LAS VEGAS — Ex-Knick Larry Hughes, former teammate of LeBron James and one of his best friends, said yesterday the Knicks’ failure to win the past two seasons cost them in the LeCon Sweepstakes.
“That was my feeling from day one,” said Hughes, sitting courtside during the Knicks-Toronto summer-league game. “It was a matter the Knicks could’ve enticed him more by winning some games.
“Overall they made a great pitch. [LeBron] told me a lot of things they were laying out. They did a great job with the business side, the billionaire thing, run the city, but at the same time winning is what it is.”
Hughes, who speaks to James regularly, said he never dissed coach Mike D’Antoni. He said a few times during his Knicks stint he felt James would stay in Cleveland. But he never imagined Miami would open the cap space to sign him, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
“That was a totally different scenario,” said Hughes. “He made the best move as far as the basketball, knowing he has the opportunity to do damage.”
Hughes, a free agent, hopes to go back to Charlotte with Larry Brown. Hughes, traded to the Bobcats in February, said the Knicks have what they need in former Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton.
“He’s a guy who’s tenacious and plays hard,” Hughes said. “Fans are going to appreciate that and it’s what that team needs to be the face of it and be the bulldog.”
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The Knicks have inquired about a sign-and-trade with the Cavs for free agent Shaquille O’Neal.
O’Neal, 38, played for D’Antoni in Phoenix for half a season in 2008. Reports, however, have O’Neal headed to Atlanta for Marvin Williams.
A Knicks source said, “I don’t think it would work with us on all kinds of levels.”
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D’Antoni said an Internet report the Knicks planned to meet yesterday with free agent Josh Howard was erroneous.
D’Antoni said the club has no interest because of their glut of forwards and little cap space.
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The Knicks lost to Toronto, 102-89, and lost rookie Andy Rautins to an ankle injury. He shot 1 of 4 before twisting his ankle.
Most explosive Knick on floor was free agent Patrick Ewing Jr., who scored 11 points in 11 minutes on 5 of 6 shooting. Ewing Jr. may get another training-camp invite.
“He deserves to be in the NBA,” his father told The Post. “Write that Patrick Ewing said he deserves to be in the NBA.”
The Magic, the team where Ewing is an assistant coach, also has interest, Ewing said.
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Eddy Curry is looking to be a Las Vegas no-show, sources said. After playing 10 games in two seasons, the coaching staff had hoped he would work out with the team.
Danilo Gallinari is also in Italy and not here with the summer-league team.
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According to a source, the Blazers were trying to coax Russian center Timophey Mozgod earlier last season to leave Russia and join them during their center woes.
The source said after Greg Oden and Joel Przyzbilla were lost for the season, they made a big pitch for Mozgod but the buyout was too severe.
Another source said the buyout is $2.5 million in which the Knicks picked up the maximum allowed — $500,000 — and he has to pay off the rest from his $9M contract.