With the Eastern Conference expected to be weaker than it was in 2024-25, the New York Knicks should be primed for another deep playoff run with Jalen Brunson orchestrating the organization’s offense.
However, if things begin to look shaky early on, Sports Illustrated’s Alex Kirschenbaum believes that the Knicks could swing a blockbuster trade to get them back on the right track.
Regarding a hypothetical trade proposal, Kirschenbaum crafted a scenario that would send a 7-foot center to the Los Angeles Lakers for a 6-foot-9 star forward.
“Two teams that would make the most sense (in a potential trade for LeBron James), the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, are both hard-capped above the league's punitive second luxury tax apron,” Kirschenbaum wrote Saturday.
“But both have the movable contracts available to make other deals and free up room under that second apron. A James-for-Karl-Anthony Towns deal would work financially — but, again, the Knicks would need to make other moves before they could make that happen.”
Trading for a 40-year-old with a bleak NBA future isn’t ideal, but James isn’t the ordinary aging superstar.
While James won’t be in the NBA for an extended period, he’s done a tremendous job of maximizing his remaining time in the big leagues.
Whether rim running at a high level, manipulating defenders on the perimeter with the best of them, or proving he can still be a go-to scorer in late-game moments, James continues to allow his game to speak for itself in the big leagues.
The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game in 70 appearances with the Lakers last season, shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from three-point land.
Considering James has been linked to the Knicks for months and Towns would be the perfect asset to help the franchise complete a midseason trade for the four-time NBA champion, there’s no reason to rule out the possibility of James joining New York this season.
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