TORONTO — Jeremy Tyler made his first road trip of preseason Monday, traveling to Canada, still in a walking boot, still hoping the Knicks wait for him to get out of it.
The 6-foot-10 Tyler was a sensation in the Las Vegas summer league, and afterward signed a contract that contains only a small guarantee. The 22-year-old then underwent surgery on a stress fracture in his right foot in early September to make him unavailable for training camp.
Now the question is whether the Knicks, desperate for a big man off the bench when the season opens, release him when the preseason is over. Or will they bet on his potential, even if the foot could remain a question mark?
The competent but unspectacular play of the three big men the Knicks invited to camp on non-guaranteed deals – center Cole Aldrich and forwards Josh Powell and Ike Diogu – certainly enhances Tyler’s chances of sticking.
Aldrich was a DNP on Monday night in a double-overtime game in Toronto. Diogu made a defensive blunder in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime, though he has been most impressive of the trio with his high motor.
But he doesn’t have the size or gifts of Tyler, who jumped from high school to play professionally in Israel and Japan before being drafted in the second round in 2011.
“My hopes are high,’’ Tyler told The Post in his first interview of camp. “It would be great if they did. Certain circumstances, I totally understand. I’m not expecting it. I’m just here to work every day.’’
If Tyler were healthy, the Aldrich-Powell-Diogu battle would be of little consequence. Add the uncertain situations of Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin for the start of the season and the Knicks need a big body defensively to spell Tyson Chandler.
The way he dominated in summer league with his active play, Tyler, if healthy, would have fit in seamlessly in preseason.
“I wouldn’t call it frustrating,’’ Tyler said. “I definitely am getting a complete concept of the game. Like every kid, I want to play, but out of every negative you find a positive. It’s teaching me patience, teaching me a new view of the game and really understanding the game. And when the time is right, you unleash everything you’ve been holding.’’
When will that be? Tyler still doesn’t know exactly. His initial timetable would have him back around mid-November.
“It’s kind of early, hopefully a few weeks, but there’s no set date,’’ Tyler said. “The foot is getting stronger. I’m really focusing on a lot of different parts of my body, not trying to rush it and focus on my mental.’’
The Knicks have not told Tyler definitively if he will remain on the roster, but he said he’s gotten good vibes. On Tuesday, at a workout at Humber College, coach Mike Woodson said he is leaning toward keeping Tyler.
“I think we owe him that,” Woodson said.
Tyler said: “I keep showing up, showing commitment to getting better. They haven’t told me anything official. If I keep working, things will work out.’’
Knicks president Steve Mills identified backup center as the lone need on the club.
“The opportunity is there,’’ Tyler said. “I just have to work and fight for it.’’