The New York Knicks have emerged as a dark-horse contender in the LeBron James trade sweepstakes, according to the latest odds released by Bovada. The Knicks now hold the fourth-best odds (+550) to land the Los Angeles Lakers superstar if he’s traded midseason.
The Dallas Mavericks (-120) remain the betting favorite to acquire the four-time MVP, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers (+350) — James’ former team — and the Golden State Warriors (+450). Rounding out the top six are the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns at +900 apiece.
The Knicks’ surge in the betting market underscores both uncertainty about LeBron’s future in Los Angeles and New York’s rising profile as a legitimate Eastern Conference contender under team president Leon Rose, James’ former agent.
LeBron’s Contract Situation Adds Fuel to Knicks Rumors
James, who turns 41 in December, is entering the final year of his contract after picking up his $52.6 million player option last summer. His long-term future in Los Angeles remains murky — especially after the Lakers pivoted to build around Luka Dončić, who signed a three-year, $165 million extension to anchor the team’s future.
In June, James’ current agent Rich Paul reignited speculation about LeBron’s next move with comments on ESPN suggesting his client could explore other options if the Lakers don’t contend.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future … We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”
Paul later clarified that James hadn’t requested a trade, but his remarks did little to quiet speculation about LeBron’s potential exit. With the Lakers transitioning toward Dončić’s prime years, James’ path forward looks increasingly uncertain.
James is currently sidelined with sciatica and expected to miss three to four weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“LeBron’s gonna be watching while he’s out,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said on NBA Today. “If they’re struggling, that could lead to the next step — maybe he’s gonna have to go elsewhere to find that winning combination.”
LeBron’s Knicks Connection Dates Back to 2010
While a trade to New York remains a long shot, James’ fascination with the Knicks stretches back more than a decade. During his 2010 free agency — the infamous “Decision” summer — the Knicks were among the teams he seriously considered.
“During my free agency period in 2010, it was one of the teams that I looked at,” James told reporters in February 2024. “So I’ve had that thought in my career.”
Ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, James further fueled speculation with a series of cryptic X posts and a viral moment in which he held a Knicks towel during a postgame interview at Madison Square Garden.
That public flirtation caught the attention of fans and media alike, though insiders told The Athletic that Knicks management never seriously pursued the idea.
“Despite the focus on James’ trip to New York, where he sent all sorts of pro-Knicks signals, the Knicks’ front office did not discuss the prospect of adding James,” the report stated. “They lack the salary-cap flexibility to make it feasible — and freeing up space would undermine their long-term plan.”
Knicks, Cavs, and Mavs Monitoring LeBron’s Future
According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, the Knicks are one of several teams — along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks — monitoring James’ situation closely and potentially waiting for a buyout scenario if his Lakers tenure ends on a sour note.
“Most teams, according to league sources, are waiting to see if James is bought out before next season,” Irwin reported in July.
For now, no buyout appears imminent, but league insiders believe New York could become a real player if LeBron ever chooses to finish his career on the East Coast — particularly after Paul and Rose reconciled their long-standing rift.
A LeBron-to-New York move would give him the chance to end the Knicks’ 50-year championship drought and cement his legacy.
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