NBA Trade Rumors: Two Insiders Predict LeBron James Landing on $9.85B Eastern Conference Contender in Realistic Scenario 

NBA: New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn
NBA Trade Rumors: Two Insiders Predict LeBron James Landing on $9.85B Eastern Conference Contender in Realistic Scenario (Image Source: Imagn)

LeBron James trade rumors resurfaced after a report emerged that he would evaluate his options with the Lakers while sidelined with sciatica. According to NBA insider Dave McMenamin, if James saw the Lakers struggle in his absence, he would consider requesting a trade.

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However, James is on an expiring contract, making $52.6 million this season. While potential suitors would have wanted him to agree to a buyout and sign a minimum deal, that will not be possible midseason. Most contenders are apron teams, prohibiting them from signing players who made more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception via buyout.

If James is hellbent on a move before the deadline, it would likely have to be via trade. His options would be limited then, too.

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However, insiders Kevin O'Connor and Bobby Marks agreed that one destination would make sense: the New York Knicks, who are valued at $9.85 billion (per Sportico).

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"If it was a straight trade, you always think New York, potentially," Marks said.
"I think the Knicks (too)," O'Connor added.
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Marks and O'Connor pointed out that the Knicks have the contracts to match salaries. They won't have to gut their roster as much as some of the other teams would, making New York a No. 1 candidate.

O'Connor also believes that the Knicks make sense from an on-court fit perspective. He highlighted James' affinity for Madison Square Garden as another potential reason he could prefer a trade to New York.


What a potential LeBron James to Knicks trade could look like

The New York Knicks would have to drastically fall off to consider trading for LeBron James. It would also require the superstar's sign-off, as he has a no-trade clause. If the LA Lakers do well, James would probably prefer to stay put, closer to his family at 41.

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However, if all the factors align and a potential trade is on the cards, here are a couple of frameworks the Knicks and Lakers could discuss:

#1 A straight LeBron James for Karl-Anthony Towns swap

The most direct trade for the Knicks and Lakers would be to swap LeBron James for Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns is expected to primarily play at the power forward spot, which has been James' natural position for the majority of his Lakers tenure.

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Towns has been exceptional for the Knicks, but if they were to make a massive trades, he could be the first domino to fall.

#2 LeBron and Bronny head to New York for a package of Josh Hart and OG Anunoby

Another possible trade that involves multiple moving pieces could see LeBron James and his son, Bronny, moving to New York, while LA lands OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. To make the salaries and positional fits work, Jake LaRavia could also be sent to the Knicks.

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Edited by Arhaan Raje
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