In a segment on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ this week, Stephen A. Smith made a proposal to LeBron James that could alter the course of NBA history. After taking a moment to stand, Mr. Smith made the case for James to force his way to the Knicks for a “guaranteed” championship.
“If LeBron James wants to put himself in a position to win a guaranteed championship, get traded to the New York Knicks,” said Stephen A. “Center stage, Madison Square Garden, the mecca! Do you see this defense? Did you that that brother Jalen Brunson? Do you see Julius Randle and the workhorse that he is… Kevin Durant made that mistake by not coming to Madison Square Garden.”
The Knicks have been on fire since the OG Anunoby trade and are currently faring much better than the Lakers as the third seed in the East with a 32-17 record. As a potential free agent this summer (player option for the 2024-25 season), LeBron has the chance to join the Knicks as early as this July… or he can get a head start and force his way there before the deadline on February 8th.
Earlier this week, there were rumblings about a potential LeBron James trade amid the Lakers’ disappointing season. According to the rumors, James was at “the top” of the trade list and GM Rob Pelinka was “close” to finding a suitor for the 39-year-old. After some initial doubts about the authenticity of the story, the insider in question was deemed reliable, and the NBA world started buzzing with reactions. It wasn’t until LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, came out with a statement that the hype finally died down.
But with a player option for next season, LeBron’s impending decisions this summer continue to loom over the Lakers like a dark cloud on a stormy day. If he wants to, LeBron can leave the Lakers in just a few months and dismantle what they’ve been building since before the 2020 title. When asked about his summer plans, James refused to provide any hints about his thinking and it’s only stirred the pot of rumors and conjecture.
Historically, the New York Knicks have been the laughingstock of the league and it’s unusual to consider them title contenders. This year, however, the Knicks have been one of the best teams in the East, even without a true superstar. Thanks to the efforts of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and Josh Hart, they’ve been a tough matchup this year and currently rank as the seventh-best defense in the league. Now, with OG Anunoby, the Knicks are on another level of play and are on track to finish as a top-three team in the East.
If you add LeBron James to the mix, it could push the Knicks into the same tier as championship favorites like the Nuggets, Celtics, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Even at 39, James is still one of the best players in the league, and his two-way game coupled with brilliant basketball IQ would be enough to put New York on the map as a serious title threat and it would be a dream come true for millions of Knicks fans all around the world.
