NBA Free company has largely come and gone, and whereas most groups are shifting focus to the 2025–26 season, the Los Angeles Lakers nonetheless have one huge query to reply earlier than coaching camp begins:
What are they going to do with LeBron James?
It’s a query that naturally loops within the Knicks as a practical touchdown spot for an all-time nice within the remaining chapter of his Corridor of Fame profession.
The Lakers shocked the league by buying and selling Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić — a transfer that clearly alerts a shift towards constructing round their new 26-year-old celebrity.
The Lakers may attempt to make it work with LeBron and Luka as a co-headlined title duo — or they might transfer on, buying and selling James earlier than doubtlessly dropping him for nothing in free company.
In the event that they select the latter, the Knicks turn into one of the compelling choices. However ought to they go all-in?
THE CASE FOR LEBRON
200 – The variety of levels Fahrenheit inside Madison Sq. Backyard for LeBron’s first recreation as a Knick
MSG buzzes irrespective of who’s suiting up — however when LeBron involves city, the power shifts. Now think about that feeling each night time. Image pre-game intros: Jalen Brunson. Karl-Anthony Cities. After which…
“At forward, from Akron, Ohio, No. 23, LeBron James.”
The Backyard would burst on the seams.
52 – The variety of years because the Knicks’ final title
The East is broad open. If the Knicks land LeBron, they immediately turn into the favorites.
A Huge Three of James, Brunson, and Cities would rival Oklahoma Metropolis’s trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren as the most effective in basketball.
It could immediately drive groups like Cleveland and Orlando again to the drafting board. As a result of including Desmond Bane is cute. So is Mitchell and Garland. However LeBron? He’s nonetheless The King — and when he locks in on a title, few have stopped him.
1 – The place LeBron James believes he ranks all-time
Some consider it doesn’t matter what LeBron does, he’ll by no means surpass Michael Jordan within the GOAT debate.
However ending the Knicks’ 52-year title drought? That is perhaps sufficient to finish the argument completely.
James has already received championships with three franchises — the Cavs, Warmth, and Lakers. A title in New York would make him the primary participant in NBA historical past to win rings with 4 completely different groups.
He’s the league’s all-time scoring chief. High 5 in assists. High 10 in steals and rebounds. There’s not a lot left to show — besides one remaining chapter.
A fourth “Decision.” Taking his abilities to the town that by no means sleeps. No. 23 (or No. 6) in orange and blue. Elevating a long-awaited banner at MSG, then strolling off into the sundown.
Some storybook endings write themselves.
1 – Knicks gamers with NBA Finals expertise
OG Anunoby owns a hoop, however didn’t play within the Raptors’ playoff 2019 run as a consequence of harm.
Cities made the Western Convention Finals final 12 months. Brunson has two WCF journeys on his resume. Josh Hart by no means made the playoffs earlier than coming to New York. Mikal Bridges reached the Finals with Phoenix, however was behind Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton within the pecking order.
LeBron James went to eight straight NBA Finals.
The Knicks are shut — final season’s East Finals run proved that. However no single transfer improves a workforce’s championship odds like including LeBron James.
THE CASE AGAINST ADDING LEBRON
52.6 – Not LeBron’s age. His wage.
LeBron isn’t 53 years previous — however he’ll make $52.6 million this season, his twenty third within the NBA.
If not Cities, the Knicks must piece collectively a number of of their key gamers to match LeBron’s cap hit:
Anunoby: $39.6M
Bridges: $24.9M (can’t be traded till Feb. 1)
Hart: $19.4M
Mitchell Robinson: $12.9M
Transfer OG and also you lose your defensive identification. Commerce Hart and chemistry takes a success. Ship out Robinson and rim safety vanishes. LeBron continues to be elite. However his scoring has dipped in every of the previous three seasons. And Father Time stays undefeated.
41 – LeBron’s actual age on Dec. 30
LeBron’s dedication to caring for his physique is known — however we’re deep into the twilight of his profession. This season, he’ll turn into simply the twelfth participant in NBA historical past to play after turning 41.
Solely seven others made it previous 42. And none have been anticipated to guide a title workforce. He’s now not getting extra explosive. He’s no more sturdy now than he was three years in the past.
The manufacturing continues to be there — however for a way for much longer?
1 – The variety of years left on LeBron’s contract
LeBron picked up his $53M participant possibility this summer season — however shortly after, his agent Wealthy Paul publicly opened the door to a commerce.
That form of message is classic LeBron leverage.
If the Knicks commerce for him, they’ll have to hope he has at the least two extra years of top-tier manufacturing — and can probably have to increase or re-sign him in 2026 to keep away from one other stroll 12 months.
Meaning tying up cap house and suppleness in probably the most scrutinized star of the fashionable period — all whereas making an attempt to construct a contender round him.
2 – The variety of years LeBron has left within the tank — max.
LeBron’s youthful son, Bryce James, begins his freshman season at Arizona this fall. If he follows Bronny’s path, he’ll declare for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Which suggests LeBron could also be one season away from his remaining fairytale: sharing the NBA ground with each of his sons.
That’s the end line. Not the beginning of one other four-year run.
The Knicks are already beneath stress. They traded 5 first-round picks for Bridges, swung for the fences with Cities, fired Tom Thibodeau after an Jap Convention Finals look, then employed Mike Brown — not their prime teaching alternative.
Is it price playing the remainder of their window on a 41-year-old whose future hinges on his household and a fifth ring? The Knicks received’t should reply these questions now, however ought to the LeBron and the Lakers conform to half methods, The King may come calling.
It’s as much as New York whether or not they’ll reply.
Initially Printed: August 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM EDT
