NBA

Walsh says Knicks have salary-cap room in 2012

Knicks team president Donnie Walsh said yesterday the team will have significant 2012 salary-cap space to potentially sign a third star player.

Walsh will be correct, unless a new NBA collective bargaining agreement foils the Knicks’ plan of adding point guard Chris Paul or Deron Williams to the Carmelo Anthony/Amar’e Stoudemire show.

Walsh said Tuesday’s 12-player blockbuster trade with the Nuggets gives the Knicks flexibility heading into the 2012 season.

“We retained room for the next summer, which is the summer we wanted to retain the room for,” Walsh said.

Stoudemire, Anthony and Renaldo Balkman ($1.5 million) are signed for 2012. But the new labor agreement could put a franchise tag on stars to restrict movement to players such as Paul. Plus, the owners’ recent proposal called for a salary cap of $45 million.

Walsh, asked if the Knicks will have enough room for a star in 2012, said, “If we choose to. You can divide it up and get two players. We’ll have cap room. No matter what happens, we’ll have cap room.”

NBA commissioner David Stern’s doomsday scenario would leave the Knicks $5 million under. But Walsh said if that happens “everybody’s going to have to go down, and $5 million could be the biggest in the league.”

According to a labor source, Knicks owner James Dolan is the most ardent supporter of a larger, softer cap — now more than ever.

*

Walsh said he will try to add a center to the decimated roster after the loss of Timofey Mozgov, either by trade or signing. Rumors had ex-Knick Jared Jeffries potentially being waived by Houston, but a league source said he likely will be traded — not to the Knicks.

They also have former Knicks Marcus Camby and Earl Barron, who is a free agent, on their radar. They would have to cut a player to open a roster spot for Barron — likely Balkman.

D’Antoni also raved about their 2010 second-round pick, Jerome Jordan, who is playing in Europe, saying he is destined for the club next season.

Of the new filler players, D’Antoni said he sees forward Shelden Williams and point guard Anthony Carter having a chance for the rotation.

*

Anthony, despite speculation he would choose Bernard King’s No. 30, will take jersey 7. Anthony can’t wear his No. 15 because it’s been retired twice, for Earl Monroe and Dick McGuire.

*

LeBron James on the trade: “I know he [Anthony] is happy about it. I’m glad that it’s over with for him. Everyone’s trying to compete with the Heat.” … Tonight is Knicks Legends Night, and Allan Houston will be honored as Player of the 2000s. Mark Jackson was to be inducted into the 1980s class, but won’t be able to make it because of the passing of his brother.