New Report Emerges on Possible LeBron James, Anthony Davis Reunion
New Report Emerges on Possible LeBron James, Anthony Davis Reunion originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There was once a question about who would be the face of the Los Angeles Lakers after LeBron James and Anthony Davis's exits, but that got answered in February.
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The Dallas Mavericks traded superstar guard Luka Doncic, along with Maxi Kleber, to the Lakers for Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. It's regarded as one of the most shocking deals in sports history, as Doncic is 26 and led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, while Davis is 32 and injury-prone.
Regardless, Los Angeles now has Doncic to lead it through its post-James era. James exercised his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers on Sunday, but he could still ask out this summer if he doesn't like the team's direction.
A new report emerged on Sunday about a possible destination for the 40-year-old if he does request a trade, via Jovan Buha.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23)Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"There has been some buzz in the general NBA ether in the last week or two with LeBron and Dallas," he said. "If you look at the situation, they have AD, they have Kyrie [Irving], they have Jason Kidd, who LeBron played with at Team USA and also played under with the Lakers. Kidd was an assistant on that 2020 title team, and LeBron loved being coached by him."
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"They also have Nico Harrison, which is funny as that is to some, he is a former Nike guy, and LeBron is Mr. Nike...Keep an eye on Dallas [if he asks out]," he continued.
James and Davis played together in Los Angeles for five-and-a-half seasons, and the two stars led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks now have No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg in addition to Irving and Davis after winning the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.
Related: Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton Connection Surfaces After Buyout News
Related: NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.

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USA Today
40 minutes ago
- USA Today
The 15 most intriguing NBA free agents available in 2025
NBA free agency is here, with the 6 p.m. ET start to the negotiating period on Monday, June 30. That means we might get a whole bunch of reported news that evening with signings and moves. Before that? It's time to start looking at the biggest names available, and we've decided to look at it with intrigue. The superstars available? That's more of a trade thing. But there are some players who could turn an also-ran into more of a contender, and that's what we're focused on here. MORE NBA: Tracking the top 2025 undrafted free agents So let's dive in! Here are the most intriguing names on the market in the NBA as we get set for the free agency madness: 1. C Myles Turner STATUS: Unrestricted The Indiana Pacers center is your ideal modern NBA anchor in the middle -- he can block shots on one end and hit threes on the other. Any team could plug him in and see his presence pay dividends immediately. 2. SF Jonathan Kuminga STATUS: Restricted Hmm. Is Kuminga a flawed player who Steve Kerr struggled to figure out? Or a young player still figuring it out who has untapped potential? If it's the latter, expect an offer sheet from a team rolling the dice. 3. PG Josh Giddey STATUS: Restricted The Chicago Bulls player had a great year as a distributor and rebounder and could be another offer sheet candidate. 4. C Brook Lopez STATUS: Unrestricted Yes, he's getting old. But no, he's not looking old. Dude can still block shots and hit threes. 5. C Deandre Ayton STATUS: Unrestricted There's a lot of chatter about where he's headed after the Blazers bought him out (COUGH Lakers COUGH COUGH), and while Ayton's skills on the defense end aren't the best, he's a scorer and a rebounder in the middle. 6. SG Cam Thomas STATUS: Restricted He can score! We know that much. Everything else? ... Not quite his game. But there's value here that can be unearthed on the right roster. 7. SG Ty Jerome STATUS: Unrestricted He was a terrific glue guy in Cleveland, with some scoring, threes and steals every game. 8. PF Santi Aldama STATUS: Restricted I'm curious if he gets an offer sheet given his stretch forward skills. 9. SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker STATUS: Unrestricted A 3-and-D player who will make himself some money this offseason. 10. C Clint Capela STATUS: Unrestricted He can still rebound and block shots. That's something. 11. SG Quentin Grimes STATUS: Restricted He EXPLODED in Philly, so maybe that was a sign of things to come. 12. PF Dorian Finney-Smith STATUS: Unrestricted See above for what I said about 3-and-D guys. 13. SG Bruce Brown STATUS: Unrestricted Another glue guy for contenders. 14. SF Duncan Robinson STATUS: Unrestricted You need shooting from a stretch forward? Here you go. 15. SG Caris LeVert STATUS: Unrestricted An effective shooting guard who can score. Not a home-run hitter, but that's not a bad thing.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Blockbuster Deal Between Lakers And Knicks That Would Be Perfect For Both Teams
