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Knicks Rumors: The Only Players Worth A Max Contract

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Bill Russell MVP Trophy after beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Bill Russell MVP Trophy after beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Living Legend: LeBron James, UFA

Position: Small Forward
Age: 31 (12/30/1984)
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

LeBron James is 31 years old, and a max contract would span well beyond his prime. Thus, there’s reason to be concerned about giving an aging player a contract that would eat the salary cap.

Now that we’ve said all of the senseless and meaningless things we have to say, let’s acknowledge the truth: James would single-handedly make the New York Knicks a contender.

James has delivered on his promise to bring the Cleveland Cavaliers the first NBA championship in franchise history. In the process, he ended a 52-year title drought by Cleveland’s major professional sports teams.

If James were to leave the Cavaliers, he’d be able to do so with the knowledge that he did his job in Cleveland.

James is a three-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, four-time league MVP, and 10-time All-NBA First Team selection. He won that third championship, as well as the Finals MVP award, in 2016 by leading both teams in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals.

Love him or hate him, the Knicks would be ignorant to decline an opportunity to sign LeBron James.

must read: The New York Knicks should make a run at Dwyane Wade

If this list proves anything, it’s that handing out a max contract in 2016 would be a tough move to justify.

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