LeBron James Idea Ties Knicks to Offseason Splash Move
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
LeBron James has dominated the NBA rumor mill over the last week. With his relationship crumbling with the Los Angeles Lakers, a lot of trade speculation has come up with his name attached.
While it's possible that James and the Lakers could part ways, finding the right partner in trade talks could prove to be difficult.
Acquiring James would not be cheap for whoever pursues the option. Los Angeles won't give him up for free and James is playing on a one-year deal worth just over $52.6 million. There aren't many teams that could come up with a deal that makes sense for both sides.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on April 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on April 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo byThat being said, one analyst has taken a look at the five best potential destinations for James.
Read more: Lakers, Warriors Facing New Competition for Al Horford in NBA Free Agency
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale has suggested the New York Knicks as one of those top five destinations.
"New York will fill its second ball-handler box by adding Jordan Clarkson. That's no reason to pass on LeBron, who remains a top-tier offensive player. The one-two punch between him and Jalen Brunson would be bonkers, alleviating the workload on not only the latter, but Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby as well," Favale wrote.
He also hinted at Karl-Anthony Towns being the centerpiece of a trade with the Lakers for James.
"Adding Guerschon Yabusele and having Mitchell Robinson positions the Knicks to get by at center without Towns while still maintaining five-out whimsy in certain lineups. They might even appreciate the extra flexibility LeBron's expiring contract affords, particularly as Bridges gets more expensive after this season."
James heading to the Knicks would shake the landscape of the NBA. New York made a run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season before being defeated by the Indiana Pacers in six games.
Read more: Lakers' LeBron James Trade Rumors Receive Huge Update
Mike Brown has taken over as the team's head coach to replace Tom Thibodeau. Adding a player like James in place of Towns could be the move that powers New York into the NBA Finals.
It's not likely that the Knicks will make a move for James. However, it cannot be counted out.
At the very least, New York has made the cut as one of the perceived top fits for LeBron should he leave Los Angeles. Fans will simply have to wait and see what the future has in store for James.
For more on the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Brewers spoil Tyler Glasnow's successful return, sweep streaking Dodgers with 10th-inning walk-off win
Tyler Glasnow returned to the starting rotation, but the Los Angeles Dodgers didn't return to the win column. After staging a ninth-inning comeback Wednesday, the Milwaukee Brewers (53-40) swept the defending World Series champions with a 10th-inning walk-off win. Advertisement Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio did the honors. The 21-year-old drove home automatic runner Sal Frelick with a zipping single to left field, notching his first-ever walk-off hit. The Dodgers (56-38) have now lost six games in a row. Milwaukee's come-from-behind victory spoiled a successful first outing back on the mound for Glasnow. The 31-year-old righty had been on the IL since April 28 due to right shoulder inflammation that ended his fifth start of the year prematurely. When his recovery timeline was pushed back, he was moved to the 60-day IL. Luckily for the Dodgers, Glasnow didn't face any setbacks in his third minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City this past Thursday. So Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts gave him the nod for Wednesday's series finale versus the Brewers. Advertisement The 2024 All-Star didn't give up an earned run in the five innings he pitched. That said, he wasn't perfect. Glasnow issued three walks, one of which indirectly led to a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Glasnow gave Jake Bauers a free pass to first and then balked, allowing the Milwaukee first baseman to advance to second. Bauers stole third and, because of a throwing error from Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith, was able to race home for the Brewers' first run of the game. That tied things up. In the top half of the inning, a controversial checked swing paved the way for the Dodgers to get their first run aboard. Third-base umpire John Libka said Los Angeles center fielder James Outman didn't go, and, so, instead of striking out, he ended up walking to load the bases with two outs. Then Brewers starter José Quintana walked Shohei Ohtani in four pitches, surrendering