The East has stronger teams today than a month ago, but despite all of the offseason chaos, the Knicks should still emerge as favorites.

Suns sign former college star after four-team trade involving Knicks, Lakers, Mavericks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. On June 24, the Phoenix Suns completed a massive four-team NBA Draft trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and the Dallas Mavericks.

The arrival of free agency in the NBA has brought with it a rumor mill brimming with the latest on some of the game's top stars, none bigger than four-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP, LeBron James.

Most franchises spent the two days of the 2026 NBA Draft addressing their futures, but the New York Knicks instead emphasized their present. Knicks owner James Dolan made it clear during a recent radio interview that he doesn’t want his team in the second apron,

The champions avoided the first round but had to work to do so. It was expected that Knicks president Leon Rose would trade the No. 24 pick in Tuesday’s first round of the NBA draft to avoid taking on first-round salary.

While it’s unclear just how aggressive the San Antonio Spurs will be this summer after coming up three wins short of a championship, it isn’t preposterous to suggest the franchise should be on the trade and free agent markets.

NBA insider Jake Fischer said Thursday on a Bleacher Report livestream the Knicks "have shown some interest in LeBron James." SNY's Ian Begley reported Friday that the Knicks are "very happy" with the core of their roster and "should not be seen as a potential destination for James.