LeBron James to Dallas? How King James could end up with the Mavericks next summer

Could LeBron James join Luka Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks next summer?

James just signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers in 2022, but he has a player option in the summer of 2024, which he could easily opt out of if his current team is not playing up to his championship standard.

Could next season be King James' last with the Lakers? Could he be a Dallas Maverick in July of 2024?

LeBron James to Dallas? How King James could end up with the Mavericks next summer

ESPN's Brian Windhorst told Fanatics View on March 5 that he "wouldn't rule anything out" in regard to his thoughts about James joining Doncic in Dallas at some point in his career.

Although Windhorst began by saying that he "doesn't think that he (James) wants to leave LA," anything can happen in this league. James has signed with a new team three times in free agency during his career (going to Miami, back to Cleveland, and to Los Angeles in the summer of 2018) and could be looking to play elsewhere after next season.

If the Lakers don't make a deep playoff run this season or next season, James could want out.

It's inevitable that James wants to contend for a championship, and it would be bad news for the Lakers if they miss the playoffs again this year. It would put pressure on Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' staff to revamp the team to help them contend in a year that could potentially be James' last in Los Angeles.

James would be a 40-year-old free agent if he decides to opt out in the summer of 2024, but the NBA's all-time leading scorer has shown no signs of slowing down. James is averaging over 29 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists per game this season for the Lakers.

If James decides to leave Los Angeles, Dallas could be one of his top destinations.

"I think that he (James) has a great respect for Luka and he has appreciated him for a long time."

- Brian Windhorst

James drafted Doncic in four-straight NBA All-Star Game drafts and the two always seem to chat it up and share a laugh when they see each other. James has also publicly stated that Doncic is his favorite player in the league and who wouldn't want to play with their favorite player?

But what makes this situation next summer even more intriguing is that Doncic feels the same way about James. At Mavericks Media Day in 2018, Doncic said that James was his favorite player growing up and was his "idol."

A duo of James and Doncic would be one of the best in the league, or even of all time. But the possibilities don't end there. If the Mavericks re-sign Kyrie Irving to a long-term contract this summer that would give James another reason to come to Dallas.

Brad Townsend reported that one of the reason that the Mavericks brought in Irving was "his proven track record of recruiting star teammates."

Could Irving helping recruit James to Dallas have been the plan all along?

LeBron and Kyrie played together for four seasons in Cleveland and won an NBA championship in 2016. Their chemistry together was spectacular and each player brought the best out of the other.

James even talked about being upset that the Lakers weren't able to trade for Irving at this year's trade deadline in an exclusive interview with ESPN's Michael Wilbon.

"It was definitely disappointing. I can't sit here and say that I'm not disappointed on being able to land such a talent but someone I had great chemistry with. And know I have great chemistry with on the floor that can help you win championships."

- LeBron James

A future big three of Donic, Irving, and James would have the NBA world in shambles as this would undeniably be the best big three of all-time on paper.

The Dallas Mavericks would be a matchup nightmare against anyone in the league, and it would be must-watch television every time they take the floor if they can re-sign Irving and add James next summer.

Although this is all hypothetical, the LeBron James to Dallas rumors will only intensify if the Mavericks re-sign Kyrie. James would have the chance to play with his favorite player in Doncic, a player that he has extraordinary chemistry with in Irving, and have a shot to become the only player in NBA history to win a championship with four different teams.