Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Sends Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James to New York Knicks

If LeBron James requests a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA legend will be heavily linked to the New York Knicks.

Why? Well, because it’s New York, the biggest media market, and the Knicks have Leon Rose and Mike Brown.

Rose used to be James’ agent and Brown coached LeBron on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed that the Knicks trade Karl-Anthony Towns to the Lakers for James. This trade works under the CBA since Towns will make $53.1 million next season and James will make $52.7 million.

“Straight-up swapping Towns for LeBron would make the Knicks a lot older. So be it. New York still needs another ball-handler to consistently lighten its dependence on Jalen Brunson. Jordan Clarkson moves the needle only so much,” Favale wrote.

“Give team president Leon Rose truth serum, and he might even tell you he appreciates the flexibility that the expiring contract of a soon-to-be 41-year-old LeBron would give the Knicks over the three seasons and $171.2 million owed to Towns. New York would have to recalibrate its big-man rotation without KAT, but it’d still have a veteran-minimum slot to dangle after this move. The situation is also hardly dire following the addition of Guerschon Yabusele and if Mitchell Robinson can stay healthy.”

James met with the Knicks in 2010 when he was an unrestricted free agent. Although he signed with the Miami Heat, LeBron has said several times that MSG is his favorite arena to play in.

New York made the conference finals last season for the first time since 2000, losing to the Indiana Pacers in six games. James, a four-time champion and the leading scorer in NBA history, could be the missing piece the Knicks need to win a title for the first time since 1973.

Yes, James turns 41 next season. He’s the oldest active player in the league. However, LeBron doesn’t play like an old guy. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season and made the All-NBA Second Team. 

The Lakers haven’t announced yet that James picked up his player option for next season. Until that happens, a trade request can’t be ruled out.

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