Where Will LeBron Play Next Season: Betting Odds and Predictions

Dallas Mavericks (+250)

Dallas was widely, and rightfully, mocked for trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers last season. The Mavericks lucked out by landing the top pick in the 2025 Draft and selected Cooper Flagg.

Now, NBA betting sites list Dallas as the +250 favorite to be LeBron’s next team.

DEVELOPING: There’s been “buzz” about LeBron signing with Dallas, Jovan Buha says 👀

“There has been some buzz I will say in the general NBA ether over the last week or two with LeBron and Dallas… If he does ask out… I would say keep an eye on Dallas…” pic.twitter.com/WKpCiJw3v4

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) June 30, 2025

Forcing his way to Dallas would reunite LeBron with two of his former co-stars: Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. Davis was sent to the Mavericks as part of the Luka trade. Kyrie, on the other hand, last played with LeBron in 2017, but forced his way out of Cleveland.

Irving will miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season. However, in theory, LeBron and AD could help nurture Cooper Flagg and still compete for a playoff spot in the West.

There is a difference between making the playoffs and being a true title contender, though. LeBron did win a title with AD, but the duo struggled to make deep playoff runs in the tough Western Conference.

LeBron would align with the Mavericks’ “win-now” timeline outlined after the Luka trade. On the other hand, Dallas would need to give away much of its depth and a lot of draft capital to land James and his massive contract, worth over 50 million in 2025-26.

Cleveland Cavaliers (+400)

Moving back to the Eastern Conference would significantly increase LeBron’s chances of making the Finals and winning another championship. Injuries and an overall talent discrepancy have made the East the weaker of the two conferences.

The team with the best odds to land LeBron in the East is Cleveland. LeBron is from Akron, and the Cavaliers are his hometown team. Also, returning to the team that drafted him would be a fitting end to LeBron’s career.

Cleveland had the best record in the East last season but fell to the Pacers in the second round. Indiana is unlikely to contend next season after Tyrese Haliburton’s injury. Likewise, Boston, which was the title favorite in the East, also faces an uphill battle to compete next year after Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles.

Bringing LeBron back for a third stint in The Land could be a win-win for both sides. James would make the Cavs the favorite to win the conference, and the Lakers could load up on young talent to build around Doncic.

The Cavs would have to commit serious resources, including Darius Garland, to acquire James. Cleveland is already a second-apron team, and going all-in for James could derail the team for years afterward.

However, the storyline might be too appealing to ignore, so Cleveland looks like a legit option for LeBron.

Golden State Warriors (+500)

Moving to LA allowed LeBron to grow his media empire in California even further. If he decides to leave the Lakers but wants to stay in California, then the best option is to join the Golden State Warriors. The top offshore sportsbooks list Golden State at 5-1 odds to trade for LeBron.

The Warriors beat LeBron in three of their four Finals matchups. However, their last meeting was nearly a decade ago. Joining Golden State would allow James to play with Steph Curry and could be the best chance for both future Hall of Famers to win another ring.

Most 15–point quarters in the Finals, since 2000:

1. Stephen Curry – 9
2. LeBron James – 7
3. Kobe Bryant – 5
4. Shaquille O'Neal – 4
5. 4 tied – 3

Steph's done this at least once in each of his six Finals appearances 🤯 pic.twitter.com/s9Mn1gZM6d

— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) June 17, 2025

From a basketball standpoint, joining the Warriors makes a lot of sense for LeBron. The team is loaded with veterans and Curry would limit the offensive load on James’s shoulders.

However, like Cleveland, the Warriors would need to move a lot of pieces to trade for LeBron. Golden State can offer picks and some young players, but it would also need to trade Jimmy Butler to another team.

Finding a team to take on Butler’s contract is easier said than done, but it won’t be impossible. The bigger question is whether Golden State would leverage its future for one last championship run to end the Curry era.

New York Knicks (+600)

Rounding out the top four are the New York Knicks. BetOnline lists the Knicks at +600 odds to be LeBron’s next team. As with Cleveland, joining New York would put LeBron in an excellent position to win a much weaker conference.

The Knicks have been a landing spot for LeBron every time he has pondered changing cities. However, this time around, New York has a championship-level roster that just made an ECF appearance.

Also, winning a championship with the Knicks would be a massive feather in the King’s crown. It would be the Knicks’ first championship since 1973.

Ending the Knicks’ championship drought would also put James in an exclusive club. No player has ever won a championship with four different teams. Becoming the first player to do so, and doing it in the Mecca of Basketball, could solidify James as the GOAT.

Jalen Brunson, who played with Luka in Dallas, and Karl-Anthony Towns would likely be off the table in a trade for LeBron. However, the Knicks could offer multiple players, including Mikal Bridges, who could help the Lakers compete in the West.