LeBron James to Knicks in 2010 as a Free Agent?
The King headed to the Big Apple?
It's not fair to the Cleveland franchise but that's just the way things often go in the NBA, which is the biggest superstar-driven sport on the entire planet.
Speculation about LeBron James going to the New York Knicks in 2010 centers around a few different ideas.
Knicks Clear Cap Space for James in 2010
The trades of Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph make little-to-no-sense for the New York Knicks from a competitive standpoint, especially the trading of Crawford.
Crawford has his faults but he is a talented, explosive offensive playmaker who fits pretty decently in Mark D'Antoni's run and gun offensive system with the Knicks. Losing him for the 2008-2009 season will assuredly make the Knicks a much worse basketball team.
They weren't doing great early on but they were setting up to be a possible part of the playoff chase.
Randolph's trade is more understandable because he is owed big money through 2010-2011 and the Knicks don't really need him now. He is a talented player but not necessarily a winning one as he doesn't play defense all that well or block a whole lot of shots down low.
The trades were clearly made in order to get expiring contracts back in return for 2010 and that's exactly what the New York Knicks did.
Knicks Money Situation for King James
LeBron James should easily be able to fit under the cap for the New York Knicks in 2010 if they continue at their current rate and continue to shed contracts.
Most people thought this was impossible considering all the bad deals the Knicks had made in recent years and how far over the cap they were but it all seems to be coming together for a run at LeBron in 2010.
LeBron "Two Words: Global Icon"
LeBron has big goals as a basketball player and an entertainer and it seems as if he wants to be the next Michael Jordan or perhaps even bigger.
James wants to be a big-time superstar known the world over and the sad truth of the matter is that playing for humble Cleveland is not going to allow him to do that. New Yorkers come from all walks of life and many different countries and playing in New York would help LeBron achieve his stated goal of truly becoming a global icon.
LeBron a Knick in 2010 for Sure?
The one thing that would stop James from going to New York would be his loyalty to Ohio. He came from nearby Akron and he desperately wants to give his title-starved home state fans a title before he goes.
If James wins a title before 2010 then it would probably increase his chances of going to the Knicks.
But if not he might instead opt to see the mission through before perhaps bolting a bit later on. If LeBron thinks the Cavs are making the right steps in surrounding him with All-Star-caliber talent he might even sign a one or two-year contract and try to make another run before going to the Knicks or other big market team.
Knicks Cap in 2010
The Knicks might even have enough money to get two superstars in 2010.
How does Dwyane Wade and/or Chris Bosh along with LeBron James sound? Like a nightmare for the Eastern Conference, of course.
We've seen NBA stars in the past make sacrifices to be on great teams before because they enjoy having some of the pressure taken off of them. See Gary Payton and Karl Malone in 2004 with the Lakers.
Regardless of what happens with the Knicks in 2010, they will have a ton of money and they will get at least one star-caliber player. Whether or not that star is LeBron in 2010 remains to be seen for Knicks fans. Until then, they're probably more worried about the present and whether they can avoid the lottery (but maybe they want to the Knicks get a top draft pick instead).
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