INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks have opened the door.
The ball is in Charles Oakley’s court.
They would welcome him back with open arms as a celebrated team alumnus if he drops his lawsuit against owner James Dolan and Madison Square Garden, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Post.
The suit stems from his infamous ejection from the Garden during a Knicks game on Feb. 8, 2017, following an altercation with security guards.
Oakley initially was banned from the Garden by owner Dolan, but that ban has long been lifted.
Oakley can purchase a ticket and attend any game he wants.
Former NBA player Charles Oakley sits courtside before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena on February 15, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty ImagesBut if he drops the suit, he’d fully reenter the Knicks family and get all the perks that come with that.
A legion of ex-Knicks attend games with courtside seats through the team, are shown on the jumbotron and regularly attend team events. Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, John Starks, Larry Johnson, Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, Carmelo Anthony, Stephon Marbury and others are constant fixtures at games.
There are monetary opportunities through the team as well.
Oakley brought assault and battery claims against Dolan and the Garden, though the case twice has been dismissed.
It was reinstated again by an appeals court in September.
The main question centers around whether security used reasonable force.
Other claims have been thrown out.
Charles Oakley of the New York Knicks shoots against the
Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game
circa 1992 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.
Oakley played for the Knicks from 1988-98. Getty ImagesOakley, now 61, played 10 seasons with the Knicks from 1988-98.
He emerged as a fan favorite and key component of a core that was a perennial contender — the Knicks made the playoffs every year Oakley was with the team.
His tough, gritty style of play helped shape the Knicks identity during the 1990s.
Charles Oakley and Ice Cube show support for the inaugural season of the BIG3 basketball league while attending New York Knicks Vs. Brooklyn Nets game at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on March 12, 2017. GC ImagesThe bad blood between Oakley and the team has lasted eight years and is still ongoing.
But for their part, the Knicks are ready to put it all behind them.
