LeBron James Reveals He Nearly Signed With the Knicks

LeBron James is officially a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, but on Monday he revealed that his NBA future nearly took a very different path.

During 76ers media day, James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he had envisioned finishing his legendary career with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

“I had visions of playing in the Garden and finishing my career in the Garden,” James said.

James explained that New York was seriously on his mind during free agency. However, the Knicks’ championship run ultimately changed everything.

The Knicks’ Championship Changed His Mind

The Knicks won the NBA championship in June, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals and ending a 53-year championship drought.

After watching New York finally win it all, James decided he could not join the team immediately afterward.

“But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t,'” James said.

James explained that he believed the backlash surrounding him joining the defending champions would have been overwhelming.

“Y’all wouldn’t have let me lay that down, at all,” James said, referring to the media and public reaction.

Instead, James ultimately chose Philadelphia.

LeBron Had a Different Free Agent List

James revealed that his final free-agency decision came down to five teams: the 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Knicks were not officially part of that final group, but James acknowledged that New York had been a serious possibility before the championship.

His decision to sign with Philadelphia gave him an opportunity to play alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid while joining a team that believes it can compete for a championship.

James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers this offseason.

A Different Ending in New York

For Knicks fans, James’ comments provide an interesting look at what could have been.

Madison Square Garden has long been one of the most iconic venues in basketball, and James specifically called it the best arena in the world for a basketball player.

Instead of finishing his career in New York, James will begin his 24th NBA season in Philadelphia.

He will still have plenty of opportunities to play at Madison Square Garden, including Philadelphia’s regular-season matchup against the Knicks.

The biggest twist is that the Knicks’ championship the accomplishment that ended more than five decades of frustration for the franchise may have been the very thing that kept LeBron James from joining them.

For now, Lebron will wear a 76ers jersey.

But Monday’s revelation made it clear that a LeBron-Knicks chapter was much closer to happening than many people realized.