NEW ORLEANS — The All-Star break doesn’t mean there is a break in mocking Phil Jackson.
Chris Paul, who will be a free agent this summer, took a dig at the Knicks president while his Clippers running mate, DeAndre Jordan, said Carmelo Anthony, his U.S. Olympic teammate, surely would fit in with his Los Angeles squad.
Fellow Olympian DeMarcus Cousins of the Kings added Anthony is being shown “disrespect” by the Knicks, who have spoken to three teams about a potential trade despite Anthony’s no-trade clause.
Anthony was nowhere to be found during Friday’s media availability for All-Star Weekend, but his spirit was alive at the hotel. The NBA gave Anthony a pass to skip Friday’s press conferences because he was a last-minute replacement for Kevin Love, a reluctant participant looking forward to a family vacation. Anthony was expected to arrive late Friday night in time for Saturday’s practice.
The Knicks have had conversations with the Clippers about a deal, but Anthony’s $28 million salary — including a trade kicker — presents cap issues.
“Anytime you get a chance to get a player like Carmelo, it is really cool,’’ Jordan said. “I played with Carmelo this summer. Great teammate, great basketball player, playmaker, scorer. I think [he would fit in]. Playing with him this summer, I think he’s a great teammate. Anybody would be lucky to have him.’’
Paul, the president of the players’ union, said at a press conference announcing the finalizing of the new collective bargaining agreement that Jackson has overstepped his bounds.
“It’s probably not beneficial to talk about your player in the newspapers,’’ Paul said. Jackson recently posted on Twitter endorsing an anti-Anthony article and comparing him to NBA bust Michael Graham.
Asked if he feels for Anthony, Paul said, “He’s an All-Star.’’
“Melo is like my brother,’’ added Paul, who long has been speculated to potentially join the Knicks because of Anthony. “Anything affecting him at times, it can affect me.”
Would Paul like to see Anthony in a new city such as Los Angeles?
“You think you’re going to get me to say that?” Paul said as he walked away, smiling.
Cousins lauded Anthony as a mentor after the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“Player that talented, one who gives his all nightly? I don’t understand the situation,’’ Cousins said of Jackson exploring a deal for Anthony. “Me growing up, Carmelo was my favorite player. I hate to see the disrespect he’s going through. I think he deserves more praise than he’s receiving.”
The Knicks may also have trouble in the free-agent market because of the Charles Oakley arrest at the Garden. Paul, who considers Oakley a mentor, acknowledged the statement the Garden initially released was a black eye for the franchise.
“I know Oak personally, so that was real tough to watch,” Paul said. “To hear them say they hope Oak is going to get some help, like he was mentally ill or something, that was tough. Since I’ve come into the NBA, we talk about looking out for younger players. Oak has been a guy who’s always checked on me, injury or anything like that.
“So to see him treated in that fashion in that arena was tough.”
Cousins added the whole episode is “disgusting.’’