New York Knicks: Top 5 Free Agent Small Forwards

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Apr 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates after a stoppage in play against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

2015-16 Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Age: 31

Slash Line: .520/.309/.731

Season Averages: 35.6 MPG, 25.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM

Let’s get this out of the way: LeBron James is highly unlikely to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers again. The only somewhat realistic possibility of James leaving Cleveland for a second time would be if he were to bring the team an elusive first championship in 2016.

James is unlikely to leave Cleveland, Arron Afflalo will need to decline his player option, and, even then, the New York Knicks would still have an outside shot at signing him—we get it.

The reality is, even at 31 years of age, there would be no greater result for the Knicks than signing James. He’s a four-time league MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, and a two-time NBA champion with six career Finals appearances—and counting.

Pairing James with close friend Carmelo Anthony would inevitably give the Knicks their best shot at a title.

Even in a, “Down year,” James averaged 25.3 points on 52.0 percent shooting from the field. Playing with Anthony, as well as the promising Kristaps Porzingis and solid Robin Lopez, would enable James to bring glory to another title-hungry city.

More knicks: Who are the best available shooting guards for the New York Knicks to pursue?

This isn’t very likely, but even at his current age, no player would give New York a better chance to immediately compete for a championship.

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