But this is a business. So follow the money. Forbes said it best, through Interbrand (a company whose business is valuing brands like the one James wants to become). The bottom line: James should expect to make $983 million if he signs with the Knicks and finishes his career here — that’s $284 million more than second-place Cleveland. (Cleveland beats Chicago because Michael Jordan already owns Chicago, so winning a title there is worth far less than winning one in New York or even Cleveland.)…
But the biggest reason why it’s the best basketball decision for James to come to New York is Curry — the secret weapon. He comes off the books after this year. So he can be traded at any point to a team seeking future cap relief or let go in June to create more cap room for next year’s free-agent class. New York would have almost enough for another max contract. Most importantly, he protects James from a change in the collective bargaining agreement that creates a hard cap. James knows that the Knicks will go over the cap if nothing changes. But only the Knicks from among all his suitors can also stay within the cap to get a third big player (or fourth if you count Danilo Gallinari).
The NBA free agency hype has grown so monstrous that I’ve sort of stopped paying attention, but Mike makes the most comprehensive case I’ve yet seen for why LeBron James should and will end up a Knick.
Also, it’s hilarious that anyone besides Isiah Thomas and Greenburgh-area fast food restaurants might consider Eddy Curry “the secret weapon,” but it’s a good point.
And furthermore, the Greenburgh area could use a lot more variety in its fast food restaurants. McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King? What is this, 1989?
Tedquarters 
I tend to agree with Mike here on the NY thing, and it being the best place to make money and grow a brand. I keep hearing talk about how in this day and age of the internet and mass media, that it no longer matters if the big star is in the big market. I just can’t get on board with this though.
I agree that the internet and cable and all that does help a star player in a smaller market, but it does not make up for what a player gains by playing for a big popular team with a monster fan base such as the teams in NY, LA, Boston etc. Yes he can get plenty of exposure on national TV games on ESPN and TNT, but that’s not the point. It goes beyond just people knowing who he is. It’s the attention that goes with playing in a big market like NY, and the number of fans that team has .
I love Lebron, but I’m a Knicks fan, so you will never see me in a Lebron jersey (this is a hypothetical since I’d never buy any bball jersey) but you get the point. Its equivalent to Pujols in baseball. Love the guy, but Mets fans aren’t buying his jersey are they? If he came to NY to play for the Mets there’d be a million jerseys soild the day he’s signed. Its about being the most popular player on the popular franchises that to me really rockets a guy to stardom.
Look at Derek Jeter for example. If he had done what hes done, won a championship or 2 say in Cleveland, or Cincy, would he be anywhere near the baseball icon he is now? Not a chance.
I mean look at say David Wright compared to Evan Longoria. You have two young superstar 3rd basemen, who from a baseball standpoint or basically comparable players, yet David Wright blows away Longoria in terms of recognition and marketing appeal for no other reason than hes the face of the NY Mets, a team with millions and millions of fans all around the country, while Longoria plays for a good, but no hugely popular team.