LAS VEGAS — Al Harrington told The Post yesterday he was stung the Knicks never called him after July 1, that coach Mike D’Antoni never liked him, and that he isn’t sure the revamped Knicks are any better than last season’s 29-53 team.
Harrington also said he had inside information before July that LeBron James was going to spurn the Knicks.
Harrington left the Knicks officially yesterday, signing a full, five-year, $5.8 million-per-year mid-level deal with the Nuggets and will become teammates with potential 2011 free agent Carmelo Anthony.
Harrington said he “thinks Melo will stay,” but hasn’t yet spoken to him.
Harrington had held out hope Knicks team president Donnie Walsh would have enough cap space to keep him, knowing what he knew about LeCon.
“I guess they could be better, but I don’t think they’re better than the team we had last year,” Harrington said. “That’s my opinion. You never know. They got Bill Walker, he could get better, Gallo [Danilo Gallinari] could get better. So it could be better but I don’t think so.”
The LeCon snub was no surprise to Harrington.
“I knew he wasn’t coming to New York,” Harrington said at Cox Pavilion, watching the Nuggets during summer-league action. “I knew some of LeBron’s sources and knew he never liked New York at all. I’m a New York fan anyway. It would’ve been nice to have had him there.”
Harrington now teams with Anthony, who has a Denver contract-extension offer on the table. Harrington spends most of the offseason at his house in Las Vegas. James and his entourage spend time in Vegas, too, as James has a place out in the desert, too.
Harrington, a northern Jersey native, thought he may be in play after the James snub. The Knicks still had plenty of cap room.
“I wasn’t one of D’Antoni’s guys,” said Harrington. “It was an obvious thing. No matter how good I played, no matter what happened, he wouldn’t mention my name after a game or anything. He obviously didn’t want me there.
“When they only got one max, I thought I would hear from them and get a call,” Harrington added. “I was obviously wrong.”
Harrington, who averaged 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds off the bench, notes the Knicks have lost their two most productive players in David Lee (now with Golden State) and himself.
D’Antoni defended the decision not to consider Harrington. Sources close to D’Antoni said Harrington didn’t move the ball enough to suit D’Antoni’s offense.
“We changed the structure of the team,” D’Antoni said. “Certain guys — even Lee — structurally were financially out. I’m happy for Al. It didn’t work out.”
Harrington said Denver coach George Karl always has joked about getting him.
“It’s good to play for a coach who wants you,” he said.
The Knicks have holes. They don’t have a legit starting center and their shooting-guard position is unclear. New addition, Kelenna Azubuike, may fill that role.
The Knicks have stocked up pieces to trade. Walsh said the Knicks are at the salary cap and have ability only to sign players to the veteran’s minimum.
D’Antoni said the good news is trades will be made to improve, not subtract.
“If we do make a move, we’re bringing in a better piece and not a piece just for cap space,” he said.
The cap-cutting began 20 months ago when Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford were dealt and Harrington became the bridge to 2010. It was all done with James as the ultimate goal.
“I liked Randolph and Jamal and those guys, but as soon as we got their [trade] value up, we knew they were gone,” D’Antoni said. “That’s frustrating for players and coaches. Now when our players get up there, we can lock them in.”
Harrington, who missed the last two weeks of the season after shoulder surgery, said he wanted to go to a winner after two years in New York of losing.
“I can’t wait to get out there,” Harrington said. “The team is stacked. We’re going to have a great opportunity.”
And he hopes to play with ‘Melo for many years to come.