LAS VEGAS – Chris Paul will officially be eligible for trade on Monday.
Paul, who had returned to the Clippers on a one-year deal for what he believes is his final NBA season, has been away from the team since December 3 after they decided to cut ties with him due to reported friction with coaches and executives.
The Clippers said they would work with Paul to find him a new team.
The Post reported that the Knicks previously had internal discussions about potentially trading Paul.
Backup point guard has been a weak spot for the Knicks for most of the year following the sudden retirement of Malcolm Brogdon just before the season, although Tyler Kolek played a strong role in Saturday’s win over the Magic in the NBA Cup semifinals.
Blake Griffin, now an analyst for Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage, was teammates with Paul on the Clippers during their “Lob City” era.
Does he think a Knicks-Paul pairing would work?
“The crazy thing is you’ve seen him go to Oklahoma City and see him become a leader, a mentor, a guy who teaches guys and helps them learn the game,” Griffin said. “He did that for us with the Clippers. Houston was kind of a different situation. He went to Phoenix and it was the first time in a while that Phoenix really had success, with Chris Paul as point guard. Chris Paul left, and so Phoenix died. CP was in San Antonio and kind of did the same thing. So time and time again he’s proven – that’s been my biggest thing in this whole situation. Time and time again he’s proven that he’s gone to a team and kind of fits the role that he’s had to fit in. Played less minutes. Did this, did that. So it would be great for the Knicks.
Knicks president Leon Rose also previously served as Paul’s longtime agent.
Griffin may see the Knicks benefits of bringing in Paul, but it would be strange for him to end his career in a Knicks jersey.
“That’s weird to think about,” Griffin said. “For him to retire a Knick is crazy. They’re a great team.”
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