Knicks Offer Head Coach Job to LeBron James

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks know who they want to lead their team next and it’s Cleveland Cavaliers head coach LeBron James.

“Obviously, if you want a coach who can win the Eastern Conference and compete for an NBA championship every year, LeBron is the guy,” said Knicks president Phil Jackson. “We will do everything in our power to bring him here.”

While openly courting a coach under contract with another team would normally be considered tampering, sources say that despite serving as the de facto head coach and general manager of the Cavaliers, James’ contract with Cleveland doesn’t cover those roles.

“It’s a huge oversight and the Knicks are ready to pounce,” said an NBA front office source.

James has coached his teams to five consecutive NBA Finals and has won two of them, putting him up with Gregg Popovich above all other coaches in the league.

If the Knicks can lure him to New York, Jackson said the team would also be open to him continuing to play in addition to coaching.

“It would be LeBron’s decision, though, as the head coach,” said Jackson. “I’d put him on the roster, but LeBron’s playing time would be up to LeBron.”