LeBron James (Photo By Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
It’s the NBA offseason, but LeBron James drama doesn’t take vacations. You’d think the league’s all-time leading scorer would be relaxing on a beach somewhere. Nope. Instead, the entire basketball world is playing detective, figuring out where he’ll land next.

Here’s the twist: The Dallas Mavericks are suddenly the frontrunner. Yes, Dallas.

According to odds from @BovadaOfficial, the Mavericks sit at +125 to land LeBron, way ahead of the Miami Heat (+500), Cavaliers (+550), Warriors (+600), and Knicks (+800). Just days ago, Dallas wasn’t even in the top three. Now, they’re at the center of the LeBron conversation.

Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, added more strong info in this. In his usual cryptic style, he told ESPN that they haven’t had conversations with the Lakers about a trade or buyout but admitted they’re watching the Lakers’ moves closely. In other words, nothing’s happening, but everything is happening.

Mavericks Gain Steam As LeBron’s Top Suitor

LeBron James (Image Credit: Imagn Images)

So, how did Dallas get here? It started when the Lakers brought in DeAndre Ayton and Jake LaRavia, moves that raised eyebrows but didn’t exactly secure their title run. At the same time, they let go of Dorian Finney-Smith, who just so happened to be one of Luka Doncic’s favorite teammates. Meanwhile, according to reports, they informed Doncic about a key ownership change, leaving LeBron in the dark.

That didn’t go unnoticed. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that four teams reached out to Rich Paul at the Summer League to gauge interest in a possible deal. Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson followed that up by naming them: the Cavaliers, Mavericks, Warriors, and Clippers.

Dallas isn’t just calling, though; they’re circling. And according to multiple sources, they’d prefer a buyout scenario. Matching LeBron’s $52.6 million salary would be a puzzle. It would likely take a package including Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington. Even Bronny James could be part of the mix. LeBron’s not leaving his son behind, not at this stage.

No official talks have happened yet, but everyone’s watching. The Mavericks want to win now. LeBron wants control. And the Lakers? They’re suddenly the third wheel in their relationship.

This saga is far from over. But Dallas isn’t just in the conversation anymore. They’re leading it.

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup.

Joining Lorraine Kelly on Monday’s episode of the ITV show, the TV presenter, 43, also gave an health update after having two tumours removed from jaw.

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood, in December after 10 years of marriage.

She has since made swipes at Jesse and moved on with TV director Elliot Hegarty, with the pair having been seen kissing during a recent night out.

Fearne has had a difficult few months after undergoing surgery to remove two benign tumours from her jawline, just days before her split with Jesse emerged.

She told host Lorraine: ‘It’s all very amicable and kids are doing great. I am in a very good place.’place.’

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Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup

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Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood , in December after 10 years of marriage (both pictured in February 2024)

Discussing her recent surgery, she added: ‘I feel very grateful to have completely recovered.

‘I feel really good. I have a lot of people reaching out who have had the same thing.’

Davina McCall, 56, announced in November she’d been diagnosed with a colloid cyst, a rare type of benign brain tumour, and has supported Fearne.

She continued: ‘Everyone needs a Davina. She’s been amazing, weird that we had the same health thing going on at the same time. She’s so calming and we speak every day. She is just the best

It comes after Fearne has seemingly made another thinly-veiled dig at her ex-husband as she gushed that she is the happiest she’s ever been in a positive update.

Speaking to Scott Mills on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, Fearne gushed that she is ‘really happy’ and is ‘springing out of bed in the morning ready for life’.

Scott, who has known Fearne for 25 years, said he has never seen her ‘more positive or happier’, prompting Fearne to agree and reply: ‘Yeah I feel great!’