National Basketball Association

Jerry West Wanted To Play For The New York Knicks

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Hall of Fame guard Jerry West revealed that he would’ve left the Los Angeles Lakers for the New York Knicks if free agency were an option when he played.

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks dominated the first half of the 1970s. They met three times in the NBA Finals, with New York winning in 1970 and 1973, and Los Angeles winning the title in 1972.

If Lakers legend Jerry West had his way, however, that rivalry wouldn’t have occurred at all.

During a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, West shockingly stated that he would’ve left the Lakers for the Knicks if free agency were available to him (h/t SI Wire).

“If I would’ve had a choice and if the Knicks would’ve been able to assimilate me on their team, I would’ve left because I was so unhappy with then-owner Jack [Kent] Cook. I wasn’t happy with him at all. I loved the players I was playing with,” West said. “Obviously, I loved Los Angeles and I loved our fans and I guess good fortune kept me in Los Angeles because we [didn’t have] a choice or the ability to move.”

In leaving the Lakers for the Knicks, West would’ve helped form the greatest backcourt in NBA history.

If West had signed with the Knicks in the 1960s or 1970s, he would’ve formed a starting backcourt with Walt Frazier. Both players are Hall of Famers, but that only addresses the generalized reasons of why they would’ve been dynamic.

Frazier and West weren’t just elite offensive players who consistently took over big games; they were both elite defenders.

Together, they would’ve formed the most dominant backcourt in NBA history.

Frazier and West are both Top 10 all-time players at their respective positions. Both could work on or off-ball, both could lock players down at multiple positions, and both have iconic NBA Finals performances on their resume.

The Knicks won a pair of NBA championships with Frazier. The Lakers won a ring with West.

Instead of playing together, Frazier and the Knicks defeated West and the Lakers in the 1970 and 1973 NBA Finals.

It all worked out well in the end.