The New York Knicks could be one of the favorites to land LeBron James in this summer's free agency, with the three-time NBA champ expected to opt out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After giving Cleveland its first major championship in 52 years and the Cavs' first in franchise history, all eyes shift to James' next potential destination this summer, with the "King" projected to opt out of his two-year $46.9 million deal with the Cavs. While there will certainly be plenty of teams ready to pounce at luring James in free agency, the Knicks are a "no-brainer" for the Cavs star to consider, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman.
"So there's no doubt James eventually will have a wandering eye, and he's on record as saying the Garden is his favorite building and that he wished he could play all 82 games there. It's just a matter of when," Berman wrote. "It's a no-brainer."
It would be intriguing to see James wearing a Knicks jersey and play alongside his good friend Carmelo Anthony, who has yet to win a championship in his career. The Big market of New York will no doubt be a factor to anyone considering the Knicks, as well as Kristaps Porzingis' promising talent to become a perennial All-Star.
Acquiring James would also make New York a top free agent destination, especially after witnessing how LBJ wheeled the Cavs to their first world championship. But while the Knicks have enough cap space to offer James a max deal, presumptively, if they land James, it leaves them without any money to spend on other key free agents.
Also, other big market teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, who have more than enough salary cap space to sign two max players, could be more enticing for James.
In an interview with Bleacher Report's Howard Beck earlier this year, James revealed that at some point before his career is over, he is pondering about creating a superteam with Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul, which could happen in LA, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. And between the two NBA teams in Los Angeles, the Lakers are in the best position to cater such formidable team of LeBron and his bros.
There is no denying James' ability to almost single-handedly carry a team to an NBA championship, which makes him a main target for teams like the Knicks, who have been without a title for more than 40 years. If Anthony and the bright lights of New York could lure James, they are probably the next reclamation project for one of the greatest players in NBA history.