Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James is set to become one of the top unrestricted free agents this upcoming summer. With speculative frustration amongst Lakers brass and the want to build a more future-focused roster around All-Star point guard Luka Doncic, it seems highly likely that this could be James’ last season in Los Angeles.
With growing rumors about a possible reunion, James could be set for one final run with the Cleveland Cavaliers – singing his swan song as a member of his hometown team that drafted him, welcomed him back after four years in Miami, and celebrated the 2016 championship he delivered upon his return.
While the storybook ending of returning to Cleveland has picked up steam, the idea of James’ going somewhere else has been on the table. One of those places being the New York Knicks according to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus. At age 41, James is averaging 21.7 points, 7 assists and 5.7 rebounds in his 23rd NBA season and as a member of the Knicks, he could be the missing piece for yet another franchise looking to return to glory.
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The issue for both of these Eastern conference contenders isn’t about putting together a strong sales pitch and more about financial constraint. For the Cavaliers, they are projected to operate above the second apron next season. The Knicks are not far behind, currently sitting above the first apron and just below the second apron. This limitation could restrict James to only be able to sign with either team through the veteran minimum salary near $3.9 million.
Cleveland radio host Anthony Lima reported that streaming companies could pay between $40-75 million for exclusive rights to James’ farewell tour. In short, James could sign a minimum deal and still out-earn most athletes globally through media and sponsorship deals.
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Unlike Cleveland, the Knicks offer a massive media market without the emotional baggage of a homecoming narrative. Madison Square Garden also remains the league’s premier stage. Notably, a recent Lakers-Knicks matchup drew 4.5 million viewers, the most-watched non-holiday NBA game of the season.
By joining an already top team in the East led by all-star guard Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, James would enter a winning situation with similar historic notoriety as the Lakers. He already brought a championship to Cleveland. With that history already made, the 41-year-old’s next career defining feat could be helping bring the Big Apple their first title in over five decades.
