Rumors have swirled around whether Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will request a trade from his team in search of one final championship run before he retires.
The New York Knicks have come up as a top contender should James request a trade, and as SI's Chris Mannix notes, they have the pieces to make it happen.
Here are three trade proposals that would get James - along with his son, Bronny - to New York.
1. Star Swap
Lakers receive:
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Ariel Hukporti
Knicks receive:
- LeBron James
- Bronny James
This is the simplest option as Towns and LeBron's 2025 salaries ($53.1 million and $52.6 million, respectively) are very close. Hukporti gets tossed in as another minimum salary to match Bronny's. The Knicks get a second reliable, experienced player to help them make another deep playoff run (Towns struggled in some key moments this year in the playoffs), while the Lakers get a great offensive big man to pair with Luka Doncic for the foreseeable future.
2. Cashing In Assets
Lakers receive:
- Mikal Bridges
- Josh Hart
- Mitchell Robinson
- NYK 2026 unprotected 1st
Knicks receive:
- LeBron James
- Bronny James
This one allows the Knicks to keep their second star in Towns while moving some expiring contracts in Bridges and Robinson. The Lakers get optimal role players to pair with Doncic as well as some draft capital, and they have cap space to extend Bridges and/or Robinson.
MORE: Eastern Conference contender could be 'logical' destination for LeBron James
3. The Big One
Lakers receive:
- OG Anunoby
- Walker Kessler
- Josh Green
Charlotte Hornets receive:
- Mikal Bridges
- John Collins
Utah Jazz receive:
- Miles Bridges
- Tidjane Salaun
- Miles "Deuce" McBride
- CHA protected 2027 1st
- CHA 2028 1st round pick swap
Knicks receive:
- LeBron James
- Austin Reaves
- Bronny James
- 2026 LAL 1st round pick swap
This one is a doozy. The Lakers get their White Whale of a young center in Kessler plus another All-Star caliber wing in Anunoby with one of Doncic's old friends in Green. The Hornets establish themselves as a true playoff-caliber team in the East by acquiring Collins and swapping out guys named M. Bridges. The Jazz get a slew of young picks/assets plus another movable veteran in Miles Bridges. The Knicks get the James duo as well as another promising creator in Reaves for a pretty cheap salary (13.9 million).
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