The Knicks’ eternal pursuit of LeBron James has reached another chapter.
New York is hiring David Fizdale as coach. He might or might not succeed, but he definitely built a relationship with LeBron while a Heat assistant coach.
And that, of course, has started a buzz.
Marc Berman of the New York Post:
The easiest route for the Knicks opening max cap space: Enes Kanter opting out without a promise of a long-term contract from New York (he shouldn’t, but who knows?), Kyle O’Quinn opting out, trading Courtney Lee and unloading any other player.
Of course, even if Kanter clears the way, luring LeBron won’t be nearly that easy.
Why would LeBron want to join such a crummy team? Why would LeBron want to play for James Dolan?
Because of Fizdale?
That was far-fetched when tied to the Lakers, and it’s even less believable here. At least the Lakers will have cap space to lure an additional star and multiple promising young players. The Knicks with Kristaps Porzingis, Frank Ntilikina and a bloated cap sheet don’t cut it.
LeBron has frequently praised Madison Square Garden and Fizdale. But it takes far more than an arena and a coach to lure a player of his caliber.
It never hurts to be prepared, and as easy as it is to mock the Knicks for leaking this story, we’d drag them mercilessly if LeBron somehow wanted to sign and they couldn’t make it happen.
But I just hope they hired Fizdale for other reasons than pursuing LeBron. They need a good coach, not a conduit to a pipedream.