NBA: Analysts Speculate LeBron James Could Leave Lakers For Knicks Or Nets

Speculations from analysts emerged claiming LeBron James might leave the Los Angeles Lakers for either the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets.

Whenever James is being mentioned in trade rumors, the whole league competes to be frontrunners. Even now that the NBA is on hiatus, some analysts speculate that James might consider leaving the Lakers for other teams.

Anthony Davis is expected to be pursued by teams after the season due to the expiration of one-year contract he signed with the Lakers. As early as now, pundits assume that should Davis decide to part ways with the “Purple and Gold,” James will be open for a trade as well.

According to a recent post by NBA podcast host and Bleacher Report journalist Preston Ellis, there is one blockbuster trade offer for every NBA team's top star that could happen once Davis opted out of LA. Ellis believes that James would consider reuniting with his championship buddy Kyrie Irving with the Nets to form another big three once Kevin Durant returns.

“If they did go that route, the Brooklyn Nets could put together an appealing package. Kyrie Irving has patched up his relationship with James, and the two already proved they could win a championship together in 2015-16. If Kevin Durant returns to form after tearing his Achilles during the 2019 NBA Finals, the Nets would boast the league’s best ‘Big Three’ by far,” Ellis wrote.

A slightly different scenario was suggested by Marc Berman of the New York Post. According to Berman, James would stick to his word when he said that the Madison Square Garden is his favorite arena to play in. Berman predicts that when James reached his final season, there’s a possibility that he might consider spending it with the Knicks.

“I will never rule this one out — especially for his last season before retiring. James has said the Garden is his favorite arena to play in. A lot depends not just on how his Lakers’ title journey pans out, but his son Bronny’s timetable,” Berman wrote.

Berman also noted that James has once said he wants to remain in the league until his son ‘Bronny’ gets to the NBA. Based on Berman’s perspective, ending his glorified career in New York, together with his son, will surely add glitter to his legacy.

“James, whose Lakers’ contract expires in 2022, would be 39 by then. He’s made no secret of wanting to play with his son. That would be a first in NBA history. James is very conscious of his legacy. Finishing it out in New York could add to his place in history,” Berman predicted.