Mike Brown has taken over as the team's head coach to replace Tom Thibodeau. Adding a player like James in place of Towns could be the move that powers New York into the NBA Finals. It's not likely that the Knicks will make a move for James. However, it cannot be counted out.

There is another reason to pass on a James deal. The Knicks' moves last summer cleared out assets, but what they have will need to be held onto tightly right now because of the whispers and theories that Giannis Antetokounmpo will ask out of Milwaukee.