Draft picks. They’re the NBA trade market’s currency. For a team so closely aligned with trading away their first-round picks, the New York Knicks have turned it around and put themselves in a position of power. They could have as many as four first-round picks this year, which they could use to draft potential prospects. But don’t they say old habits die hard? Well, if the LA Lakers come knocking, ready to offer LeBron James, would the Knicks take that chance?

“If LeBron wants a manicure, a pedicure, and a massage, you’re going to give him that.” This was the straightforward message Stephen A. Smith sent to Rob Pelinka in response to James’ rumored desire for a no-trade clause in a potential contract extension. But just a few weeks later, the analyst seems to have changed his mind. And a lot of it has to do with the Lakers’ playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.

LeBron James can sell tickets unlike anyone else right now. So, Smith understands the superstar value King James has. But he brought up something to think about, a reality check of sorts: “What good is it if you’re gonna be going home in the first round?” Before the Lakers‘ April 27 win over the Nuggets in Game 4, LeBron’s side was on an 11-game losing streak against them, which made Smith say, “The Denver Nuggets officially own the Los Angeles Lakers. For all we know, they got stock invested in the franchise, and they’re reaping the benefits from it.” 

The first game of their regular season. The day Kobe’s statue found a permanent home at the Crypto.com Arena. The day James scored his 40,000th point in the NBA. They all have one thing in common: the Lakers losing to Denver this season. Now at the brink of elimination – after being just one loss away from being swept by the Nuggets for a second consecutive year in the post-season – Stephen A. Smith feels it’s time for LA “to consider the unthinkable.” 

On the Stephen A. Smith Show, the analyst said, “See if you can convince him to go elsewhere, ’cause you ain’t gonna win no title with LeBron James. Not with Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and the Clippers coming up. Not with the Denver Nuggets being there. There’s too many good teams in the Western Conference.” Despite James’ non-inclination to leave the purple and gold, Smith made a promising case for the New York Knicks. At least for the Lakers.

Smith suggested a trade is possible “when you’ve got a team like the New York Knicks with 11 picks over the next 7 years. You go to them and say, ‘You know what? We don’t mind. You want Lebron at the guard and give us a couple of first-round picks and a player.'” That could work out for all three parties. For the Lakers, it would give them a crucial first-round pick, considering the Pelicans have the option to take theirs in 2024 or 2025 due to Anthony Davis’ trade. As for the Knicks, they’d have LeBron on their team to work alongside Jalen Brunson. And as for James, it could be a question of legacy.

The GOAT debate. Is it Michael Jordan or LeBron James? For Smith, “There’s nothing to talk about in the GOAT conversation if LeBron gets swept.” He didn’t. This time. But he did last year. While Jordan has been swept by the Celtics a couple of times, he’s “never got swept in a best-of-seven series. That’s never happened to Michael Jordan,” Smith noted. Also, considering what he said earlier about the Lakers not winning another ring with LeBron and the 39-year-old’s desire to stay in LA, he may end his career with only 4 championships compared to Jordan’s 6.

If he were to go to the Knicks, though, he’d be joining an already well-oiled setup that looks ready – or is at least on its way – to winning championships. Does this mean he won’t get swept by a team? Not really. But will he have a better chance of not getting swept? Likely. Since becoming the president of the Knicks in 2020, Leon Rose has ensured New York has no future first-round debts. Yet. But if that first debt were to come as a result of LeBron James joining the team, Rose likely wouldn’t mind it.

Coming back to reality. The Lakers are 1-3 against Denver and face an NBA history of no team coming back from a 0-3 disadvantage. James, in his first year of a $99 million 2-year contract, has a player option. This means he can opt out of California and head towards the concrete jungle. However, with what the mid-season rumor mill brought, the chances of that happening are slim.

LeBron James’ crew has already shunned a move away from LA

As Bronny James’ NBA entry cast uncertainty around the trade deadline, LeBron James’ potential change in jerseys was automatically dragged along. The rumors came in light of LeBron’s desire to share the NBA floor with his son. With that, fans expected James to be open to joining the team that will kickstart Bronny’s NBA career.

However, the loyal Lakers-first pundits suggested a workaround. Stephen A. Smith believes the Lakers swapping draft picks for their legend with the Knicks is the most viable option. This could also alter the ideology behind the ‘superstar treatment’ that prominently lives in the league. However, from a business front, it makes sense.

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Nevertheless, James’ close friend and agent, Rich Paul, shut down all the rumors surrounding James’ trade near the February deadline. The Klutch Sports president radiated James’ leaning towards the Lakers, hinting that he plans on ending his playing days in the franchise. However, that was when the Lakers’ goal was to climb up in the season standings and enable them for a playoff run.

A lot has changed now. The Lakers series against the Denver Nuggets demands a major shift if the team aims to reclaim their 2020 championship run-like dominance back.