For the fourth time in his career, LeBron James is a free agent and available to join any team he desires. James and his team are currently fielding offers and weighing all options. Those closest to James believe his decision will come down to happiness over money.
Always left as a “What if?” part of his career, the New York Knicks, a marquee franchise in the biggest market who have courted James at least once before, have reached out again, as confirmed by his agent Rich Paul. But also according to Paul, the Knicks becoming a championship organization for the first time in 53 years on their own may now serve as a negative in their pursuit of James.
Becoming champions on their own means LeBron James has to say no to the Kicks
“It’s difficult… If the Knicks hadn’t won, there’d be on board. He’d be going to the Knicks… Jalen Brunson would have to pick up the phone and say, ‘It’s no issue with me.’ You want to respect what those guys have built. It’s Jalen Brunson’s show. He’s earned that right. You want to respect that,” explained Paul.
And he’s right. As intriguing and cinematic as James on the Knicks would be no matter what circumstance, he simply can’t do it now. The “What if?” story between one of the game’s greatest players and the franchise that plays its home games in the most famous arena will have to live on forever.
LeBron James would never get credit for anything he would accomplish with the Knicks
Because if James jumps aboard the Knicks as the reigning champions, especially coming off such an historically dominant postseason run, he will be destined to never receive credit for anything he accomplishes in New York and he will shoulder all of the blame for any result shy of completing back-to-back titles, fair or not.
