The Lakers attitude towards James is exposed! It is not ruled out that they will go to the Knicks in the future. The Mavericks only want to sign him for a minimum salary?

On July 27, according to famous reporter Stein, the Lakers hope that James' contract will be removed from the team's salary book after the end of next season. James will earn $52.6 million next season, which is also the last year of his contract. Stein said that the Mavericks are not interested in trading James, and may only consider signing him with a basic salary. Stein also said that the possibility of James playing in the Knicks in the future cannot be ruled out.

James ushered in the last season of his Lakers' career?

"I believe that as August approaches, James will be playing his eighth Lakers training camp in a row at the end of September, which will be the longest consecutive period of his long GOAT career with the same team," Stein wrote. "He did not ask for a deal or a buyout this offseason. He certainly knew that demanding a deal or a buyout would not necessarily ensure that either of these two situations would become a reality."

"I think this prediction is correct, because James' understanding of the dynamics of the league is no less than anything else. A player. And I think he knows deep down that it’s no longer a threat to say he’ll leave the Lakers next summer. Every team he’s played for has been worried about it for the first 22 seasons of his career, but the Lakers’ general preference for their future is to let James’ contract disappear from the salary book after the end of the 2025-26 season. If you read Ritchie Paul’s statement when announcing the player option decision, you’ll find that it essentially hints that.”

{1 Doncic recruited DeAndre Aiton and Marcus Smart this offseason, while Austin Reeves recruited Jack Laravia. Doncic is only 26 years old. As the NBA's historical scoring champion, James will turn 41 in December. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game for the Lakers, shooting 51.3% from the field, 37.6% from three-pointers and 78.2% from free throws.

It is reported that Lakers coach Redick is expected to start Doncic, Reeves, Hachimura Ai, James and Ayton next season, which is likely to be James' last season with the Lakers.

The Mavericks are only willing to sign him with a basic salary?

For the Mavericks, James is overpaid.

"As I've been reporting for weeks: they (the Mavericks) didn't try to get him, and if that means giving up multiple rotation players in exchange for a player who will turn 41 in December, they don't want to try," Stein wrote. "If James suddenly becomes a free agent, they can sign him with a basic salary, that's another matter. I firmly believe that in that case, they'll want to get him."

"But who would really expect this to happen? James was just selected for the second team of the All-Star team last season. Do you think the Lakers will give up on this season and buy him out in August or September to get James to join Dallas, Golden State or New York? I don't think so."

James has many connections with the Mavericks. He has played side by side with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell, and has also been coached by Phil Handy and Jason Kidd.

The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers last season in exchange for Davis and Max Christie. After reaching the finals in 2024, the Mavericks failed to enter the playoffs last season.

Stein believes that James is "really a little curious" about what it would be like to play for the Mavericks.

"I believe James is indeed a little curious about playing in Dallas, and know that his off-court life in Los Angeles is very stable. This has been the main residence of his family for the past seven years, and he is building a new home in Beverly Hills. At this stage of his life and career, playing elsewhere is likely to require a foothold that provides a special comfort to get him out of it all."

does not rule out the possibility of playing in the Knicks

Stein also said that he "never rule out" James's possibility of playing for the New York Knicks.

James loves Madison Square Garden, and Knicks president Leon Rose was his agent before Ritchie Paul took over.

"I think James' love for playing in Madison Square Garden is well known, so it's unwise to say he'll never be a part of the Knicks," Stein wrote. "Given the historical origins between the James team and the Knicks' management, where James' former partners Leon Ross and William Wesley, I think it's hard to tell if the Knicks are willing to bring him in, but I just want to say: I'll never rule out the possibility of the No. 23 jersey being in the Knicks one day. Because he is said to love the stadium so much."

In 2010, when James was a full free agent, he met with the Knicks. But in the end he chose to sign with the Heat.

The new Knicks head coach Mike Brown has coached James with the Cleveland Cavaliers. James won't play for New York next season, but he will be a free agent for the first time since 2018 in the 2026 offseason, and may be interested in signing with the Knicks if he doesn't choose to retire.