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Dallas Mavericks Among Top Teams on LeBron James Next Team Odds

Jake RogersJuly 14, 2025July 14, 2025no comment

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Los Angeles Clippers

Nick White/DallasHoopsJournal.com

LeBron James will enter the 2025–26 NBA season under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after exercising his $52.6 million player option. However, that hasn’t stopped sportsbooks from posting odds on where the NBA’s all-time leading scorer will log his first regular-season minute.

According to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lakers are the heavy favorites at -1000, reflecting James’ current status with the franchise and a renewed commitment following a busy offseason. The Lakers recently added Deandre Ayton to help address the center position and take pressure off of James and Luka Dončić.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are listed as the most likely non-Lakers destination at +500. As James’s hometown team, the Cavaliers maintain ties to him. With a strong young core led by Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland remains a theoretical option should his situation shift unexpectedly.

The Dallas Mavericks follow closely at +1000, ranking third on the board after drafting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. While James joining Dallas via trade remains highly unlikely, the Mavericks’ ambitious offseason has helped boost their odds in speculative markets. The foundation of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Flagg, along with a supporting cast that includes Klay Thompson, P.J. Washigton, Dereck Lively II, D’Angelo Russell, Naji Marshall, and Max Christie, among others, has drawn attention, especially with Dallas positioning itself as a win-now contender once healthy.

Despite the odds, there’s little indication of movement behind the scenes. As previously reported by DallasHoopsJournal.com, league sources continue to downplay any serious traction involving a James-to-Dallas trade scenario, with one describing the notion of a trade as “total nonsense.” James’ contract and the Lakers’ intent to compete make a buyout scenario equally far-fetched.

The top five includes the Golden State Warriors at +1200 and the Phoenix Suns at +1800. Golden State’s veteran core and championship pedigree keep them in the conversation. At the same time, Phoenix has reshaped its roster through a multi-team trade, sending away Durant, and is seeking a rebound season.

For now, the Lakers are firmly expected to retain James as they prepare for what could be his final NBA campaign. The speculative odds may invite intrigue, but league insiders suggest the most likely outcome is already in place.