The Chris Smith Era ended Tuesday, Jeremy Tyler practiced and coach Mike Woodson promised there would be no friction between J.R. Smith and the Knicks’ new 6-foot-10 big man.
The Knicks announced Tyler, who was the last cut of training camp, re-signed with the club after averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds on 48 percent shooting in six games with Erie of the D-League.
Chris Smith, J.R.’s brother, was cut to make room on the 15-man roster. In a controversial move that raised eyebrows across the league, the unproven point guard was kept as 15th man on the roster in late October with Tyler rehabbing from a broken left foot.
But the controversy continued as Smith was about to be waived. J.R. posted an Instragram message in which he quoted a mob movie: “You know the sad thing about betrayal? It never comes from an enemy.”
That was an inauspicious greeting for Tyler, the vibrant big who impressed brass during the Las Vegas Summer League and figures to get a crack at energizing the Knicks’ lackluster rebounding unit.
The mercurial struggling shooting guard probably didn’t realize his message could be seen as anti-team. The locker room already isn’t as tight as last season, and the Knicks have fallen to 9-21.
It remained a sensitive topic Tuesday. J.R. Smith walked off the gym floor toward a side exit, avoiding reporters moments after a Knicks public-relations executive whispered in his ear. Smith is not eligible to be traded until Jan. 15 under a quirky bylaw in the CBA.
Smith had spent 30 minutes extra as the last man on the court, doing drills with shooting coach Dave Hopla and assistants Jim Todd and Herb Williams.
Asked if Tyler’s presence could cause friction with J.R., Mike Woodson said, “I’m not even going to address that. Bottom line within our clique, we’re on the same page. We appreciated again the work Chris put in for our ballclub. He’ll land on his feet. He’s young enough if he continues to work hard.’’
According to a source close to the situation, Chris Smith is undecided about his future. The source said he may sit out a while to “weigh his options.’’ He will need to be picked up by a D-League team off the waiver wire to resume action. Smith had played on the Knicks D-League affiliate, Erie, before being recalled Dec. 17.
In preseason, Woodson admitted J.R. Smith’s presence and respect for the Smith family of Freehold, N.J., would be a factor in keeping Chris. Last June Chris signed up with agent Leon Rose, who also is the agent for J.R. and Carmelo Anthony, fueling rumors this could be a package deal.
Asked Tuesday at practice if it was tough to cut Smith considering his ties, Woodson said, “I got a fondness for everybody’s family on this team. I like our players, I like their families. Chris will get another opportunity if he continues to work, possibly somewhere else, possibly back here. You just never know. It’s not like he’s done.’’
The Post first reported Sunday the Knicks, looking for a youthful big man off the bench, were seriously considering signing Tyler before the Texas triangle trip, which starts Thursday in San Antonio. The Post reported Monday Chris Smith was expected to be sacrificed as a result.
“I feel I can help in the rebounding, knowing the offense, defensive rotations. Just being an all-around team player,’’ Tyler said.
After practice, Woodson said Tyler will have to earn playing time, with Kenyon Martin and Amar’e Stoudemire healthy as backup bigs. But the Knicks have plans for Tyler, otherwise they wouldn’t have gone to such an expense in bringing him back.
Though he signed for the minimum for second-year players at a prorated $775,000, with the Knicks’ luxury-tax situation, it will cost them a prorated $3.3 million.
“He’s an active kid,’’ Woodson said of Tyler’s first practice with the team. “Same things we saw in summer league. That’s why we were anxious to get him to vet camp, but unfortunately he had an injury. We got to continue to get him up to speed on what we’re doing. When he’s put in the game, he’s got to be ready to play.’’
Tyler has played part of two seasons with the Warriors and Hawks, holdings career averages of 3.6 point and 2.5 rebounds in 63 games (23 starts).
After his junior year at San Diego High School, Tyler took a circuitous route to the NBA, playing professionally in Israel (Maccabi Haifa) and Japan (Tokyo Apache) for two seasons.
“Just got [to] develop my game on and off the court, become a professional and learn how to live that lifestyle as a professional and play with guys almost at the highest level ,’’ Tyler said after practice. “It was to go learn, live in another country. I learned so much, even off the court. It was a pretty unique experience.’’