Proposed Knicks-Lakers Trade Swaps LeBron James, Julius Randle
The New York Knicks will be going star-hunting this offseason and the brightest of all could linger on the free agency board this time around.
Bleacher Report's ranking of the top 25 potential free-agents-to-be pitched an idea that would have LeBron James work out a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, one that would send to New York for the primary price of Julius Randle, one of the Knicks' undisputed franchise faces.
"To the best of his ability, James will probably direct where his son lands. Perhaps that's with the Lakers, though some around the league speculate it'll be with the New York Knicks," Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus writes. "If so, James would probably opt in and orchestrate a trade from the Lakers (perhaps with Julius Randle, other salaries, and picks to Los Angeles)."
Having made no secrets about his love of playing in New York, James has been seemingly linked to the Knicks every time he's looking for a chance of scenery. Things reached a fever pitch in 2010 but he ultimately took his talents to South Beach to join the Miami Heat.
James ending his career in New York probably sounds too good to be true, especially if it means dealing away Randle, whose value has been apparent in his absence, as the Knicks have gone 6-8 since he went down with a dislocated shoulder. But the current state of the Knicks hints that James might still be able to be a difference-maker.
The Lakers are fighting for a Play-In spot while the Knicks are in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference and are truly one player away from being a legitimate contender. Even at 40, James could elevate the Knicks and be that final piece that turns New York from a pretender to a contender, especially if he keeps up
In the meantime, the Knicks will look to get back on track after dropping eight of 11, returning to action on Sunday evening against the Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET, MSG/ESPN).
