Jarrett Jack’s eye is starting to wander.
When the Knicks’ starting point guard came back from the All-Star break, he was devout in his belief in wanting to stay a Knick the rest of the season, even if his role was reduced.
After owning the starting spot since the season’s fourth game, Jack, 34, came back to a whole new world. He hasn’t seen the court in three straight games.
Jack may not have fully expected the startling transformation of his role.
The Knicks prefer to stick with Jack as a mentor for their three 25-and-under point-guard lottery picks. And though Jack is leaning toward not making a fuss, he finally admitted he might explore “my possible options’’ with Thursday’s approaching waiver deadline on playoff eligibility.
“People have brought it up to me,” Jack said after his latest DNP in the Warriors’ 125-111 rout of the Knicks on Monday. “It wasn’t something I was super thinking when the situation changed. But if it happens, it happens. I try to control what I can control. Right now this is my role for the moment. I’ll try to be good at that as I was at the other one.’’
The Wizards were in the market for an extra point guard and just signed, coincidentally, Ramon Sessions, whom the Knicks recently cut. Sessions is on a 10-day deal, and Jack is a Washington product.
Asked about whether Thursday’s deadline intrigues him, Jack said: “To be honest, I don’t know. I’ve never been in this situation before. I never even thought about jumping from one team in the middle of the season to join another. That’s what other guys have done. I’ve never done it before.
“Maybe I do need to sit down and look at a list of what my possible options are. As of today, I’m here with the Knicks and will try to help in any capacity I can.’’
Jack is not the only veteran feeling a minutes crunch in this post-Kristaps Porzingis developmental scheme to finish the season.
Jack’s starting backcourt mate across this season, Courtney Lee, is also being phased out, though still starting.
Lee was held to just 11 minutes against Golden State, going scoreless. In the prior two games — against Orlando and Boston — Lee played 30 minutes combined during his career-best season as a scorer.
The difference is Lee has two years left on his contract, while Jack will be a free agent after the season. The philosophy of turning point guard Frank Ntilikina into a faux shooting guard to play alongside Emmanuel Mudiay or Trey Burke doesn’t bode well for Lee’s future.
Already, Lee shared the shooting-guard role with Tim Hardaway Jr., who is 25 and still part of the long-term plan of Knicks brass. Lee and Hardaway have started at the 2 and 3 all season.
“As a player, competitor, it’s definitely tough,” Lee said. “I’m not the coach. I’m not in the front office. If that’s the decision they’re making, they’re going with, all I can do is be professional and control what I can control. That’s coming in every day and working hard, be positive.”
After making a solid return from knee surgery, Jack has been a good mentor and leader for Ntilikina. Jeff Hornacek is pleased with how Jack has handled his sudden demotion. Jack would have to come to the Knicks if he wants to be released.
“He’s a great pro — he understands the situation with our three young guards,” Hornacek said. “If you sit anywhere near the bench, you hear him all game, encouraging them, trying to give them things to look out for during timeouts. It’s like another coach out there for the point guards.’’
Waiving Jack would open up a roster spot to sign another young G League player — similar to recently added Troy Williams.
Jack admitted adjusting is not as easy as Hornacek laid it out.
“Obviously I’d like to be on the court, but they’re allowing some of these young guys to get opportunities, show where they’re at against other guys in this league,” Jack said. “It’s a coach’s decision. All you can do is sit there and be a professional and help them when you’re not in the game. And if they did call you, still be ready.’’
Hornacek informed both Jack and Lee in Orlando, before the first game out of the break, that their minutes would be on the decline. The three young point guards have performed well enough to keep Hornacek’s directive in place.
“[They’ve been] true to their word,’’ Lee said.
Jack said that Hornacek “said we’re going to lean toward playing these young guys. I don’t know if that means for the rest of the season. If it’s not, I’ll be ready and still come to work and do my normal routine.”