Dallas Mavericks stars make their LeBron James feelings known ahead of potential Lakers trade

Kyrie Irving has previously pushed the idea in private that the Dallas Mavericks should trade LeBron James from the LA Lakers in the off-season.

James has recently signed a two-year extension with the Lakers worth $104m but a switch to the Golden State Warriors to link up with Steph Curry has also been mooted.

However, Irving was once hot on the Mavs to trade with the Lakers that would see the 33-year-old and James reunite, at least that’s according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes back in 2023.

“A new twist has emerged in the LeBron James-Kyrie Irving reunion plot, as league sources have told Bleacher Report Irving wants the Dallas Mavericks to explore trading for LeBron James this offseason to create a Big 3 alongside himself and Luka Doncic,” Haynes wrote at the time.

Meanwhile, Mavs center Anthony Davis’ comments on James earlier in the year will only stoke the flames of the NBA’s all-time point scorer moving to Dallas. AD admitted in March that he is keeping personal ties with James warm, which would heighten speculation over a potential switch.

LeBron James dribbles as Anthony Davis tries to defend / Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Davis keeping personal ties with James warm

“We still talk to those guys. I’ve been with [James] the longest, six-and-a-half years. We’ve been really close, but nothing has changed,” Davis is quoted as saying by Clutch Points earlier this year.

“Obviously, we don’t talk hang like we used to just because of the teams and stuff. But I’m sure we will get together over this summer and try to figure it out.”

Mavs star Klay Thompson also spoke of James’ greatness back in January after he hit his 16,000th career point.

Thompson has bounced-back impressively to two previously-career ending injuries to reach the incredible achievement.

Mavs star Klay Thompson in action against the Toronto Raptors / Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Thompson praise for NBA icon

However, while it’s an incredible milestone for the 35-year-old, he quickly pointed out James’ incredible haul in NBA.

"It's cool, but it makes you realise how ridiculous it is that LeBron has 40,000. That's insane.

"It's cool. Any time you do something like that in the NBA it's a special moment,” Thompson is quoted as saying by SI.

The Mavs are looking to land a superstar player following Luka Doncic’s trade to the Lakers earlier this year.

And while nobody has publicly backed the Mavs’ potential move for the 41-year-old icon, current Dallas Mavericks personnel have praised James to suggest a deal may be possible.

The Mavericks, however, would only be interested in James in a buyout situation, at least that’s according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.