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Given the kind of state both teams are in, the Knicks and the Lakers could look to aid each other by engaging in a swap for Bridges and Reaves. Here's what a potential trade package would look like: Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Mikal Bridges, 2026 first-round pick New York Knicks Receive: Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith In its way, this trade addresses some basic problems at both times while also helping them become more competitive. Advertisement For the Lakers, the addition of Bridges effectively transforms their frontcourt. The 28-year-old is one of the most durable players in the league, considering that he hasn't missed a single game of his career. His availability is only matched by his consistency as a two-way player, the type the Lakers are in desperate need of. Bridges is one of the best two-way players in the game. 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And to top it off, this deal also sees the arrival of a key first-round pick, something the Lakers will be in dire need of as they continue to build for the future. Meanwhile, the Knicks benefit greatly from making this trade. While losing Bridges does hurt their defensive rotation, the arrival of Dorian Finney-Smith more than makes up for it. Finney-Smith is likely to be a sign-and-trade player, but his defensive output is truly remarkable. Factoring in his defensive presence, with his 41.1% shooting from beyond the arc, will quickly see him become a mainstay on the Knicks' roster. Advertisement The biggest incoming asset remains Austin Reaves. Reaves is widely considered one of the best third options in the league. His creativity as an offensive player, scoring and playmaking, sees him rated alongside some of the best. Reaves' ability to carry a team's offense on his own was what made him so valuable in LA. His skill at creating shots for himself was only matched by his ability to make them in clutch situations. Reaves' averages of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists are beyond impressive, and in many ways, fitting for a third star. If the 27-year-old heads over to the Eastern Conference, he will find himself in a different setting. This could either see him transform into a better player or stagnate. The growth is purely dependent upon the environment New York can create, which requires them to successfully hire a head coach for next season. Advertisement It is hard to project what kind of impact Reaves would have on the system primarily because, without a coach, the Knicks don't have a system. But being featured with Jalen Brunson would undoubtedly make for a formidable backcourt duo in New York. The Lakers May Not Do This Deal While this deal has mutual merit, there is a better than even chance that the teams don't do this. 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New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
How do Michigan fans grade Sherrone Moore and what's next? Our Wolverines fan survey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In an email to fans last week, athletic director Warde Manuel said Michigan is continuing to evaluate ways to pay for 82 new scholarships and $20.5 million in revenue-sharing funds that will be distributed to athletes in football, basketball, volleyball and ice hockey. If Manuel needs more input, The Athletic's Michigan fan survey is here to help. More than 1,000 fans shared their thoughts last week on scheduling more events at Michigan Stadium (yes, please), higher ticket prices (no way!) and permanent advertising inside the Big House (a definite maybe), along with numerous topics related to the upcoming football season. The overall picture reveals a fan base that, despite some short-term uncertainty, feels confident in the long-term trajectory of Michigan athletics in the revenue-sharing era. Advertisement 'I think UM is generally in a good place,' wrote Chris P. 'Football needs to take a step forward after a natty hangover year in 2024, but I like that the team finished strong last season, and I think Sherrone Moore's approaches to recruiting, the transfer portal and building his coaching staff make sense.' 'I don't think this is THE year for Michigan football,' added Noah K. 