At one point, LeBron James wanted to shoot his shot with the New York Knicks.
Indeed, before the legendary athlete joined the Philadelphia 76ers following an eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers, he considered signing with this year’s NBA champs.
“I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden and finishing my career in the Garden,” James told ESPN Sept. 28 during the 76ers’ annual media day. “One of the best places I’ve ever played.”
He added, “I think it’s the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player.”
But after the Knicks took home the 2026 NBA championship title against the San Antonio Spurs June 11, the 41-year-old had a change of heart, recalling, “I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t.’ I couldn’t do it.”
“Y’all wouldn’t have let me lay that down, at all,” James said referring to the media backlash he would have gotten if he’d joined the New York team after they’d won it all. “But much respect to the Knicks, obviously.”
“An unbelievable team, unbelievable players. Shout out Jalen Brunson,” he added. “I love that guy, he’s unbelievable.”
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