Fansided

NBA Rumors: New York Knicks hope to land LeBron James in 2015

By Andrew Melnick

Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is pressured by Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 102-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is pressured by Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 102-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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After the New York Knicks landed big man Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010, they hoped to use him to lure then Cleveland Cavaliers’ free agent forward LeBron James to New York to play with Stoudemire in what many consider to be the basketball capital of the world.

Instead, James teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and the rest is history.

Now that James can once again become a free agent in 2014, the Knicks are hoping he decides against opting out of his contract and instead plays out the final year of his five-year deal with the Heat in the 2014-15 season.

The reason? The Knicks believe they can clear space and make themselves a realistic option for James by that time. Ian Begley of ESPN New York doesn’t seem to share those thoughts.

"It’s hard to see the Knicks putting themselves in position to contend year in and year out by the summer of 2015.If they re-sign Carmelo Anthony, maybe they can sell James on a tandem of he and Anthony (and a first-round pick, J.R. Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr., Iman Shumpert) being surrounded by accomplished veterans willing to accept veteran’s minimum contracts.If you’re James, would you be interested in that situation?"

James, who is making a run as his third straight NBA title while the Knicks are facing a lot of uncertainly because they have not hired a coach and because Carmelo Anthony’s likely free agency.