The Dallas Mavericks could reuinte Anthony Davis with Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James.
Mavericks Named Favorites to Land LeBron James After Coaching News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Ever since the trade that sent Luka Doncic to LA, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers have remained two of the NBA’s most talked-about teams. Since then, Dallas has wasted no time transforming its roster into a true contender, pairing Anthony Davis with Kyrie Irving and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. On the other hand, the Lakers’ biggest storyline this summer has centered around LeBron James and whether he’ll remain in Los Angeles beyond next season.
Rumors about James’ future have only grown louder since his agent, Rich Paul, made it clear to ESPN that the four-time MVP still wants to compete for championships in the final stretch of his career. That sparked speculation linking him to several teams that could maximize his title window — with Dallas emerging as a particularly intriguing fit.
On Tuesday, that narrative picked up even more steam when Bovada Sportsbook released updated odds naming the Mavericks as the current favorites to land James if he leaves LA, with Dallas now sitting at +125.
The Miami Heat (+500) and Cleveland Cavaliers (+550) follow as the next likeliest destinations. The Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks were also listed as more distant possibilities.
The Dallas Mavericks are the new favorites to land LeBron James, per @BovadaOfficial
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 15, 2025
Dallas Mavericks (+125)
Miami Heat (+500)
Cleveland Cavaliers (+550)
Golden State Warriors (+600)
New York Knicks (+800) pic.twitter.com/mWDSlpVsgV
This update comes just days after the latest coaching update in Dallas. Last week, NBA insider Marc Stein revealed that Phil Handy — a highly respected former Lakers assistant coach — has agreed to join Jason Kidd’s staff in Dallas, alongside Popeye Jones. Both Kidd and Handy were on the Lakers’ bench when they won the 2020 championship, and are two people that know a thing or two about working with James.
Moreso, if James were to join the Mavericks, he’d not only link up again with trusted voices on the sidelines but also reunite with Irving and Davis — two stars with whom he’s shared iconic championship runs in 2016 and 2020, respectively. It goes without saying that the pieces are lining up for Dallas to make an all-in push for a championship next season — and for James to play alongside a core that’s ready to win now.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
