The New York Knicks just added a key piece to their championship hopes with the addition of Mike Brown at head coach. It could be time to reunite him with a familiar face.
When LeBron James picked up his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season, most would have thought that union would stay in tact. There are cracks surfacing in the armor that would begin to suggest otherwise.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst suggested the Lakers are viewing James as no more than an 'expiring contract.' Their reported approach was paved the way for a potential blockbuster.
Windhorst said, "I would just say I've unlocked the door. The door I slammed and locked on Sunday, I'm not 100% sure. And that is because my conversations over the last three days have crystallized that the Lakers are essentially viewing LeBron as an expiring contract."
The insider added, "I'm not sure what happened, but the Lakers and LeBron did not have substantive discussions about extending his contract. ... What happens to expiring contracts in the NBA? They're viewed as trade pieces."
Feb 5, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) defends a pass by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) in the first quarter of the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Feb 5, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) defends a pass by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) in the first quarter of the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report suggested that if James were to relocate this summer, the Knicks should be at the top of the list with regard to potential destinations. The NBA writer even proposed a deal to get it done.
K nicks get: LeBron James.
Lakers get: OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, small salary filler.
This deal oddly works well for both sides. The Lakers get another body to plug their hole in the frontcourt and add a versatile 3-and-d player they are desperately missing. They can fully commit to the Luka Doncic timeline.
The Knicks, on the other hand, get to position themselves as the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference for 2025-26. There should be no doubt that a trio of James, Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns can compete in the depleted, injury-riddled spectacle that next season projects.
New York would be sacrificing a bit of sustainability that comes with their current core in favor of a home run swing. However, James would also be the biggest marquee name to join the Knicks in a very long time, perhaps ever.