It has been nearly 15 years since the New York Knicks tried going all-in 2010 to chase the biggest free agent in the world in LeBron James. We all know how that ended, with “The Decision,” a Miami Heat superteam, and New York left empty-handed.
The Knicks fumbled the bag at that and missed out on a true headliner, and they have never fully lived down that summer. Now, luckily for them in 2025, the opportunity they have been waiting for might actually be back on the table
The Lakers could deal Lebron James
LeBron James is heading into his 23rd NBA season. He is 40 years old, and while he is still playing at an incredibly high level, the Los Angeles Lakers may be ready to turn the page.
They were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and with the West more competitive than ever, it is fair to ask “is another title in L.A. really realistic?” Yes they have Luka Doncic, but the rest of the team’s roster is not deep enough at the moment to truly compete.
For both sides, a split might finally make sense. And for the Knicks? Well, they should be licking their chops, because this could be the moment they have waited 15 years for. The most realistic trade package could be a LeBron for Karl-Anthony Towns deal.
From a roster standpoint, it checks out. The Knicks have depth at the big spot. Mitchell Robinson is still there, and Guerschon Yabusele could eat minutes. And if worst comes to worst, their front office could find a cheap veteran big on the market like Trey Lyles.
The Knicks have the bigs, but what don’t they have?
What they do not have is another playmaker who can help Jalen Brunson carry the offense in crunch time. LeBron still offers that, and then some. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and made the All-NBA Second Team last season. Of course he is not what he was 10 years ago, but he is still better than almost anyone else out there
Lebron has connections in the Big Apple
The Knicks recently hired former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown to run the show. Brown coached LeBron for five years in Cleveland, and this starts to look more like destiny than rumor. They have got unfinished business. And with Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton both reportedly out for the year, the East is more open than it is been in a long time.
Imagine Madison Square Garden, finally hosting the biggest superstar in the league’s history. It is what the Knicks wanted in 2010, and somehow, it might still be possible in 2025. If there was ever a time for New York to go all-in, this is it.