LeBron James has quite an affinity for the New York Knicks. In fact, James would have played in New York instead of the 76ers if New York hadn't won its first championship in 53 years.

It turns out LeBron had ample reason to be drafted by New York in 2003, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. According to Windhorst, LeBron's Nike contract included a hefty bonus if he went to the Big Apple.

“ There was this dream, and in fact, it was kind of LeBron's dream too,” Windhorst said on Hoop Collective. “Literally the night before he agreed to his Nike contract, in his Nike contract he got a 20 or 30% bonus if he got drafted to the Knicks. They agreed to that the night before the Lottery. That’s why it was so important to get it done before the lottery. And when the envelope opened and showed the Knicks at number nine, there was an audible in the room because people wanted LeBron to go to the Knicks.”

Brian Windhorst says LeBron’s dream to get drafted by the Knicks instead of the Cavs:

“ There was this dream, and in fact, it was kind of LeBron‘s dream too. Literally the night before he agreed to his Nike contract, in his Nike contract he got a 20 or 30% bonus if he got… pic.twitter.com/8EFl3LNO0U

— JayTakes (@SportsWithJay0) October 19, 2026

In 2003, LeBron was the nation's best high school basketball player. He drew huge crowds and media attention at St. Vincent St. Mary's in Akron, Ohio. He followed in the footsteps of a select few who went straight from high school to the NBA. Among them were Moses Malone, Darryl Dawkins, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant.

Ultimately, his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers drafted LeBron.

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Now, LeBron is on the cusp of starting his first season with the 76ers. Meanwhile, the Knicks are looking to repeat as NBA champions.

But if things had gone differently 23 years ago, what could have happened for the Knicks?

We will never know.