For the first time publicly, Patrick Ewing admitted the Wizards would be a nice landing spot for him next season following a lost year in Seattle.

Appearing on TNT’s post-game show last night, the free-agent-to-be Ewing said “It would be great to play with Michael [Jordan] and Charles [Barkley] [in Washington]. After the playoffs is over, when I sit down with Michael or whichever else teams feel have a need for me, I’ll sit down with [agent] David Falk and we’ll see what’s out there for me.”

Reflecting on the Knicks’ first-round flameout for the first time in 10 years, Ewing said “I thought I could’ve helped the team, especially with the East being so weak. I thought I could’ve helped them, especially beat Toronto. It wasn’t in the cards.”

However, Ewing admitted it was his choice to leave New York. “I was there 15 years,” Ewing said. “I wanted to try something else. I felt it was time to move on. It was my idea. They were moving in a different direction and didn’t see myself fitting into the scheme.”

“I’m not going to sit here and bad-mouth the Knicks,” Ewing added. “The fans treated me very well when I came back [Feb. 27]. They tried to get me to cry but I held it in.”