'We should be good, not great. The next two years are going to be the hot zone for Bryce (Underwood) and the elite recruiting class we just pulled in to develop.' Here's the full breakdown of the survey results. In last year's fan survey, the vast majority of Michigan fans said they were on board with promoting Moore to replace Jim Harbaugh. Moore's first season was far from flawless, but the combination of beating Ohio State and Alabama and landing the No. 1 recruit in the nation earned Moore solid marks in this year's survey. 'Sherrone Moore had me very nervous at first,' wrote Michael L. 'I think he underestimated how bad his QB was and killed the season because of it. I do think he has bounced back in a major way.' Despite the optimism, there's a sense that Moore needs to show something in 2025. Most fans seem willing to give him some runway as Underwood develops, but they'd also like to see Michigan back in the CFP conversation. 'This season is time for Sherrone to prove he can win outside of the shadow of the national championship,' wrote Bruce B. The takeaway here is that a majority of fans would accept a season similar to 2024 as long as Michigan wins its two rivalry games. There's a clear expectation that Michigan should be back in the CFP by 2026, but fans can deal with some growing pains as long as Michigan is moving in the right direction. Advertisement 'To think this team is ready to compete for a national title with a true freshman QB (though I believe he is talented) and a patchwork offensive line is probably unrealistic,' wrote Sam K. 'My hope is that we can see this team start to jell in the back half of the season, keep the core in place, and 2026 could set up for a special year.' With a freshman quarterback and two excellent running backs, Michigan's new offensive coordinator would be smart to rely on the ground game as much as possible. That's what fans expect, though many find it hard to contain their expectations for Underwood. 'I don't think I have ever been this excited for a quarterback,' wrote Adam S. 'I can't wait to see Underwood play.' The split vote reflects a defense that will rely on depth rather than star power. It will be a great sign for Michigan if Rod Moore is in the conversation given the severity of his knee injury and his lengthy path to recovery. The top choice is no surprise, but I thought Michigan's first Big Ten game in L.A. might rate a bit higher. Fans are right to be excited about the Week 2 trip to Oklahoma, a great intersectional matchup that will set the tone for the rest of Michigan's season. Aside from quarterback, wide receiver is the position that seems most ripe for a breakout season from a freshman. Even so, I might cast my vote for Earls, who has a great shot to be Michigan's third cornerback and might even work his way into the starting lineup. Fans seem confident that Michigan's defensive line won't miss a beat despite losing Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. I expected the vote to be closer between the D-line and the running backs, though it's tough to go wrong either way. No surprises here. Michigan had one of the least productive wide receiver units in college football last season and returns many of the same players after swapping Tyler Morris for Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley. The long-term picture looks brighter thanks to a strong 2025 class and Zion Robinson's commitment for 2026, but it remains to be seen if any of the young players are ready to emerge. Advertisement My other takeaway: Michigan fans aren't sure what to make of this offensive line. I'd like to get the 7 percent who graded the O-line as the strongest position group in the same room with the 12 percent who think it's the weak link and let them hash it out. We're going on 18 months of opposing fans claiming the sign-stealing scandal is a capital offense while Michigan fans claim it's much ado about nothing. We can all agree on one thing: It will be nice to have closure. 'I feel the Connor Stalions story, while an entertaining distraction, is just that: a distraction,' wrote Nick M. 'Most people will swiftly forget it in a few years, and it will be little more than an embarrassing blip on our reputation.' I do wonder if Michigan fans are setting themselves up for disappointment if the NCAA ruling is harsher than they expect. The case wouldn't have gone all the way to an infractions hearing if the NCAA's enforcement staff was content to let Michigan off with a wrist-slap. That doesn't mean the Committee on Infractions will see it the same way, but Michigan definitely is not in the clear. The perception a few years ago was that Michigan lagged behind its peers in the NIL space. That's no longer the case. Michigan has modernized its personnel department and committed to doing what's necessary to land elite players like Underwood. Give credit to general manager Sean Magee, who has proven to be a smart hire for Moore. The vibes continue to be immaculate for May and his