The NBA lockout couldn’t stop a good party — or speculation about the Knicks.

At last night’s launch party for Carmelo Anthony’s new sneaker, the Melo M8, the Knicks star was joined by an unexpected guest.

Following a performance by fellow New Yorker Nas, Anthony was joined by Hornets point guard Chris Paul and the two spent the night chatting and posing for photographs with partygoers.

Despite the fact both athletes are signed under the Jordan Brand, which threw the lavish launch party at Hudson River Park at Pier 54, Paul’s appearance fuels speculation the Knicks could be a landing spot for the four-time NBA All-Star if he becomes a free agent.

Anthony has mentioned Paul joining the Knicks in the past, including yesterday during an appearance at the new Flight Lab 159 in the West Village.

“If it works out and he comes here and they allow him to come here, you’ll see a smile from ear to ear,” Anthony told The Post’s Marc Berman. “It’s not just me. It’s everybody [in New York]. If he decides to leave New Orleans and goes somewhere else, they’ll be feeling the same way I’m feeling.”

Paul is scheduled to enter free agency following the 2012 season, and depending on the new salary-cap regulations following the labor talks, the Knicks could have enough cap room to sign him.