CARMELO TRYING TO RECRUIT HIS OAK HILL ACADEMY ALUM RAJON RONDO TO THE KNICKS

RAJON RONDO & CARMELO ANTHONY

In an interview with USA TODAY, Steve Smith, a high school coach at Oak Hill Academy, confirmed report from the summer that Carmelo Anthony wants point guard Rajon Rondo as a Knick. Smith said Anthony would try to recruit him. Rondo will be a free agent in 2015, when the Knicks will have cap space.

Smith coached both players in high school.

“Whether he stays in Boston or not, who knows. I know, talking to Melo, he’s recruiting Rajon to come to New York,’’ Smith said. “Melo thinks he’ll come too. You never know about that stuff though. I think either way, Rajon will be fine.”

It was stated: “Anthony told friends after the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce trade to the Nets, he figured the Knicks would make a play for point guard for Rajon Rondo.

Anthony believes Rondo would be the perfect piece and would be super motivated in New York to attempt to knock off Garnett and Pierce.’’

When asked about the coach’s comments last night, Anthony said, “C’mon man. In my book, that’s tampering.’’

There were reports a few weeks ago the Knicks spoke to the Celtics about Rondo, who is still rehabbing from right-knee surgery. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, however, said he hasn’t had one inquiry about Rondo since he was injured and said he wants to build around him and not trade him.

The Knicks have no draft-pick pawns to give Boston anyway, so free agency may be the only way of getting the point guard.

The Knicks could have major cap space in 2015 when Rondo, Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge will be free agents. The Knicks have interest in all three.