The impact of Phil Jackson signing on to be the President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks is already starting to be felt around the NBA. Perhaps the most intriguing news to break since Jackson agreed to join the Knicks is superstar LeBron James considering signing with New York this summer.
According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, LeBron may choose to opt out of his deal this summer with New York a potential suitor:
James can opt out this summer and unless he signs a one-year deal or waits until 2015 to opt out, the Knicks have little chance of landing him.
But Dolan and Jackson can dream big. Heat executives, according to a source, are not convinced that James will stay, though in their heart of hearts they believe he will re-sign. But Jackson’s arrival changes things.
“There’s no way LeBron would have gone to New York under the current climate,” said a James confidant. “He had a falling-out with CAA (agency) and that was a problem as well. But with Phil there I think he will look at it.”
It is incredibly early to speculate the possibilities of the upcoming summer for the struggling Knicks franchise, but Jackson’s presence will be a game-changer that may be the missing piece to the puzzle.
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As of right now, the main concern for the Knicks is holding onto Carmelo Anthony, but if LeBron is available and willing to listen to a pitch from Jackson, everything changes moving forward.
With the addition of LeBron, the Knicks will instantly be contenders in the Eastern Conference and an attractive destination for other free agents in the future. Kevin Love might also be a possibility in 2015 for the Knicks if LeBron leaves the Miami Heat for the Big Apple.
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