LAS VEGAS — So what’s next in the Knicks’ post-Melo-signing universe?
Phil Jackson said he needs to do minor tinkering to balance the roster, but there will be no big splashes now that Pau Gasol is off to Chicago. And Jackson may not even use the $3.3 million mini mid-level exception.
Jackson said the club needs more rebounding and has a glut of guards he needs to straighten out, but is very wary of giving out a long-term deal as he looks to protect the 2015 cap space. Jackson also has to see whether second-rounder Cleanthony Early can be Carmelo Anthony’s backup. The Zen Master said he has been impressed with Early, but still called him “green.’’
The Knicks will have major cap room in 2015 and center Marc Gasol is expected to be their top target — unless LeBron James opts out if things somehow crash in Cleveland.
“I want to be fiscally responsible,’’ Jackson said. “We’ve been a taxpayer team for some time and we want to eliminate that.
“We’re not going to foolishly throw money away because it’s available to us. We want to make appropriate moves that bring our team forward. We have a roster that we can’t add a whole lot of players.’’
Wayne Ellington and backup point guard Shane Larkin could be moved for a rebounding big man. The Knicks have inquired about New Orleans power forward Jason Smith and Washington’s Trevor Booker with their exception. Metta World Peace is also a free agent and sources say wants to get back to New York.
“We still need positions to be filled,’’ Jackson said. “We’re short big and long in the guard corps. We have to do roster management there.’’
The Post reported Sunday coach Derek Fisher has added a second assistant from his former Oklahoma City squad, Brian Keefe, according to an NBA source.
Keefe has been with the Thunder for seven seasons — five as an assistant, working under Scott Brooks. During his first two years with Oklahoma City, Keefe served as a player development coach.
Already on the staff is associate head coach Kurt Rambis, former Lakers assistant Rasheed Hazzard and former Oklahoma City assistant Joshua Longstaff.
Fisher said he wants to add one more assistant and there have been talks with Jim Cleamons, fired as a Bucks assistant in the wake of the Jason Kidd hiring.
Ex-Laker Rick Fox, who interviewed for the head job, said he is not being considered. Former Lakers assistant Frank Hamblen attended the Knicks practice Sunday, but could be a candidate.
Jackson on waiving Lamar Odom: “It hurt. We really wanted him to have an opportunity. He couldn’t break free from what was going on and get back on the basketball court.’’
Odom allegedly missed last season due to substance-abuse issues.