Sign here: New York joins LeBron billboard fray - ESPN

You can add New York to the list of cities courting LeBron James with a billboard.

A billboard near Madison Square Garden is challenging James to sign with the Knicks as a free agent with the phrase "King of New York? Prove it" and the hashtag #KingJamesNYC18.

The billboard was purchased by NYC Ads Co., a New York City-based marketing company.

Billboards in Akron, Ohio (touting the Cavs), Los Angeles (pitching the Lakers), Cleveland (selling the 76ers) and Portland, Oregon (promoting the Trail Blazers), have also been commissioned in the past several months. James, a four-time MVP, can opt out of his contract and test free agency this summer.

Unlike the Sixers and Lakers, the Knicks would have to shed significant salary to create the requisite cap space to sign James this summer.

The NBA playoffs are imminent, which means LeBron James will again be expected to transform into the legend who found his way to the NBA Finals in seven straight years. The key to understanding 'playoff LeBron' starts on the defensive end of the floor.

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue, who sat out nine games with health issues, was welcomed back with a heart-wrenching win that saw his team orchestrate a thrilling come-from-behind victory Thursday over the Wizards.

Drafted the same year as LeBron James, the Cavs' sharpshooter is still going strong, putting up numbers unmatched for a shooting guard his age and providing inspiration to his 2003 draftmate.

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After a Cavs' victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden earlier this season, James declared himself the king of New York in an Instagram post. The declaration rankled some Knicks players.

In an addendum to its billboard message, NYC Ads Co. posted a message on its Instagram account, acknowledging that James signing with the Knicks is a long shot.

"Some of you may think we're crazy and say there's no chance he ends up in NY," the company wrote. "I think why not? If you talk the talk you gotta walk the walk. You want to be considered the goat? Legend? Icon? I think the best way to solidify all that is winning a chip in NY a place that hasn't seen it in 40 years."

The Knicks haven't made the playoffs in five seasons and have lost at least 50 games in each of the past four seasons. The franchise last won an NBA championship in 1973.