LeBron James pretty much turned the NBA world upside down when he announced to the world that he’d be parting ways with the Los Angeles Lakers after an eventful eight seasons.
It’ll be strange to see James in something other than Lakers gear. He helped lead the franchise to its 17th NBA championship in 2020 and was named the NBA Finals MVP that year. He also became the league’s all-time leading scorer while with the Lakers.
So now the question is: where will James land? Some think the New York Knicks could be interested, and here’s why.
Could LeBron James Be a Sneaky-Good Signing for the Knicks?
LeBron James Could Be Willing to Take a Pay Cut for the New York Knicks
Sure, it seems unlikely that the Knicks would shell out the bag to land James. But, stranger things have happened.
James has indicated that he wants to be with a team that can win a championship. The Knicks just did that, and they want to do it again. If James really wants to step into a situation where he can win a championship this season, not next season, when he may retire, the Knicks could be that team.
What team better to join than the one that just won the NBA title? There’s no way the thought hasn’t crossed James’ mind, and the same is likely true for the Knicks.
Like the Lakers, the Knicks are a storied franchise. Also, like the Lakers, they’re a big-market franchise. They get the media attention that’s worthy of a player like James, and that makes a difference.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported this week that James is willing to take a minimum contract if it means joining a contending team. Charania also said that it wouldn’t be a “financially-driven decision.” Let’s face it: James already has enough money. He’s doing this for the love of the sport and wanting to win another championship. So, if James is willing to take a pay cut for the Knicks, that might be an offer they can’t refuse.
Would the Dollars and Cents Add Up?
So, even if James is willing to take a pay cut, would he be willing to go as low as the Knicks would need? That’s a bigger question. James was making around $50 million last season alone with the Lakers. The Knicks don’t have the flexibility to offer him that kind of deal.
Instead, New York can do a $2.45 million veteran minimum exception, according to research from ESPN’s Bobby Marks. If the Knicks pay James that, it would allow the team to add the star player without going over the second apron.
That’s a huge pay cut. For someone like James, it’s almost like playing for free. Well, not quite, but going from $50 million to around $2.5 million is a massive dip.
But, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, who named the Knicks as a potential team for James, the former Laker has a “deep fondness for Madison Square Garden.” If he really wants to play there every night and also win a championship, there’s only one team he can do both of those things through.
The Mutual Interest May Be There Between LeBron James and the Knicks
The Knicks have been almost completely off the radar when it comes to the James talk. Hardly anyone has seriously linked these two, mainly because of money, but also because the Knicks’ roster is pretty.
Would there even be mutual interest? Possibly. On Thursday, July 2, NBA insider Jake Fischer said during a Bleacher Report livestream that the Knicks, indeed, “have shown some interest in LeBron James.”
Jake Fischer reports the Knicks have shown interest in LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/ciJXpDVHwH
— Mid Knicks (@knicksaremid) July 2, 2026
If James is willing to take that pay cut and the Knicks can convince him that they still have their strong core to win a championship, despite losing center Mitchell Robinson in free agency, this could be a match made in NBA heaven.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
