What is the story about?
Finally, the sports cycle is over, and we can rest until mid-October. Thank you, LeBron Raymone. It’s about damn time.
- First things first. The Knicks have handled most of their offseason business while much of the league waited on LeBron James, but three major questions remain, writes SI’s Scott Davis. Who fills the final center spot? Are the Knicks trading any bench youngster? Will Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart or Miles McBride sign an extension before the season, and do so for a discount? Let us know in the comments section below!
- After leaving tons of money on the table a couple years ago and unlocking the Knicks’ title run, Jalen Brunson’s next contract is already becoming one of the NBA’s biggest storylines. ESPN’s Vince Goodwill expects JB to recoup more than the $100-plus million he sacrificed back then.
“Jalen Brunson is going to come get all of his money. Every bit that he won’t say sacrifice. Every dollar of that what $280 or $300 that he’s supposed to get next summer, he’s going to get all of that.”
- That hefty Brunson payday would certainly complicate the Knicks’ long-term plans, but so would Karl-Anthony Towns’ as he’s eligible for an extension. ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted New York sits only about $13 million below the second apron, making future negotiations with both stars as delicate as they come.
- That’s all Knicks content I have for you today. Disappointing, I know, but no more than LeBron James choosing to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, his fourth franchise and one he never got even close to having a relationship with, in the most glaring ring-chasing move ever pulled by the self-anointed Chosen 1.
- After all of the Knicks for Clicks, Kevin O’Connor is now reporting that Jalen Brunson never recruited LeBron to New York… Emphasis mine.
“The Knicks winning (the NBA championship) removed New York from the conversation for LeBron James. Jalen Brunson did not recruit LeBron. Jalen Brunson did not want LeBron James in New York,
according to my sources.“
- Andre Drummond better start forgetting about his Cheesteak days. Which we’re glad to report he’s successfully done.
- 42 years old or not, LeBron is still LeBron and surely not a bum. That means the Eastern Conference is at least a bit tougher heading into 2027 following James’ move from the Lakers. That said, The Athletic sees the Knicks as the team to beat in the League, which is shocking given every other outlet is seemingly paid by the NBA to rank OKC and SAS above the reigning champs.
- Example: ESPN, which kept the Knicks at No. 3 in their offseason power rankings, praising the value deals for Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson.
- Stephen A. Smith believes Philadelphia now sits alongside New York as the conference favorite. Newsday argued the Sixers may have won the summer on paper, but the Knicks remain the champions on the court.
- NYP’s Mike Vaccaro, on the other end, isn’t convinced Philadelphia is New York’s biggest obstacle at all. Vac’s rank: Indiana, Boston, Philly, Detroit, Miami.
- Back to James, the truth is he is signing a historic two-year, $8 million contract with Philly (second year a player option) as he moved from making $52.63 million to earning only $3.88 million next year, thus leaving more than $48 million on the table compared to his previous salary. Is this opening a new era of Vet-Min HOFers?
- Get ready for two, not one, more years of LBJ gracing your streaming device of preference. Shams said there is a strong likelihood LeBron will continue playing through at least the 2027-28 season rather than retiring next summer.
- Per reports, LeBron is so desperate for another ring as Philly as a damn whole was for landing him.
- According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James needed his entire family’s approval before committing to Philadelphia.
- Gilbert Arenas doesn’t believe that’s the case.
- Rich Paul told ESPN that Bronny and LBJ are “not a package deal” anymore. Cold world, young Bron.
- President Donald Trump weighed in on the GOAT debate. Guess his pick:
“Maybe he’s a racist. But maybe he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.”
