The Los Angeles Lakers always find a way to stay in the news.
Then again, the same can be said about LeBron James.
Most NBA observers figured the Lakers would undergo a fairly predictable offseason. Armed with two megastars in Luka Dončić and James, the plan for Los Angeles all along was to snag a starting center. The Lakers have done that (by signing Deandre Ayton), but suddenly, a much more pressing issue has arisen: James might be on his way out of town.
In the hours after James picked up his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26, James’ agent, Klutch Sports Group’s Rich Paul, released the following odd statement (per The Athletic):
“LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, and he also wants to compete for championships. We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with (the Lakers).”
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Not surprisingly, the NBA media universe erupted with speculation in response to Paul’s cryptic remarks. Trade machines went wild, and The Athletic’s Fred Katz even proposed five potential landing spots for James. Among Katz’s fits for James? The New York Knicks.
Katz argued that while “the Knicks could construct various types of offers for James,” a straight-up swap for Karl-Anthony Towns would make the most sense.
“New York owes Towns $110 million over the next two seasons,” Katz wrote. “The five-time All-Star has a $61 million player option for 2027-28. Meanwhile, the Knicks are at risk of climbing into the second apron next season … James could double as a basketball fit, as well as a giant expiring contract to avoid the second apron in 2026-27 and maybe beyond. In Los Angeles, Towns and Dončić could destroy any defense they face.”
There would surely be downsides to this deal for the Knicks. Not only would they be left thin at center (Mitchell Robinson’s health is never certain), but New York’s timeline would be out of whack by acquiring a player (James) who will turn 41 in December. Ultimately, these factors make a LeBron-to-New York trade unlikely.
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“The Knicks are … made up of prime-aged contributors,” Katz continued. “This (trade) would make them older … a James trade to the Knicks, even in a world where both he and the Lakers agree it’s best for the two to part ways after seven years, isn’t likely. The Knicks didn’t get in on the hunt for Kevin Durant. Like so many others, they could be saving up salary and assets for a guy in Milwaukee.”
The most likely outcome for James is a return to the Lakers. But this recent media circus — spawned by James and Paul — shows just how media-savvy James has become during his time in Hollywood.
