Reliable veteran Ellington a major disappointment in Knicks’ lost season

HOUSTON — Wayne Ellington is a mystery of this woebegone Knicks season.

The 32-year-old veteran had made a career off steady shooting and improvement. Just last season, for instance, he started for a playoff team — the Pistons — while averaging 27.3 minutes and 12 points. Then he signed with the Knicks for a career-high salary (two years, $16 million), and Ellington’s trajectory turned upside down.

Prior to Monday’s loss to the Rockets, the Philly product was contributing just 5.1 points and 15.3 minutes per game while shooting a career-low 35.8% (34.6% from beyond the arc). His opportunities have been sporadic, and often non-existent. Friday’s loss to the Pacers represented another DNP-CD for Ellington. And he didn’t play again Monday against the Rockets.

“Obviously, I had an injury early in the season (a sore Achilles). Other than that, it’s been a crazy year, and I’ve been a casualty of that,” he told the Daily News, “As a veteran and understanding that as a professional, I’m all right. I can handle it. I think that’s one thing that’s understood. Just stay professional, stay with it, and I think what I’ve done in this league and what I bring to the table for a pretty good amount of time is understood and respected.”

The Knicks have no plans to buy out any of their veterans, according to Newsday, and logically it makes sense. Ellington is one of four Knicks who have team options on their contracts next season; their expiring salaries can be used as trade chips in the summer, even if New York isn’t interested in bringing them back.

Ellington has never grumbled nor sulked this season, maintaining the same professionalism that helped him elevate from a journeyman to a playoff contributor with Miami and Detroit. Still, frustration would be understandable. He went into the All-Star break on his best four-game stretch of his season, then returned to a DNP.

Asked about the communication from the team about his role, Ellington changed the subject.

“It’s been a wild year,” he said. “It is what it is. I’m ready. I just stay ready.”

In Monday’s game, James Harden scored 37 points as the Rockets earned their fourth straight victory.

Harden had 31 by halftime, helping Houston to a 72-57 lead at the break. He cooled down eventually, but his first-half work put the Rockets in control against the struggling Knicks, who lost their fourth in a row.

Harden, Russell Westbrook and P.J. Tucker arrived at the arena about 70 minutes before tip-off after attending Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s memorial service in Los Angeles. Westbrook was expected to play against the Knicks, but was scratched minutes before the game with a sore thumb.

The Knicks got 21 points from RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle added 17 points and 12 rebounds.