LeBron James to the Knicks ESPN Insider Urges the Lakers Star to Make It Happen.

More than 14 years after “The Decision” left New York Knicks fans disappointed, rumors are circulating that Lakers forward LeBron James might make a move to New York.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith pointed to the Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks, which involved sending Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick in exchange for Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, as the reason for the speculation.

On ESPN’s “Get Up” on Monday, Smith shared his thoughts:

“I’d tell Rich Paul that I’ll waive my no-trade clause for one of two teams,” Smith said, according to Awful Announcing. “It’d be either to join Steph Curry in Golden State or head to New York to play for the Knicks.”

“Now, the Knicks would be trickier because they traded away five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges. I love Bridges, but five first-rounders is a lot. But I won’t dwell on that, they made their choice. Clearly, they have plenty of assets, and the Lakers are in need of them.”

Aside from the first-round pick they received from the Mavericks in the trade, Smith noted that the Lakers have only one more first-round pick left, in 2031. This could make the Knicks an appealing partner if the Lakers consider moving James.

The trade for Dončić caught the sports world by surprise late Saturday. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards expressed sympathy for Luka, saying he “feels bad for Luka” and is “scared” for his own future.

Edwards is not alone in his sentiments.

Luka Dončić’s father, Saša Dončić, a former pro player and coach in Slovenia, criticized the Mavericks’ “hypocrisy” in the trade, stating that Luka “absolutely doesn’t deserve this.”

(Adam Zagoria of NJ Advance Media contributed to this report)