Blake Griffin thinks Chris Paul would be ‘great’ fit for Knicks with key trade date set to arrive

LAS VEGAS — Chris Paul officially becomes trade eligible on Monday.

Paul, who had returned to the Clippers on a one-year deal for what he says is his last NBA season, has been away from the team since Dec. 3 after they decided to cut ties with him amid reported friction with coaches and executives.

The Clippers said they’d work with Paul to find him a new team.

The Post reported that the Knicks previously had internal discussions about potentially trading for Paul.

Backup point guard has been a weak spot for the Knicks most of the year after Malcolm Brogdon’s sudden retirement just before the season, though Tyler Kolek had a strong showing in that role during 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?

Chris Paul is pictured during the Clippers’ Dec. 1 game. NBAE via Getty Images

“What’s crazy is you’ve seen him get to Oklahoma City and see him be a leader, a mentor, a guy who is sort of teaching and helping guys learn the game,” Griffin said. “He did that for us with the Clippers. Houston was sort of a different situation. He went to Phoenix and it was the first time in forever Phoenix really had true success, with Chris Paul at the point guard. Chris Paul left, and so Phoenix fizzled. CP was in San Antonio and sort of did the same thing. So time and time again, he’s proved — that’s been my biggest thing with this whole situation. Time and time again, he’s proved that he’s gone to a team and kind of fit the role that he needed to fit. Played less minutes. Did this, did that. So it’d be great for the Knicks.”

Blake Griffin is pictured Dec. 12. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Knicks president Leon Rose was also previously Paul’s longtime agent.

Griffin might see the Knicks benefits of bringing in Paul, but Paul finishing his career in a Knicks jersey would be strange to him.

“That’s weird to think of,” Griffin said. “If he retires a Knick, that’s crazy. They’re a great team.”