ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Pitches Blockbuster LeBron James Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers appear poised to be active at the NBA trade deadline. But does that mean that the franchise could move on from cornerstone LeBron James?

His agent, Rich Paul, said Friday that James would not be traded. But that doesn’t mean that NBA analysts and fans alike can’t fire up the trade machine. 

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, a diehard New York Knicks fan, believes that New York should be in play if James is on the trade block.

“If LeBron James wants to put himself into position to win a championship, get traded to the New York Knicks,” Smith said on Friday’s episode of First Take. “Center stage. Madison Square Garden. The mecca! You see that defense? You see Tom Thibodeaux coaching this defense? Did you see that brother Jalen Brunson and what he does? Do you see Julius Randle and the workhorse that he is?”

Smith understands the magnitude of donning a Lakers jersey and playing for that franchise. However, if James ever wanted to leave Los Angeles, Smith thinks that playing for the Knicks could provide James with a similar experience. In addition, he thinks the Knicks have the draft assets to provide what the Lakers would be looking for in any potential trade.

“There’s very few things that are more valuable than Tinseltown, la-la, Los Angeles, California, purple and gold,” Smith continued. “But if you ever wanted to leave, the New York Knicks got 11 picks over the next seven years. If you’re the Los Angeles Lakers, you need picks! You need personnel. … You need picks and personnel. Who’s the one team that can give you some of that? It’s the New York Knicks!”

ESPN NBA reporter Brian Windhorst listened to Smith’s impassioned rant with a smile on his face, but that doesn’t mean he agrees with his colleague.

“I’m just gonna say three things, Molly,” Windhorst told host Molly Qerim said as he began his rebuttal. “LeBron is building a $100 million compound in Beverly Hills. Two, that option next year for LeBron is $50 million. Five-zero. And three, LeBron’s opt-in deadline is June 29th. The draft is June 26th and 27th. Keep that in mind.”

While Windhorst didn’t outright reject Smith’s notion, it’s clear Windhorst doesn’t think it’s likely. 

Although Smith can dream, it’s unlikely that the 39-year-old James will be donning blue and orange at Madison Square Garden anytime soon.