Alan Hahn Dares LeBron James To Play For The New York Knicks

Updated –Jul 3, 2025

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If LeBron James wants to win a fifth NBA championship, Alan Hahn says he should head to New York and play for the Knicks.

LeBron James Leaves Door Open To Finish Career Outside Of L.A.

Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN.

Paul adds: LeBron "knows the Lakers are building for the future … but he values a realistic chance of winning it all." pic.twitter.com/q5mT1O2R35

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025

James will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for at least one more season.

The 40-year-old opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers on Sunday.

Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul left an interesting statement that potentially hinted at James’ departure after the 2025-2026 season.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.

“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

“Values a realistic chance of winning it all” has generated headlines over the past week. Do the Lakers give James the best chance to win a title? Any team with Luka Dončić gives you a chance to make the NBA Finals. However, the rest of the roster has question marks, especially in the frontcourt.

The Lakers are looking to build for the future around Doncic. James, who does not have many seasons left, might be looking for more of a “win-now” option.

Alan Hahn: I Dare LeBron To Play For The Knicks

ESPN's Alan Hahn dares LeBron James to join the Knicks.

"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 it if you want, like Sinatra: New… pic.twitter.com/KuGItiMKPe

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 3, 2025

On Thursday’s edition of Get Up, Hahn brought up Paul’s statement and how it poses major questions about James’ future in L.A. after the 2025-2026 season.

If James wants to win another championship, Hahn suggested that James pack his bags, fly east, and play for the team in Madison Square Garden.

“Again, I go back to the statement that Rich Paul said when he talked about wanting to have a team that can compete for a championship,” said Hahn on Get Up via Awful Announcing. “As [Brian Windhorst] Windy said, it’s only one year right now. So this could be a farewell tour. So, put all that stuff together, and you have to think, where is the fastest, easiest path to the NBA Finals for LeBron James? It’s the place he’s avoided his entire career. That’s right, everybody, it’s right here in New York.”

Hahn, who works for MSG Networks, is right by saying the Knicks have a better path to the NBA Finals than the Lakers. The Knicks are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. With major injuries to the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the only teams standing in the way of the Knicks for an NBA Finals berth.

Meanwhile, the Lakers must deal with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Denver Nuggets.

James has always mentioned his love for MSG and how he almost went to the Knicks on numerous occasions. Hahn dared James to play for the Knicks because if he somehow brings New York a championship, it will count as two rings to many basketball fans.

“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 it if you want, like Sinatra: New York, New York,” Hahn said. “If he does that, that’s a gigantic narrative that you know he loves. They all love being part of the story. And it’s a place that you could say, if he comes here, there’s a path to the NBA Finals.”