NBA Insider Reveals Four Teams That Tried Trading for LeBron James

Nick Pedone|published: Sun 13th July, 15:18 2025

Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

During Sunday’s NBA Summer League game between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin revealed that four teams reached out to Rich Paul about trying to trade for LeBron James.

Of course, this lit the internet on fire. Late hours Saturday night and early hours Sunday morning were spent trying to speculate which four teams could have reached out to James’ representatives to try to orchestrate a trade for arguably the greatest player of all time.

On Sunday afternoon, NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson revealed which four teams inquired, putting an end to the speculation.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Photo: Nick Wass/ [object Object]

A potential reunion with the Cavs just makes way too much sense.

Even after their blockbuster trade for Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs have struggled to advance further than the Eastern Conference semifinals. They have been starved for a good wing since James departed in 2018.

Inserting James into a young nucleus of Mitchell and Evan Mobley would make the Cavs runaway favorites to win the Eastern Conference, which James dominated for years before signing with the Lakers.

Los Angeles Clippers

Mar 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue at a press conference at the Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Arguably the most fascinating team to reach out to Paul about a trade for James would be the Clippers.

Maybe they are finally sick of playing second fiddle to the Lakers in Hollywood.

We know that James and his family enjoy life in Los Angeles. His business ventures are there. A trade to the other L.A.-based team would send shockwaves through the basketball universe.

Dallas Mavericks

Apr 18, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Mavericks landing Cooper Flagg after trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers is enough good fortune, is it not?

James could reunite with Kyrie Irving in Dallas. Boy, did they make sweet music together during their three seasons in Cleveland, which resulted in nothing less than the NBA Finals.

James, Irving and a reunion with Anthony Davis would be intriguing for the Mavericks, who told their fans they are in “win-now mode” after trading away Doncic.

Golden State Warriors

Jan 4, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates a turnover by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

This one might seem wrong because of James’ great rivalry with the Warriors for several years. But we saw just how much fun he had playing alongside Stephen Curry in the Olympics last summer.

Not to mention, Paul also represents Draymond Green, who has a noted friendship with James. The Warriors also added Jimmy Butler, who really helped Golden State during the second half of the season.

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