NEW YORK — If the Knicks wouldn’t have won the 2026 NBA Finals, LeBron James would be headed to New York City.

But the Knicks did win the title — emphatically, in a five-game gentleman’s sweep of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. As a result, according to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, James’ 2026 free agency is more complicated than expected.

“Everything looks great in July. Everything looks great on paper,” he said on an episode of his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman. “You’ve gotta be very careful with that.”

What was once The Decision has become LeDecision — the (possible) final act in a Hall of Fame career seeking a storybook ending.

In his episode with Kellerman, Paul laid out a whiteboard featuring every potential destination for James, who has declined the player option on his final year with the Los Angeles Lakers to test free agency this summer.

The Knicks are on the list, as are Stephen Curry and Draymond Green’s Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs.

At least in small print.

Paul also listed teams and rosters in bigger print with “LeBron” connecting five more teams:

— The Philadelphia 76ers, who recently traded Paul George and picks to Boston for Jaylen Brown: “How could you not have [LeBron’s] attention when you have Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Brown and Joel Embiid,” Paul said, agreeing with Kellerman’s assessment of LeBron’s potential fit in Philly. “That’s why he’s in the middle [of the whiteboard.]”

— The Denver Nuggets, built upon the shoulders of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and point guard Jamal Murray: “They’ve got one big hurdle: They’ve still got Peyton Watson, who’s a restricted free agent,” Paul said. “The Kroenke family, we’re close to. He’s won at everything.” Kellerman interjected to ask if Denver is a realistic destination: “It wouldn’t be on the board, Max,” Paul shot back.

— The Miami Heat, who gutted their roster in a Tyler Herro-plus-picks package to create an All-Star duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo: “Plus Pat [Riley]. Plus [Erik] Spoelstra.”

— The Cleveland Cavaliers, James’ old stomping grounds: “Big feather in the cap because of [assistant GM] Brandon Weems,” Paul said. “Now, the negative is — and this is no offense to James Harden — but no Darius Garland. Because [LeBron] loves Garland like he loves Maxey.”

— And finally, the Minnesota Timberwolves, who dumped Julius Randle’s salary in a deal with the Nets before trading Naz Reid and picks to Charlotte in a home-run swing for LaMelo Ball: “Remember when Anthony Edwards said, ‘It’s OK because we’ve got Jaden McDaniels?” Paul asked. “And then you have Rudy Gobert, plus [president] Tim Connelly and [Minnesota’s] ownership group.

James would have to take a significant pay cut to sign deals with any of those teams. He is entering his 24th NBA season and will be 42 years old in 2026-27. James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds over 60 games for the Lakers last season.

And it’s clear James had his eye on a farewell tour at Madison Square Garden — before the Knicks got all the glory first.

“If the Knicks wouldn’t have won, there would be no board,” Paul said. “He’d be going to the Knicks.”

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