LeBron James and company finally got the best out of the Denver Nuggets, as they took Game 4. The Lakers are coming off a Conference Finals loss, being swept by Denver last year. However, the men in purple and gold still trail 1-3 in the first round.
With how the games have played out, there are questions about James’ time in LA. ‘The King’ joined the Lakers back in 2018 following a rough Finals loss against Kevin Durant‘s Warriors.
In the last six years, the Lakers have won a title, made four postseason appearances, and have also missed two of them. Not only that, but they have gone through multiple changes ever since the King’s arrival. However, according to Stephen A. Smith, the Lakers might want to consider trading for James.
You don't trade LeBron James if he doesn't want to go, you don't move beyond LeBron James if he wants to stay... But is it possible and is it plausible when you got a team like the New York Knicks with 11 picks over the next seven years that you go to them and you say, 'You know what we don't mind, you want LeBron at the Garden? Give us a couple of first-round picks and a player.'. If you're the Los Angeles Lakers, you might wanna consider it. Stephen A. Smith via his show “The Stephen A. Smith Show”
While New York will have an icon to lead the squad, the Lakers will get great assets that will be helpful in the long run. To put it into perspective, the Knicks can consider giving away Donte DiVincenzo and Mitchell Robinson along with a few first-round picks. The trade can actually work if the Knicks decide to go with this pattern. However, James has his own plans.
LeBron James will join the Knicks under one condition
James signed the Lakers contract extension back in 2022, which allows him to exercise his player option following the current season. However, his son, Bronny James, might get drafted this year, as James will look to team up with his son. The Knicks have a draft pick closer to Bronny’s draft projection. If the Knicks can manage to land Bronny, James will definitely come along, as he shared his desire to play with his son.
On the other hand, the Knicks is a growing franchise, currently winning the first-round series against the Sixers. Their core, including Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and others, have finally come along and are looking quite solid moving ahead in the playoffs.
It will be interesting to see James make his decision this summer. Though before that, the King has a team to lead in the playoffs, as the Lakers prepare for Game 5 on the road, looking to extend the series further.
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