Chris Paul calls Knicks trade rumors a diversion from the Spike Lee fiasco

Jacob Hancock

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Chris Paul calls Knicks trade rumors a diversion from the Spike Lee fiasco image

Rumors have been floating around the NBA Twittersphere the last several days that the Knicks are interested in acquiring veteran point guard Chris Paul via trade with the Thunder, but the Oklahoma City point guard didn't seem to hold the New York franchise in particularly high esteem during media availability Friday at Madison Square Garden.

Those trade rumors stem from new Knicks new team president Leon Rose once serving as Paul's agent. ESPN's Frank Isola said the Knicks were "gathering intel" on Paul and could possibly try to trade for him this summer.

But Paul might not be so keen on moving to New York and and playing for such a volatile front office. His sneakers during Friday's game had "Do the Right Thing" written on them, in reference to the Knicks' security fiasco with superfan Spike Lee.

MORE: Charles Oakley on Knicks' treatment of Spike Lee: 'You're cheating the people of New York'

Paul didn't shy away from the issue before the game, either. He brought it up when asked about the trade rumors; his response also signaled disappointment in how the Knicks handled the Lee situation.

"They're trying to take attention away from that Spike Lee stuff,"​ Paul said to a league employee in front of SNY cameras.

Paul said he was anticipating a meeting with Lee, who said he would not attend any Knicks home games the remainder of the season over his dispute with team owner James Dolan.

"I talked to Spike a couple 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," Paul said. "I was excited to see Spike."

Jacob Hancock