POWERS THAT BEA'

Knicks need forward if they let the ‘Walking Bucket’ walk

Michael Beasley was invited by Knicks president Steve Mills and coach David Fizdale to join them on a float in the Pride Parade last Sunday in New York. Perhaps it was a way for Fizdale to see how much Beasley has changed. As the Knicks figure out how to fill their stopgap starting power forward position during an expected quiet free agency, Beasley is still in the mix, according to NBA sources, but hardly a given. Knicks brass is doing its due diligence in investigating the rest of the mid-level power forward market as they are expected to wield an $8.6 million exception when free agency begins Sunday. Enes Kanter’s decision to opt into his $18.6 million contract will leave the Knicks without cap space, but they don’t have a lot of open spots on their 15-man roster anyway. The Knicks have added their two draft picks, Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson, to the roster. Only Jarrett Jack, Kyle O’Quinn and Beasley are not under contract for next season, if formerly exiled Joakim Noah at- tends training camp. That really leaves just one spot — two if the Knicks use the stretch provision on Noah before Sept. 1.

But other than Beasley, the Knicks have no ideal starter at power forward to fill in for Kristaps Porzingis, who could be out as late as February as he recovers from ACL surgery.

As Mills has confirmed, the Knicks are only offering one-year deals to protect their 2019 cap space for their next big splash, perhaps Kyrie Irving. Who knows? LeBron James, friends with Fizdale, could sign another one-year deal with an opt-out, leaving him free in 2019.

For now, that means they may have to overpay to get a viable power forward for this lotterybound season.

One emerging forward of interest is Pistons journeyman Anthony Tolliver, 33, who ranked sixth in 3-point shooting percentage last season at 43.6 percent. Tolliver shot 51 percent from 3-point land in March and April after adopting a new technology/analytics service. He has turned into the stretch-4, hustling defensive type Fizdale likes. Fizdale coached Tolliver on the Miami summer league team in 2008.

The Knicks have interest, as do the Pistons, but they have a new coach in Dwane Casey. The Pistons are too close to the luxury-tax line to re-sign Tolliver unless they move a contract.

According to sources, the Knicks may want a high-character veteran to come in with their mid-level exception and be a good influence on their young players. Beasley was a scoring machine at times this past season (13.2 points per game, 50.7 field-goal percentage), but he has had his career quirks. Fizdale coached Beasley during two separate terms in Miami.

There are other candidates the Knicks like who are in their price and term range on the market. Jeff Green improved his stock with a decent season in Cleveland after signing for the veteran’s minimum. Veteran Ersan Ilyasova is a nice 3-point shooter, which is a priority for Fizdale at that position. Defensive forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who suffered a major shoulder injury last season with the Rockets, and Ed Davis have credentials.

Beasley’s market value is an unknown after signing for the veteran’s minimum last summer on his way to becoming a Garden favorite. According to sources, Portland, Atlanta and Milwaukee could have interest. Kevin Durant lobbied last season for Golden State to make a play for Beasley, his buddy from Washington, D.C. The Warriors have discussed Beasley internally for the veteran’s minimum, but it doesn’t look like they will make a move.