CLEVELAND — Call it big-man insurance for the playoffs.
With the Knicks worried 6-foot-11 reserve Jared Jeffries won’t make it through to the playoffs because of his chronic right knee injury, the team signed 6-foot-11 journeyman center Dan Gadzuric Friday and cut swingman Billy Walker.
Gadzuric, 34, an athletic big man out of UCLA, has played in 525 NBA games and is here in case Amar’e Stoudemire and specifically Jeffries break down in the playoffs.
Gadzuric, who did not play Friday night, played last season for the Nets, appearing in 14 games. He had played eight seasons for the Bucks. During the lockout he played in China, hurt his foot and has spent the last month in the D-League with the Texas Legends, averaging 12.0 points on 53.1 percent shooting and 11.3 rebounds in 25.7 minutes.
Jeffries, who had offseason knee surgery, sat out his second straight game last night in the Knicks’ 98-90 loss to the Cavs, and may shut it down until the playoffs. His knee continues to periodically swell up — he missed his 24th game last night — and he told The Post recently he will explore blood-spinning therapy in the offseason.
“It gives us another big,’’ interim coach Mike Woodson said. “Just in case Jared is not able to come back from his rest. It gives us a veteran big that’s been around that could use fouls and rebound.’’
Gadzuric, who played against J.R. Smith and Stephon Marbury in China, was cut because of his foot injury.
“My role’s not different from what I used to do in the past,’’ Gadzuric said. “Provide a lot of energy, what got me here. Rebounding, blocking shots, defense, being all over the court.’’
Regarding his return, Jeffries said the swelling is down but said rest might be the best course.
“It all depends on how I feel, but we’re in a good place now,’’ Jeffries said.
The Knicks also have rookie center Jerome Jordan and Josh Harrellson on the roster, but Woodson wanted a veteran as insurance. He does not like to depend on rookies. Plus, Walker was of no use to Woodson since returning from elbow surgery 12 days ago as he was no longer 100 percent.
Woodson said he would explore bringing Walker back next season. Walker was the Knicks starting small forward during part of the Linsanity run, going 6-1. But he had elbow surgery in early March, came back 10 daysago but appeared in just three games.
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Baron Davis was a last-minute scratch last night with a stomach virus, missing his second straight game. Mike Bibby (12 points, four assists) started at point guard. … Woodson dropped Landry Fields (eight points) to the bench to make room for Stoudemire, keeping rookie Iman Shumpert (six points) in at shooting guard. Woodson said the move was made so Shumpert can “put heat on the point guard.’’ Shumpert is a candidate for one of the two All-Defensive Teams.