Stoudemire could still be useful as a second-unit scorer, but it is hard to envision him back in a starting role. Anthony thrived this season at power forward, Stoudemire’s position, and the Knicks had their most success when Stoudemire was out, going 21-9 to start the season and 21-5 after his second knee operation.

Team officials will surely shop Stoudemire again, as they have repeatedly for two seasons, but his suspect knees and his contract — which has two years and $46.8 million remaining — make him virtually impossible to trade.

Smith briefly auditioned for the co-star’s role, even winning sixth man of the year honors while earning praise — clearly premature — for his apparent maturation. Then came the playoffs, and he reverted to old, bad habits, on and off the court. He will be remembered for poor play and poor judgment this postseason, for elbowing Boston’s Jason Terry and for clubbing with Rihanna.

It is the most twisted of silver linings that Smith’s erratic spring will probably help the Knicks keep him this summer. No team is going to overbid for him now.

That still leaves the Knicks with a talent deficit and a payroll with no flexibility. Anthony, Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler are due $58.2 million next season — the equivalent of this season’s salary cap — and the Knicks are committed to at least six others who will push the payroll well into luxury-tax territory if Smith stays. That means the Knicks cannot acquire players through sign-and-trade deals and will be limited only to cap exceptions.

They cannot count on much growth from within. Iman Shumpert, who turns 23 next month, is the only rotation player younger than 29.

The Knicks are paying the price for their obsessive pursuit of aging veterans last summer. Rasheed Wallace and Kurt Thomas did not last the season. Marcus Camby barely played but is guaranteed $4.4 million next season. Jason Kidd was invaluable in the locker room and for a time on the court, but he faded badly in the playoffs and is owed $3.1 million in each of the next two seasons, unless he retires.