At 24 years old, Julius Randle is considered one of the Knicks’ veterans and he’s not taking his responsibility as a leader lightly. The first-year Knicks forward gave Dennis Smith Jr. a pep talk after Smith struggled in his first preseason game.

“He told me it took two games to really find his rhythm and the third game he was comfortable,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to the same thing happening to me.

“It definitely helped with my confidence. He’s a guy that I respect. I see him come in and put his work in every day. Everybody goes through it. The key is just staying aggressive, like he did and I’m doing with myself.”

After missing the first two preseason games with a strained lower back, Smith struggled against the Hawks. On Friday, he didn’t shoot well against the Pelicans, making 2 of 12 shots to finish with nine points, but his overall game was better, notching six assists, nine rebounds and two steals.

“It’s just timing, get my legs and my rhythm. That’s all it is,” he said. “Even the first game, I couldn’t really get a rhythm. I had two early fouls. There was no rhythm in that. Last game, played 31 minutes and my wind is there.”

Smith is battling Elfrid Payton and Frank Ntilikina to be the starting point guard.