There’s still plenty of noise around LeBron James this offseason, mostly because the idea of him leaving the Los Angeles Lakers hasn’t gone away. He’s made similar choices in the past, and this time, there are several teams that could give him that chance again.
One of those teams is the New York Knicks. They made a strong run to the Eastern Conference Finals before being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers. With the East wide open next year, they could finish what they started.
But to take the next step, changes might be necessary. The coaching change is done. The roster could be next. If LeBron becomes available, that kind of opportunity doesn’t come often. At almost 41, he is not what he was, but he is still a game-changer. If he joins, it’s not unreasonable to say they’d be the favorites in the East.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes a trade involving LeBron James and Karl-Anthony Towns could be the way this scenario comes together.
“New York Knicks Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Straight-up swapping Towns for LeBron would make the Knicks a lot older. So be it. New York still needs another ball-handler to consistently lighten its dependence on Jalen Brunson. Jordan Clarkson moves the needle only so much.
Give team president Leon Rose truth serum, and he might even tell you he appreciates the flexibility that the expiring contract of a soon-to-be 41-year-old LeBron would give the Knicks over the three seasons and $171.2 million owed to Towns.
New York would have to recalibrate its big-man rotation without KAT, but it’d still have a veteran-minimum slot to dangle after this move. The situation is also hardly dire following the addition of Guerschon Yabusele and if Mitchell Robinson can stay healthy.”
