Getty Lakers forward LeBron James rallies during introductions before a game with the Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena. Veteran forward LeBron James seriously considered joining the Dallas Mavericks before opting into $52.6 million player option to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season, per The Athletic’s John Hollinger. According to Hollinger, the complications of the NBA’s new CBA — which prevented the Mavericks from offering him more than a taxpayer MLE — ultimately led to