program. Replacing Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf is no small task, but fans are confident Michigan can build on last year's success with the additions of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau. Manuel didn't provide the exact percentages, but Michigan's strategy seems roughly in line with fan preferences. Football is the bell cow and is going to get a majority of the revenue-sharing funds. The next biggest chunk will go to basketball, with volleyball and ice hockey also receiving some funding. The distribution model may evolve over time, Manuel said, and could include payouts for top performers in sports that aren't on the initial list. Advertisement Football is king, but fans want to ensure sports like swimming, gymnastics and track and field have the resources they need to survive. Those fans will be happy to hear that, according to Manuel, cutting any of Michigan's 29 varsity sports programs is not a consideration. 'I really hope Michigan avoids cutting sports such as track, rowing, field hockey, etc.,' wrote Baker C. 'I feel having those sports plays a part in the overall athletic culture of the university and have each had moments of individual excitement and success that I would be sad to see leave.' Keeping last year's format was the most popular choice, though fans are ambivalent overall about the expanded playoff. It's notable that an option the Big Ten has pushed for — four guaranteed bids for the Big Ten and SEC, two apiece for the Big 12 and ACC, one for the Group of 5 and three at-large — was the last-place option. 'The powers that be are going to ruin college football with expanding the Playoff, doing nothing about transfers/tampering and moving away from regional conferences,' wrote Ben K. 'The regular season used to be special. Now an Ohio State team can win the national title without beating Michigan. We probably don't need more than six playoff spots.' These two questions were designed to test the hypothesis that changes in college football have affected fans' attitudes more than their habits. The results bear that out: 47.6 percent of fans feel less interested, but only 22.8 percent are consuming less college football. While interest in college football remains strong, fans are expressing fatigue with the endless tinkering with Playoff formats, conference realignment, player movement and legal wrangling. 'The transfer portal, revenue sharing and NIL do not bother me in the least,' wrote Andrew R. 'However, expanding the playoff field to an absurd 12 teams has ruined the sport and greatly reduced my interest. Conference expansion at the same time has not helped, either. The regular season no longer matters, officially, so why should we care about it? It's a real shame.' Advertisement Michigan fans are divided on the Gus Johnson/Joel Klatt combo, but the Big Noon window is their clear favorite. It's interesting to me that while Ohio State fans clamor for fewer noon kickoffs, Michigan fans would gladly take more if it meant fewer night games. Perhaps that's because night games are a relatively recent phenomenon at the Big House. Hosting events at Michigan Stadium seems like a no-brainer, and I'd expect more of those in the coming years. Michigan hasn't made a decision on permanent advertising at the Big House, but the wording of Manuel's email made me think it's only a matter of time. 'Permanent advertising in Michigan Stadium has been a topic of discussion for many years, predating my tenure at Michigan,' Manuel wrote. 'It's essential for us to assess all potential advertising opportunities to generate new revenue while respecting our traditions. Every decision we make will take into account Michigan's traditions and values while also understanding the decisions we need to make to continue to support the success of our teams.' As someone who didn't grow up attending games at the Big House, my first reaction was, 'Wait, Michigan doesn't have advertising at the stadium?' I can't say that I notice the difference when I travel to other venues, but I understand that some longtime fans have strong feelings about it. 'Never, ever have advertising in or around Michigan Stadium or the uniforms!!' wrote a fan named Jim. Fans may not like it, but if the alternative is cutting sports or raising ticket prices, they'll take the ads. For a fan base that's more tradition-minded than most, Michigan fans expressed a surprising openness to private equity funding, too. 'College football is trending toward the structure of the English Premier League,' wrote Dana B. 'As such, Michigan should get ahead of the game and bring in private equity investors ASAP. Without a doubt this is the direction the sport is headed.' That's not quite the last resort, but it's fairly low on the list of options. Fans can think of much better ways to pay for those new revenue-sharing deals. 'Eminem at the Big House, anyone?' wrote Sen A.