LeBron James Reportedly Favored the Knicks Before Joining Heat in 2010

Los Angeles Laker LeBron James with shades and a baseball hat
LeBron James. Photo by Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock (9048876m)

Back in 2010, LeBron James became a free agent for the first time in his career and decided to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to join forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh at Miami Heat. However, as it turns out, Heat was not James’ first choice.

According to influential American sports analyst and writer Bill Simmons, when James entered the free agency process 10 years ago, he favored the New York Knicks.

“From everyone that I’ve talked to in the know since then, it’s clear that the Knicks were the first choice,” said Simmons on his The Bill Simmons Podcast.

However, James changed his mind after he met with the Knicks’ brass that included owner James Dolan. Simmons explains that the Knicks came unprepared and that the meeting ended up being a “disaster.”

After that, James reportedly also considered staying with the Cavs or heading to Chicago Bulls, but eventually, chose Miami. The Heat offered him a chance to play with two other All-Stars, something that other organizations would have trouble pulling off.

Missing on James was just the beginning of New York Knicks’ failures in the free agency in the 2010s. The most recent was missing out on superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who rejected the Knicks and instead joined their cross-town rivals Brooklyn Nets.

I am a reality TV junkie. My dream since I was a kid was to be on Big Brother, but until then you can catch me binge-watching episodes each summer.