Don’t expect the Knicks to be in a playoff race this season. That is according to TNT’s Stan Van Gundy and Reggie Miller.

But the new TNT voice, Van Gundy, was unusually complimentary about the Knicks’ outlook, saying the club is “headed in the right direction.’’

The elder Van Gundy brother called last season’s Knicks “unwatchable,’’ but gave kudos to team president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry for picking themselves up off the mat after failing to land Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving in free agency.

Van Gundy, the former Heat, Magic and Pistons coach, has delivered his share of digs at the Knicks in the past – possibly over how his brother Jeff was treated during his tenure as head coach from 1996-2001.

In Wednesday’s conference call to promote TNT’s coverage, which includes Friday’s preseason finale between the Knicks and Zion Williamson’s Pelicans, Van Gundy and Miller each projected the chances of the Knicks being in the race as slim. The franchise is carrying a six-year playoff drought.

Van Gundy says their lack of stars will ultimately doom them.

“I don’t think they are a playoff team,’’ Van Gundy said. “But I will say this: I thought their front office, Scott Perry and Steve Mills, did a good job. They got raked over the coals. Everyone expected them to get one of the major free agents and they didn’t. They went to Plan B and did a good job and got more competitive.’’

That won’t help the Knicks snap their playoff drought, but at least, Van Gundy said, they have a future after drafting RJ Barrett and signing seven free agents – six of whom have one-year deals with team options. Van Gundy said if the Knicks show improvement, they may be a stronger factor in 2020 free agency, though the class is weak.

“They got a better team and retain their flexibility,’’ Van Gundy said. “One of the things we saw this summer was important to free agents, it wasn’t just the money and place, but how is the organization doing? They can chase free agents next summer, but also left themselves flexibility for the [new] guys who play well — they have options and can re-sign them. I think they are headed in the right direction — a better direction than they were before. But it’s going to be a long process.”

Inside the Tarrytown campus, the Knicks players believe they are going to be engaged in a playoff race. But Van Gundy says without a proven star, it’s not happening. He indicated Julius Randle is not that guy.

“There’s just not a lot there aside from Barrett and [Kevin] Knox,’’ Van Gundy said. “Those other guys are good players. They’re OK. But there’s nobody to lean on. It’s going to take them some time. If everything goes well and they stay real healthy, the East isn’t strong, maybe they get in a battle for the eighth spot, but I don’t think so.’’

Miller, the former Knick-killing sharpshooting star, said this season is about developing the young players and said “no’’ when asked if they’d be in the playoff race.

“They have to get their young players up and running,’’ he said.

Miller called David Fizdale “an unbelievable coach’’ because of his Miami Heat roots.

“A lot of times his hands may be tied,’’ Miller said. “It’s how quickly these young players can come along with the seasoned veterans they added. They were one of the worst-shooting teams a season ago. They added a few pieces to shore that up a little. But it’s about the young players. How hard and committed is Kevin Knox? He was up and down.”

Miller sees a jumble at point guard as the preseason battle among Elfrid Payton, Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina enters Wednesday’s game against the Hawks.

“A lot of questions Fizdale has to answer,’’ Miller said. “It’s a point-guard league. You need a floor general out there. Who can they trust out of those three guys?’’

On Friday, the Knicks will get their first taste of Williamson, who has averaged 25.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists in the past three preseason games, all wins. His efficiency has been astounding, making 29 of 36 shots in that span.

“I don’t know if anyone has come into the league with the fanfare or excitement since LeBron in 2003,’’ Van Gundy said. “The way he’s played in exhibition games has only heightened the excitement. But every time I hear him talk, he talks about his teammates.”