LeBron James will finally play with dream team-mate as NBA insider tips legend for shock trade

LeBron James could finally play with his dream team-mate in the NBA as the 2025/26 season draws nearer.

After eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers, James decided to pick up his player option worth up to $52.5 million to play for the franchise for another season.

Despite opting in to his contract to play in the NBA for a 23rd year, his agent Rich Paul indicated that James is keeping his options open beyond then.

His deal expires on June 30, by which stage he will become a free agent.

ESPN reported that James wasn't given advance notice by the Lakers about several major trades, including that of Anthony Davis - unlike star team-mate Luka Doncic.

Paul also claimed that the Lakers hadn't engaged in 'substantial discussions' with the NBA legend over a contract extension before he picked up his player option.

Should James decide to stay in the NBA, therefore, he will almost certainly move to another franchise.

He has been heavily linked with a potential move to Dallas Mavericks, while ESPN anchor Stephen A. Smith has claimed he should switch to Cleveland Cavaliers.

"He'd have a better chance to winning the championship in Cleveland than he would in L.A."@stephenasmith feels LeBron should end his career in Cleveland 👀 pic.twitter.com/bUmtsDNJmI

— First Take (@FirstTake) August 8, 2025

But an anonymous NBA executive has 'no doubt' that a third franchise will make a stunning move for James - Golden State Warriors.

The executive told Ashish Mathur of DallasHoopsJournal: "Cleveland, Dallas and Golden State, those are the three teams I'm looking at.

"All three would have loved to trade for him this offseason, but he never requested a trade and he makes way too much money.

"Once he's on the open market, those three will court him. I have no doubt in my mind."

A move to Golden State would see James team up with fellow NBA icon Steph Curry.

The pair have never been on the same team in the NBA, but were part of the US Olympic team that won gold at Paris 2024.

On an episode of 'The Shop', the 40-year-old was once asked which basketball star he would most like to play alongside in the NBA - and his response spoke volumes.

"Steph Curry's the one that I wanna play with for sure, in today's game," James said.

"I love everything about that guy. Lethal. When he gets out his car, you better guard him right from the moment he pulls up to the arena. You might wanna guard him when he gets out of the bed, swear to god. He's serious."