a Dodgers run. Advertisement That was the only run Quintana conceded in his six innings, however, as he proceeded to get out of the frame by inducing a flyout from shortstop Mookie Betts. The Dodgers plated a go-ahead run in the seventh inning. Third baseman Miguel Rojas reached first on an infield single. Pinch hitter Teoscar Hernández drew a walk. Hyeseong Kim pinch ran for him and was part of a double steal that saw Rojas swipe third. After another Ohtani walk to load the bases again, Betts escorted Rojas home with a sac fly to make it a 2-1 game. The Brewers got some more magic from recent call-up Andrew Vaughn in the ninth inning. The first baseman, who Milwaukee acquired from the White Sox in the Aaron Civale trade on June 13, pinch hit for Bauers with one out and two men on. Despite a broken bat, he dropped a single to center, bringing home the game-tying run. Advertisement Vaughn has now recorded at least one RBI in each of his first three games with the Brewers. Trevor Megill struck out the side in the top of the 10th, and Chourio played hero in the bottom half of the inning.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
No. 45 pick Rocco Zikarsky signs two-way contract with Timberwolves
Australian center Rocco Zikarsky, No. 45 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the team announced. Zikarsky averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field last season with the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL. He was limited to 20 games due to a knee injury after playing 29 games in the season prior with the Bullets because of an ankle injury. The 7-footer was part of the Next Stars program, a plan introduced by the NBL to give top prospects a path to play professionally. He was among several prospects in the program last season, joining the likes of Izan Almansa, Lachlan Olbrich and Alex Toohey. Prior to spending two seasons with the Bullets, Zikarsky attended the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia. He is the second NBA Academy alumnus to be selected in the draft this year (Khaman Maluach) and the 13th to be drafted or sign with a team. The soon-to-be 19-year-old will split his time next season between the NBA and the Iowa Wolves in the G League. He is eligible to be active for up to 50 games in the NBA and will earn $636,435, equal to 50% of the minimum salary applicable to a player with zero years of service. Zikarsky is expected to play in the NBA Summer League with the Timberwolves, beginning on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans (3:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN2).
Associated Press
33 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Chourio drives in winning run in 10th as Brewers win 3-2 and hand Dodgers their 6th straight loss
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jackson Chourio singled home the winning run in the 10th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers rallied to beat Los Angeles 3-2 on Wednesday to complete their first home sweep of the Dodgers in franchise history. The Brewers' only two previous sweeps of the Dodgers came at Los Angeles, in May 2012 and August 2017. The NL West-leading Dodgers have lost six straight. Milwaukee's Trevor Megill (2-2) struck out Freddie Freeman, Andy Pages and Tommy Edman in order in the top of the 10th. William Contreras led off the bottom of the 10th with a fly to deep center off Kirby Yates (4-3) that advanced automatic runner Sal Frelick to third. Chourio then singled through the left side of a drawn-in infield for his first career walk-off hit. The Brewers tied the game in the ninth when pinch-hitter Andrew Vaughn's one-out single off Tanner Scott brought home Isaac Collins and put runners on the corners. Scott struck out Andruw Monasterio and retired Frelick on a grounder to second to force extra innings. Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow struck out five and allowed one unearned run, three walks and two hits over six innings in his first appearance since April 27. He had been on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Milwaukee's José Quintana struck out four and allowed four walks, two hits and one run in six innings. He didn't allow a hit until Esteury Ruiz's two-out single in the fifth. Key moment The Dodgers broke a 1-all tie in the seventh and had a chance to extend their lead later in the inning, but Nick Mears retired Freeman on a grounder to first with the bases loaded. Key stat The Dodgers have lost six straight for the first time since April 2019. They have totaled 11 runs during the skid. Up next The Dodgers visit San Francisco on Friday. Likely starters are Dustin May (5-5, 4.82 ERA) for the Dodgers and Logan Webb (8-6, 2.62) for the Giants. The Brewers host Washington on Friday. Quinn Priester (6-2, 3.59) will start for Milwaukee. Mitchell Parker (5-9, 4.72) pitches for Washington. ___ AP MLB:
