salary matching would be tough, likely involving key contributors like Norman Powell.
• Cleveland Cavaliers: A potential homecoming for James, who led the Cavs to their only championship in 2016. The current team, featuring Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, won 64 games last season but disappointed in the playoffs. Despite emotional appeal, Cleveland’s cap situation is tight, and recent reports suggest the team is “not that interested.”

No Trade Request, But Smoke Builds

Despite the rumors, it’s worth emphasizing that James has not asked to be traded. In addition, the Lakers have not made him available. That hasn’t stopped fans and pundits from speculating. On July 13, graphics imagining James in different uniforms went viral on X (formerly Twitter), with aggregator accounts like @PlayoffLAL and @RTNBA driving conversation. One post featuring James in Warriors, Mavericks, Clippers, and Cavaliers jerseys racked up thousands of likes and reposts within hours.

Meanwhile, James stayed coy during a July 13 appearance at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. There, he was seen courtside supporting his son, Bronny James. When asked about the rumors, LeBron simply said, “I ain’t got nothing to talk about.” Therefore, fueling further mystery about his future.

The Scoop B Effect

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, the reporter behind the latest flurry of trade rumors, is a longtime NBA journalist known for sourcing player and agent intel. He is not as widely cited as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski or The Athletic’s Shams Charania. However, Robinson has a history of breaking early stories—particularly those involving Klutch Sports clients like Kyrie Irving and James himself.

His July 13 post builds upon earlier speculation from June 30, when he hinted at James potentially joining the Mavericks after exercising his option. At the time, Rich Paul dismissed the rumors, insisting there were “no active discussions.” That hasn’t stopped teams from quietly laying groundwork. After all, in today’s NBA players and teams know to be prepared.

Could a Trade Actually Happen?

The likelihood of a James trade this offseason remains low. The Lakers still value his leadership, and a major shake-up would likely involve a multi-team deal to navigate salary matching and luxury tax constraints. The West is stacked. After all, Kevin Durant just joined the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the East is recovering from injuries to stars like Jayson Tatum. That could make a trade to an Eastern Conference contender, like the Cavaliers, more appealing from a competitive standpoint.

However, the Lakers appear focused on their future with Dončić. If no significant win-now moves materialize by training camp in September, the pressure could mount. For now, the situation remains fluid, with Rich Paul and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka holding the keys to any potential blockbuster.

Conclusion

As LeBron James enters his 23rd NBA season, the buzz around his potential departure from the Lakers is as much about legacy as it is about logistics. The fact that four franchises have reportedly inquired about his availability speaks volumes about his enduring value, even at age 40. First, there’s the Warriors hoping to pair him with Stephen Curry. Then, there’s the Mavericks dreaming of a superteam reunion with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. In addition, there’s the Cavaliers eyeing a fairytale homecoming. Finally, there are the Clippers plotting a city-stealing power play. So, James remains a coveted asset in a league shifting toward its next era.

But beyond the trade talk, the situation illustrates how uniquely influential LeBron still is. Few players have the power to shift a franchise’s direction overnight. However, James continues to shape the league’s landscape both on and off the court. His loyalty to the Lakers, his mentorship of Bronny, and his public silence amid the speculation are classic LeBron—strategic, deliberate, and always calculated.

Still, time is ticking. The Lakers’ decision to rebuild around Luka Dončić signals a new chapter in L.A., and if the franchise can’t present a clear path to contention, it’s only natural that LeBron’s team would explore alternatives. Whether the trade rumors are a smoke signal for the front office or genuine precursors to a blockbuster move remains to be seen.