DON’T BUY IT
Rumors being spread about Chris Paul to Knicks is just a distraction from Spike fiasco
Chris Paul paid tribute to Spike Lee and said the suggestions that he’s joining the Knicks are a diversion from the franchise’s latest embarrassing episode.
“They’re trying to take attention away from that Spike Lee stuff,” Paul said in a pregame exchange with a league employee that was caught on SNY.
Paul wore sneakers inscribed with “Do the Right Thing” as he dropped 21 points with 12 assists in OKC’s blowout victory over the hapless Knicks, 126-103. The MSG crowd again attempted a
“Sell The Team” chant in the fourth quarter but was drowned out by loud music from the arena’s speakers. The music awkwardly played down the stretch as Bobby Portis shot free throws.
Paul was disappointed that Lee, who is boycotting the rest of the season after an incident with security Monday, wasn’t in the arena.
“My man, Spike,” Paul said. “I’ve known Spike for a while, man. Shoot, I had talked to Spike a couple of days ago, actually looking forward to him being here at the game to watch me play, because I hadn’t played here in two years. Yeah, I haven’t played here. Fifteen years I’ve been in the league I might have played here like eight times or something. I usually always miss this game, so I’m excited to see Spike and I didn’t see him.”
Paul professed his love for another enemy of the Garden — Charles Oakley — but didn’t want to declare his treatment at MSG a deterrent to players who might think of signing with the Knicks.
“I don’t know about all that. I can’t speak for anybody else,”
Paul said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to know Oak. Oak is like my uncle. I’ve known Oak for years. I know Spike. I don’t know all the ins and outs so I can’t speak for other guys. But I have a relationship with those guys. That’s that.”
At the same time he was killing the idea of joining the Knicks, Paul fueled the rumor by going directly to the court before the game and hugging Knicks president Leon Rose. The two posed for a photo.
“I’m going to run in there and run back out,” Paul said beforehand. “I want to take a picture with Leon.”
Asked if he could recreate the photo for those who missed it, Paul responded, “I don’t want to get in trouble.”
Rose served as Paul’s agent until he took the Knicks job last week, and the two obviously share a close bond. The Knicks rumors are a product of that relationship, with SiriusXM host Frank Isola reporting Thursday that the Knicks “are gathering intel on the All-Star and could make a run at him this summer.”
Acquiring Paul via trade would come with a huge cap hit since he’s guaranteed about $85 million the next two seasons. It also creates a win-now environ
ment since Paul is 34 years old. That's a big leap for the Knicks, who, as constructed, aren't close to contention.
But they certainly have the assets to pull off a trade. They can have roughly $45 million in cap space this summer or could use the team options on multiple players — Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington and Taj Gibson — to match salaries on a trade. That scenario is a big reason the Knicks didn't buy out those players before the deadline.
Paul is enjoying a renaissance season while averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds before Friday. He also has carried the young Thunder to a playoff spot in the difficult Western Conference.
The Knicks had a chance to trade for Paul last summer from the Rockets but viewed his contract as too prohibitive. That was a mistake. In addition to Paul, the Thunder acquired two firstround picks and two potential pick swaps. The Knicks hoped to develop Dennis Smith Jr. into their starting point guard, but that was a dud from the season opener.
Now the Knicks would have to throw in assets — not acquire them — for Paul.