LeBron James reveals how close he was to joining Knicks — and the main reason he didn't image
After eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James moved cross-country and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in July. However, James revealed that he had his eyes set on signing with the New York Knicks instead.
James only has a few years left in his career, making it possible that he ends his legendary career with the Sixers. Had he gotten his way, though, James would've moved to the Big Apple to sign play for the Knicks in Madison Square Garden for a few seasons.
That was until the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs for their first NBA title since 1973, ending an infamous title drought. In that moment, James changed his mind and knew that signing with the Knicks would have been much different than he imagined.
Here's why James said he chose not to sign with the Knicks.
MORE: LeBron James opens up on 76ers decision
Why LeBron James didn't sign with the Knicks
At 76ers media day, LeBron James revealed that he had plans to join the Knicks to end his career, but those dreams ended once the Knicks won the NBA title in June,
"I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden and finishing my career in the Garden," James said on Monday, via ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "One of the best places I've ever played. I think it's the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player. But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, 'Hey, I can't.' I couldn't do it."
The Knicks had a 53-year championship drought before securing the title last season, and the team that ended the drought is now beloved in New York City. James seemed to envision himself being a part of the historic title, but now, if he signed with the Knicks in July, he would've been viewed in a different light.
"Y'all wouldn't have let me lay that down, at all," James told the media. "But much respect to the Knicks, obviously. An unbelievable team, unbelievable players. Shout out Jalen Brunson. I love that guy, he's unbelievable. But, yeah, I'm happy where I'm at, and I'm looking forward to it."
James instead signed in Philadelphia, which hasn't won the NBA title since 1983 despite being a historic basketball city. If James brings an NBA title back to the city, Philadelphia fans will adore him for the rest of his life in a way that would not have been the case had he joined the Knicks.
The NBA season opens on October 20, when the Knicks raise their NBA championship banner in front of James and the visiting 76ers team. These two teams will be battling in the Eastern Conference all season long, as James hopes to end a different title drought while the Knicks look to repeat.