LeBron James is in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, and a lot has been made about his future in the NBA.
Officially, nobody knows what James’ next move will be. The superstar has stayed quiet about what his plans are after the 2025-26 season, and while rumors of a return to the Lakers, a move back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, or a jump to a completely new team have all been in the mix for the 41-year-old.
However, speaking on NBA Today, former James teammate and champion, Kendrick Perkins, urged the star to join the New York Knicks in the final stage of his career.
Ex-LeBron James Urges Lakers Star To Jump Ship To New York Knicks
Perkins, when discussing the uncertain future of James and the current pressure on this Knicks team to live up to expectations, said that he thinks it would be good for the game of basketball.
“If I’m Lebron I would really really consider going to play my last year with the New York Knicks. Could you imagine what that would do for the game of basketball, for the NBA?” Perkins said. “The Knicks still have a roster, where… (they) would still have a legitimate shot at making a run…(LeBron) still has a lot in the tank, he can go still go out and give you 20, five, and five.”
New York has been one of the teams James has been linked to in his free agency this summer.
According to Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, the Knicks could be in the mix to land the oldest player in the NBA over the offseason.
“James had relationships with several figures on the Knicks. Mike Brown coached him to his first Finals appearance in 2007 and in two of his four MVP seasons,” the insiders wrote. “Knicks president Leon Rose was James’ agent. And William Wesley, aka World Wide Wes, who is an executive vice president and senior basketball adviser for New York, has had a connection with James since his teenage years.”
James signing with any team, including the Lakers, would likely include him having to take a heavy pay cut from the $52.6 million he’s making this season.
But still, with James’ future still undecided, or at least yet to be confirmed, rumors of him leaving the Lakers to go to a team like the Knicks can’t be ruled out.
LeBron James With The Lakers In Year 23
While James has certainly taken a step back in terms of performance, he remains a solid player, as shown in his role in Los Angeles this season.
He was named an All-Star, and in 57 games, has averaged 20.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists on 51.2% shooting. The injuries have played a big part in his season, but despite being the oldest player in the league, he is still an asset that a team like the Lakers or Knicks would love to have.
Now, with the injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, James is back as the on-court leader for Los Angeles. The team is currently 50-29 and likely to play the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
If they win that series, the Lakers could be getting back Doncic and Reaves, but for now, it’s back to the 41-year-old’s team for the time being.
Ex-LeBron James Teammate Urges Lakers Star To Jump Ship In Free Agency