In 2020, LeBron James and Anthony Davis began their partnership, creating the perfect combination that led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA championship that year. However, in the following seasons, they failed to repeat that success. Only in 2023 did they advance past the first round of the playoffs, reaching the Western Conference Finals. Now, speculation about a new move for the franchise is growing.
In February 2025, the NBA world was shocked when Luka Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. This move, in many ways, marked the end of the James-Davis era.
Will we see the James-Davis duo on the court again?
According to Mundo Deportivo, that acquisition raised expectations among Lakers and NBA fans. However, the lineup failed to deliver the expected results, and the team was eliminated in the first round.
Since then, LeBron James has shown signs of discontent, sending indirect messages that fueled rumors about his potential NBA exit. These rumors intensified when his agency released a statement: “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future.”
The Lakers star decided to enjoy the summer in his own way, taking an offseason different from previous ones.
Speculation about him moving to another team continues to grow. However, at this stage, a trade seems nearly impossible. The chances of the King playing for the Lakers in the 2025-26 season are very high. After that, he might not seek a move in free agency — he could retire from professional basketball altogether.
If a future change happens, the Dallas Mavericks would be the most likely destination. In fact, LeBron and Davis’s actions this week fueled even more intrigue. Both players shared on Instagram a motivational post from coach Jay Shetty, hinting that the King might be ready for a change.
