As the Knicks are enjoying their summer as reigning champs, NBA free agency and the rumor mill that comes with it is already in full swing.
And apparently, if New York didn’t beat the San Antonio Spurs to win their first title since 1973, they’d be the top choice for the biggest free agent on the market — LeBron James.
James’ agent Rich Paul told Max Kellerman in a sit down interview that James would have chosen to sign with the Knicks if they didn’t win the 2026 NBA Finals.
“I think it’s difficult, right? Because the last thing you want to do is mess up something like that. The Knicks has a good thing going. If the Knicks hadn’t won, there would be no board. He’d be going to the Knicks,” Paul said.
Paul shared a whiteboard of potential destinations for James with reasoning for each, showing that he’s mainly considering the Philadelphia 76ers, Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Cleveland Cavaliers as his next team. The secondary teams shown include the Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and Spurs.
While the idea of James playing for New York has been rumored multiple times since 2010 (when James infamously made “The Decision” to go to the Miami Heat), Paul made it sound like it would have happened this summer.
“Jalen Brunson would literally have to pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey man, there’s no issue with me.’ And I’m not saying that would make his decision… They (Knicks) have checked in,” Paul said.
Although, SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley reported late Thursday night that the Knicks “should not be seen as a potential destination for James” and are “very happy with the core of their roster.” Begley notes that the Warriors, Heat, Cavaliers and Sixers are viewed as teams with serious interest in the future Hall of Famer.
James, who will turn 42 at the end of December, announced on June 30 that he’ll be leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons and choose a new team for the 2026-27 season. He is expected to play at least one more year in the NBA, but where that will be remains to be seen.
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