Throughout Sunday’s NBA Summer time League sport between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin revealed that 4 groups reached out to Wealthy Paul about attempting to commerce for LeBron James.
After all, this lit the web on hearth. Late hours Saturday evening and early hours Sunday morning had been spent attempting to take a position which 4 groups may have reached out to James’ representatives to attempt to orchestrate a commerce for arguably the best participant of all time.
On Sunday afternoon, NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson revealed which 4 groups inquired, placing an finish to the hypothesis.
Cleveland Cavaliers
![Photo: Nick Wass/ [object Object]](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1752434100112)
Picture: Nick Wass/ [object Object] A possible reunion with the Cavs simply makes manner an excessive amount of sense.
Even after their blockbuster commerce for Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs have struggled to advance additional than the Jap Convention semifinals. They’ve been starved for a great wing since James departed in 2018.
Inserting James right into a younger nucleus of Mitchell and Evan Mobley would make the Cavs runaway favorites to win the Jap Convention, which James dominated for years earlier than signing with the Lakers.
Los Angeles Clippers
Mar 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue at a press convention on the Intuit Dome. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos Arguably probably the most fascinating group to succeed in out to Paul a couple of commerce for James can be the Clippers.
Perhaps they’re lastly sick of enjoying second fiddle to the Lakers in Hollywood.
We all know that James and his household get pleasure from life in Los Angeles. His enterprise ventures are there. A commerce to the opposite L.A.-based group would ship shockwaves via the basketball universe.
Dallas Mavericks
Apr 18, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Dallas Mavericks ahead Anthony Davis (3) dribbles in the course of the second quarter in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Obligatory Credit score: Petre Thomas-Imagn Photos The Mavericks touchdown Cooper Flagg after buying and selling Luka Doncic to the Lakers is sufficient luck, is it not?
James may reunite with Kyrie Irving in Dallas. Boy, did they make candy music collectively throughout their three seasons in Cleveland, which resulted in nothing lower than the NBA Finals.
James, Irving and a reunion with Anthony Davis can be intriguing for the Mavericks, who instructed their followers they’re in “win-now mode” after buying and selling away Doncic.
Golden State Warriors
Jan 4, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors ahead Draymond Inexperienced (23) celebrates a turnover by the Memphis Grizzlies within the first quarter at Chase Middle. Obligatory Credit score: David Gonzales-Imagn Photos This one might sound unsuitable due to James’ nice rivalry with the Warriors for a number of years. However we noticed simply how a lot enjoyable he had enjoying alongside Stephen Curry within the Olympics final summer season.
To not point out, Paul additionally represents Draymond Inexperienced, who has a famous friendship with James. The Warriors additionally added Jimmy Butler, who actually helped Golden State in the course of the second half of the season.
