One of president Phil Jackson’s big decisions this season is whether to trade J.R. Smith, and the club had recent conversations with the Pacers regarding ex-Knick Chris Copeland, according to a league source.

The 6-foot-9 Copeland, whom the Pacers signed in July 2013, has an expiring contract after bolting the Knicks for a two-year, $6 million deal, so he wouldn’t affect their 2015 cap space.

Smith, meanwhile, can opt out of the $6.4 million he has coming in 2015-16, but there’s still a chance he will wait to be a free agent until 2016 when the salary cap is expected to rise dramatically. The Knicks are trying to open up as much cap space as possible and would benefit if Smith opts out or if they trade him for an expiring contract.

Through three games, Copeland, a combo forward, is averaging 16 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 30 minutes, though he is still coming off the bench. Last season, Copeland was an afterthought, getting into 41 contests and not making a single start. He had a strong season off the bench with the Knicks in 2012-13 after being plucked out of the Belgian League by European scout Kevin Wilson.

According to a source, Jackson has no plans to make any deals until Dec. 15 — a key NBA date as 2014 free-agent signees and 2014 draft picks are eligible to be traded.

Before training camp began, Jackson made an interesting remark in a Q&A with The Post’s Steve Serby when discussing Smith, comparing him to Dennis Rodman but being unclear on his future.

“I don’t know if that’s possible or not,’’ Jackson said when asked how to cure Smith’s off-the-court immature antics. “He might be one of those guys that’s a little bit like Dennis Rodman, that has an outlier kind of side to him. But I’m going to get to know him as we go along, and we’ll find a way to either make him a very useful player in our organization, or whatever.’’

Entering the season, the Pacers lost a lot of firepower at the wing with Paul George’s season-ending leg injury, Lance Stephenson’s free-agent departure and even Danny Granger’s exit. The Pacers could use an experienced wing scorer, though Smith comes with baggage, recent back spasms and a sore hip.

Smith is getting more used to the triangle’s flow after a brutal preseason in which he called it “a struggle.’’

After shooting 2-of-8 in the season opener, Smith scored 11 points with seven assists Thursday in Cleveland but regressed Sunday, as he finished with seven points on 3-of-7 shooting with four turnovers and two assists in the Knicks’ 96-93 victory. The Knicks have a logjam at shooting guard with Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway.

Amar’e Stoudemire’s wife, Alexis, ran Sunday’s New York City Marathon. She recently was inducted into her high school hall of fame in Arizona in volleyball and track.

“She’s the athlete in the family,’’ Stoudemire cracked, adding she is considering doing his vinotherapy (wine bath) Monday.

Andrea Bargnani is still at least several games away from making his season debut, according to coach Derek Fisher, with next week the earliest he can return.

The Knicks originally stated Bargnani would be out the first three games, but Fisher said with the busy week, they may not have a full practice until next week, but may ease Bargnani in with contact drills.

“I don’t necessarily foresee it,’’ Fisher said of Bargnani coming back this week. “Hopefully it’s soon. That’s the best answer. Andrea is progressing. I don’t think it’s fair to put a player out there before he has practiced.’’