Could the New York Knicks land LeBron James?
As LeBron James trade speculation continues to swarm, the Knicks are seemingly on everyone’s radar as a team to keep an eye on.
Fred Katz of the Athletic took a look at how this could happen, pointing to the financial viability for one or both of the Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.
“Purely from a standpoint of matching salaries, the Knicks could construct various types of offers for James,” Katz wrote. “The most chaotic deal would be flipping All-NBA big man Karl-Anthony Towns for James, straight up — two teams betting on the other’s star. Of course, this could leave the Knicks center-less, given Mitchell Robinson’s injury struggles.
“They could pair a couple of wings, OG Anunoby and either Josh Hart or Mikal Bridges, in a trade for James. They could piece together a trio to offer for James: Anunoby, Robinson and point guard Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride.”
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Katz added to the financial aspects of the deal, pointing out how advantageous it could be for the Knicks to move Towns for James.
“The Knicks could justify Towns-for-James with a similar financial argument the Clippers could use in a [Kawhi] Leonard-for-James one,” Katz explained. “New York owes Towns $110 million over the next two seasons. The five-time All-Star has a $61 million player option for 2027-28. Meanwhile, the Knicks are at risk of climbing into the second apron next season, a possibility that does not excite them but could be inevitable if they keep their current top five or six together.”
Katz continued: “James could double as a basketball fit, as well as a giant expiring contract to avoid the second apron in 2026-27 and maybe beyond. In Los Angeles, Towns and [Luka] Dončić could destroy any defense they face.”
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