LeBron James wants to cement his status as the greatest basketball player ever. Such is his drive at the age of 39 that he wants his team to provide him the opportunity to achieve that goal. James wants the Los Angeles Lakers to do everything in their power to improve the team. Already seemingly frustrated with the current scenario, James used a never-before-seen move to draw more attention from the Lakers. He used the New York Knicks as bait.
After the game against the New York Knicks, James decided to don the Knicks towel over his shoulders while speaking with reporters on the court. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, James used the move to put pressure on the Lakers. Windhorst said this on the Hoop Collective podcast;
Why would he mess with the Knicks? Because he was using the Knicks as a tool to pressure the Laker.
Windhorst believes James has already been linked to the Knicks several times. But this time, the rumors are growing louder. James is trying everything in his power to make the Lakers do something before the trade deadline.
The rumors linking LeBron James and the Knicks grew louder when Windhorst’s colleague at ESPN, Stephen A. Smith talked about a trade resulting in James playing at the Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have a plethora of draft picks. The Lakers need draft capital to get high-ranked rookies. Moreover, on the Knicks, James can compete for at least a few championships.
James’ agent Rich Paul publicly quashed rumors that James is seeking a trade away. However, that statement only added to the rumors. Paul recently mended his relationship with the Knicks front office, something that has been strained for the past decade. All these events point in the Knicks’ direction.
LeBron James has a monster contract this year. The Lakers are paying him $47 million this year, fully guaranteed. The New York Knicks are currently sitting at $160 million in salaries. The top-heavy salaries make it difficult for the Knicks to bring James. Losing any of their top players for James is not something the Knicks want to do. However, it is not that they cannot maneuver around the cap limits.
Next year, however, things will take a turn. James has a player option. And the deadline is a few days after the 2024 draft. So if his son, Bronny James were to be drafted by a team, chances are that James Sr. would go there.
Next year, the Knicks have more maneuverability and room to bring James and his $51 million contract. So, the intrigue surrounding James’ future will not stop anytime soon.
