TORONTO — Knicks president Phil Jackson met with former Laker Lamar Odom 10 days ago at the Garden during halftime of the game against the Nets, and now is reportedly considering signing Odom for the final couple of games with the team’s open roster spot.
According to a source, one part of the thinking in making an Odom addition now would be as a salary-cap measure in adding a potential trade pawn this summer if they decide he’s not worth keeping next season.
The Knicks would accomplish that by signing Odom to a non-guaranteed second year. Hence, Jackson can include him for cap purposes as a throw-in for a trade. It was a strategy former general manager Glen Grunwald employed two years ago.
Odom, 34, didn’t play this season, so technically he could be on a playoff roster, though the Knicks are on the verge of elimination. Odom sat out this season because of alleged drug problems and was arrested over the summer on a DUI charge.
He played five seasons for Jackson with the Lakers, winning two titles. The Queens product also was the 2011 Sixth Man of the Year. His agent is New York-based Jeff Schwartz, who also represents Knicks center Tyson Chandler.
Jackson has said he is on “a talent hunt’’ and could look at former players familiar with the triangle offense.
Carmelo Anthony, who scored 30 points in the Knicks’ 108-100 win over the Raptors on Friday night, said he might have more tests on his strained right shoulder after the season, but won’t now.
Anthony said he believes it’s not the same type of injury he sustained last season. He had a partial tear of his rotator cuff and labrum in his left shoulder but opted against surgery after the season.
Anthony said the right shoulder injury occurred when the Nets’ Joe Johnson was tugging at it in their battle 10 days ago.
Anthony said he could shut it down once the Knicks are officially eliminated.
“What is the test going to do at this point?’’ Anthony said. “If they say it’s really bad, I’m still not going to sit out. I’d rather to wait until it’s all over.’’
Anthony said it’s a different feeling than last season’s pain and feels it’s not torn.
“I don’t think so, it’s not the same thing as last year,’’ Anthony said. “Last year I tore my shoulder and labrum and rotator. This year it’s not the same. The pain is different. It’s more uncomfortable, trying to keep it warm throughout the game.’’
Woodson said he had expected Andrea Bargani would return at some point late in the season after tearing his elbow ligament Jan. 22.
Bargnani didn’t make the trip to Toronto.