It’s already three days into NBA free agency, and superstar forward LeBron James doesn’t seem any closer to a decision than he did when it started. As it stands, as many as 12 teams have made a pitch to LeBron, and the latest reports indicate that the New York Knicks have also joined the pursuit.
NBA insider Jake Fischer confirmed the news on Thursday, suggesting that the defending NBA champions may yet lure the summer’s top free agent to join Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns in New York City.
“The Knicks have shown some interest in LeBron James,” said Fischer. “That is the word we just got back right now.”
Even at 41 years old, LeBron remains the most coveted player on the market. Last season, in 60 games, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 51.5% shooting and 31.7% shooting from three. After revealing he would not be returning to the Lakers, teams across the league have been calling his agent, Rich Paul, to express their interest.
At this point, only LeBron knows which way he’s leaning, but it’s no secret that his biggest priority is joining a team where he can compete and play meaningful games. So far, three places have emerged as the most likely landing spots: the Warriors, Cavaliers, and Miami Heat. Where the Knicks rank on that list is unclear, but they present the most ideal situation for LeBron.
In New York, it’s been a relatively quiet summer. Besides re-signing Jose Alvarado and losing Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics, the roster is pretty much unchanged, and that’s likely by design. But if LeBron is willing to sign on a pay cut (all indications are that he is), the Knicks could afford to squeeze him in at no risk, and he’d be an ideal fit for them as a mature veteran wing who can make plays, score in isolation, and deliver in late-game situations.
The only catch is that the Knicks just won the title, meaning LeBron would be joining an already well-established and proven championship team. There’s also the fact that he might be forced to come off the bench behind one of the most stacked starting units in the NBA.
If LeBron is okay accepting those realities, there’s no better team to join than the Knicks. As a legacy franchise in the country’s biggest market (New York City), they offer him a chance to grow his brand in a way he’s never experienced before. More importantly, they’d ensure LeBron’s final playing days would be spent in a winning environment, competing for a chance to win it all.
For now, LeBron is still mulling things over, and we shouldn’t expect a decision anytime soon. He’s taking his time with this one, giving teams ample time to make a move that might improve their standing. So far, the Philadelphia 76ers have made the biggest splash, but the Knicks are one of the few teams that’s already built to win now. To lure LeBron, they don’t need to do anything but make their interest known and sell him on their plan to repeat as champions next season.
