CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This doesn’t mean Knicks center Enes Kanter is opting out, but he’s ready to sign with a new agent — the highly regarded Mark Bartelstein, who runs Priority Sports, according to an industry source.

Kanter, who has one year left on his contract worth $18.6 million, is expected to sign with Bartelstein this week, the source said.

Kanter said recently he was seeking a new agent to help him with his decision, but won’t evaluate his situation until after the season because it would cheat his teammates.

However, before the Knicks faced the Hornets on Monday, Kanter said he also sought a new agent to get more endorsements after running into roadblocks because of his hostile relationship with the Turkish government. Kanter revealed Nike wouldn’t give him a shoe deal because it does business in Turkey and didn’t want to be compromised. Right now Kanter said he has no shoe deal.

“I hope so,’’ Kanter said of gaining more endorsements. “That’s why I’m signing with him. Maybe he’ll get me something. I make almost no money off the court because of the Turkish stuff. Most American companies are scared to give me any contract because what’s going on with Turkey. Maybe with a new agent I’ll get some Chinese, Philippines shoe deal.”

Kanter said of signing an agent, “It’s important. I’m a basketball player. I need someone to represent me. I heard some good thing about the Mark guy. I haven’t signed anything yet.’’

Kanter will still be represented by Maestro Sports for other endeavors, as he takes advantage of the New York limelight — recently appearing as a guest on one of his favorite TV shows, “Impractical Jokers.”

While Kanter hasn’t been happy with his fourth-quarter minutes, the loquacious Knicks first-year center loves New York and its attention and is putting up his best numbers in averaging a double-double — 14.0 points and 10.9 rebounds — and being fourth in the league with 3.9 offensive rebounds per game.

His defensive issues and lack of a mid-range shot will give the Knicks a lot of pause if he opts out as they protect their 2019 cap space.

Kanter, with his old-school style, could find the market soft because few teams have cap space this summer. The 25-year-old will have made a blunder if all that’s available for him is a long-term deal starting at the $8 million mid-level exception.

Emmanuel Mudiay, who lost the starting job Sunday in Washington, missed Monday’s game because of illness. He’s been battling flu-luke symptoms for nearly a week. Hornacek started Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Lance Thomas, opting to bring Frank Ntilikina off the bench with Mudiay out.

Burke made his second straight start as a Knick after beating his former team, the Wizards, after which Washington guard Bradley Beal said Burke was “on a mission’’ and made it “personal.”

Since the Knicks faced Charlotte nine days ago, Hornets coach Steve Clifford said ex-Knick Willy Hernangomez is making marked improvements just in the last nine days with his defense, running the offense and posting two double-digit games. Clifford was hard on Hernangomez before the Garden meeting. … Rookie SG Damyean Dotson still is out with a sprained foot and Kyle O’Quinn with a strained hip.