LeBron James Rumors: Knicks Interested in Pursuing Star After David Fizdale Hire

After reportedly hiring David Fizdale as head coach, the New York Knicks will now begin shaping their roster for 2018 and beyond.

That includes...possibly LeBron James?

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks are preparing to make a run at the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar this summer. That comes one day after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Fizdale had agreed to a four-year deal with New York.           

It's possible Fizdale was hired in part as a way to potentially draw the four-time NBA MVP to the Big Apple. Fizdale served as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat from 2008-16, which included the four years (2010-14) James spent in South Beach.

James and Fizdale made it to four NBA Finals together and won two championships. And their bond has remained strong even through the years.

Fizdale led the Memphis Grizzlies to a 43-39 record and a postseason berth in 2016-17. However, after a 7-12 start this past season, he was fired after just one-plus seasons with the team.

That dismissal did not sit well with the former Heat star:

Now, the Knicks have brought in the man who has the respect of the Cavs legend—and just in time for his free agency.

New York was viewed as one of the potential landing spots for James back in the summer of 2010. However, he opted to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh (and subsequently Fizdale) in Miami.

Should James decide to leave Cleveland this summer, Los Angeles, Houston and Philadelphia are the cities that he has been linked to the most over the past few months. That doesn't rule out the Knicks, though. After all, he is the self-proclaimed "King of New York":

As Berman notes, the Knicks would have to clear cap space in order to land James. It would take more than just Enes Kanter and Kyle O'Quinn both opting out of their contracts, likely having to find a way to move Courtney Lee. Of course, if a team has a legitimate chance to land one of the greatest players in NBA history, clearing salary is a no-brainer.

James does not discuss his impending free agency publicly, so it's not clear if New York has a realistic chance to sign him. The Knicks certainly didn't hurt their chances, though, by hiring Fizdale.