It’s a good thing Carmelo Anthony didn’t join the Lakers and bank on the health of buddy Kobe Bryant.

Bryant is now sidelined for nine months after tearing the rotator cuff in his left shoulder and will miss Super Bowl Sunday’s not-so-glamorous Knicks-Lakers matchup, which was removed from national TV for Chris Paul’s celebrity bowling event.

Anthony said the Lakers made a pitch last summer, late in the free-agency game. In fact, sources told The Post at May’s Chicago pre-draft camp the Lakers weren’t interested in an Anthony-Bryant pairing.

“They came in at the 25th hour, they swooped in there,’’ said Anthony, who owns an apartment in Los Angeles. “It was a great visit. The conversations I had with Kobe was just man to man. We both had to come to reality and say, ‘Is this what we really want?’ And it didn’t happen.

“We’ve been talking for a long time, man, especially this summer, just me and him communicating, and talking and being honest with one another as friends and brothers should be. It was a lot going on there on his behalf and my behalf trying to figure everything out.’’

The Lakers reportedly made a pitch that was all-Hollywood, trying to tantalize Anthony’s celebrity wife, La La Vasquez.

“It was a great presentation,’’ Anthony said.

Anthony said he believes Bryant — whose contract expires after next season — isn’t done with his career.

“I know him, and this is not the way he wants to go out,’’ Anthony said. “I’m pretty sure he’ll do whatever he has to do to get back on the court one more time before he hangs them shoes up.’’

Anthony also has been injury-prone the past few seasons. Bryant’s prior two seasons ended prematurely as well, including last season’s Achilles tendon tear. Anthony finished the last two years with small partial tears in both shoulders, but decided against surgery both times.

Two seasons ago, after the second-round playoff flameout against the Pacers, it was discovered Anthony had partial tears of his left rotator cuff and labrum.

“I think [Kobe’s] was torn all the way,’’ Anthony said. “Mine was torn partially, just a little. But I took a risk with both of my shoulders trying to stay away from surgery, seeing if it could heal on its own if I rehab it the right way and it went my way. His situation is totally different. He completely tore his rotator cuff, so he had to go get that surgery.’

Anthony and Bryant’s wives are also close.

“It’s tough to see my brother go through that right now this late in his career,’’ Anthony said. “It kills me to see him going through that.’’

The Lakers’ contest marks the third straight Knicks game that was supposed to be on national TV and was removed. Next month’s match on March 12 in Los Angeles also was spared a national viewing audience. The Lakers (13-34) and Knicks (9-38) are a combined 60 games under .500.

“The last three games were supposed to be on national TV and they took us off, but they’ll want us back on it soon,’’ Anthony said. “They’ll be back at us again.’’