LeBron James’ decision to opt into the final year of his $52.6 million deal with the Lakers has the NBA world buzzing about what’s next. One analyst thinks the answer is obvious, and he’s calling out The King directly.
“Where is the fastest, easiest path to the NBA Finals for LeBron James?” ESPN’s Alan Hahn asked on Get Up. “It’s the place he has avoided his entire career. That’s right everybody, it’s right here in New York. I want … I dare him. I double-dog dare him. If you really, really believe in all the words you’re saying right there. The one place that you know you could go. All you have to do is say it. Sing if you want like Sinatra—New York, New York. If he does that, that’s a gigantic narrative that you know he loves. They all love. They love being part of the story. And it’s a place that you could say if he comes here there is a path to the NBA Finals,” Hahn said.
“Where is the fastest, easiest path to the NBA Finals for LeBron James? It’s the place he has avoided his entire career. … It’s right here in New York.”@alanhahn “double-dog dares” LeBron to come to the Knicks 😭 pic.twitter.com/5zAPkKy9X1
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 3, 2025
Hahn didn’t stop there. He argued that the move would give James a chance to rewrite NBA history in the league’s biggest market.
The Knicks haven’t won a championship since 1973, and Hahn believes changing that could cement James’ legacy even further.
“One championship in New York is worth two championships since they haven’t won in so long,” he added.
LeBron hasn’t responded to the challenge, but with his future in Los Angeles still uncertain and his no-trade clause giving him full control, the door is at least cracked open.
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