LeBron James' first choice in 2010 was the Knicks and their meeting ended in 'disaster'

Throughout his NBA career, LeBron James has been linked to New York Knicks multiple times. Reports claimed that Knicks were an option for Los Angeles Lakers star, both in 2010 and 2018. However, LeBron James chose Miami Heat in 2010, and Los Angeles Lakers two years ago.

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LeBron James to Knicks: Would LeBron James to Knicks rumours have turned into reality?

As per reports, James' interest in Knicks goes back to over a dece. In 2010, Knicks tried to acquire three-time NBA champion in free ncy. y h eugh cap and could afford signing James and some or high-profile NBA players that July.

However, reports state that Knicks messed up ir meeting with LeBron James despite being considered 'favourites' for player in league. During his podcast, Ringer's Bill Simmons stated that everyone he has talked to since n h believed that Knicks were 'first choice' for James in 2010. "It was basically Knicks' to lose, and y just couldn't stay out of ir own way. stories are legendary," Simmons ded. 

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Why did LeBron James to Knicks move t happen?

Simmons went on to desirable James-Knicks meeting as a disaster, stating that James did t even give team a second chance before finalizing his deal with Miami Heat. He explained that while y tried to put up a good presentation for James, y lacked a vision for future. Knicks reportedly also hired James Gandolfini and Edie Falco to reprise ir roles as Tony and Carmela Sopra. "Dolan was Dolan. y didn't have anything prepared. It just couldn't have gone worse by all accounts. It was a disaster. I think at that point, combined with dece Knicks just h, I think those guys were just like 'f**k it,'" Simmons said. 

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LeBron James to Knicks: Where did Knicks go wrong?

That year, Knicks h a reposted cap of $34 million, which m it possible for team to sign two free nts with some small justments. While Knicks would have needed a tre to acquire a third high profile player, y h young players like Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov, who could have been tred to teams like Toronto Raptors and Cleveland, who were looking to rebuild ir team. Howeevr, Knicks ended up paying Amar'e Stoudemire and let go of ir young talent for Carmelo Anthony, who was a few months away from entering unrestricted free ncy. 

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(Im source: NBA official Twitter)