NEW YORK — There are two days remaining until the NBA’s cut-down day, and the New York Knicks have 18 players battling for 15 roster spots.

The Knicks, however, have only two point guards on guaranteed contracts and would have to cut an additional player, likely a forward or center, to add a third. And while Derrick Rose has tended to a sexual assault case in California, it’s been 32-year-old Sasha Vujacic who’s backed-up Brandon Jennings at the point — an eerie thought for those fearful of an injury to the back court.

By week’s end, Knicks president Phil Jackson must put his team in position to end a three-year playoff drought that has included a 49-115 record over the past two seasons.

Chasson Randle and Ron Baker, each vying for the role of third point guard, are on the outside looking in.

“We’ve got some very close calls on some guys, guys who could make the team or not,” said coach Jeff Hornacek.

Jackson gave the Knicks a shot of adrenaline, adding Rose, Jennings, Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee over the summer. But as productive an offseason as it was, some moves were questionable.

Jackson seemed a bit trigger-happy with the Maurice Ndour signing, a move that would have made more sense a year ago. And he left fans scratching their heads at the Lou Amundson deal that absorbed New York’s 15th and final guaranteed roster spot.

Now, the Knicks are loaded — or log-jammed — in the front court. And with Rose absent all but one preseason game, the team’s October play could be indicative of regular season misfortune.

YOU BE THE GM

Both Rose and Jennings have well-documented injury histories, and Vujacic has run amok as B.J.’s preseason back-up.

Anthony told reporters health is not a concern because “everybody is healthy.”

“Everybody came into camp knowing that they were healthy,” he said after Saturday’s loss to Boston. “Nobody came into came into camp saying, ‘we can’t do this’ or ‘we can’t do that ’cause we’re hurt, or we’re gonna get hurt.’ I don’t think nobody is thinking about injuries at this point.”

But Murphy’s Law has had its way with the New York franchise, and if the things that can go wrong indeed do go wrong, a third point guard is a necessity.

Enter Randle, Baker and you, assuming the role of Knicks president of basketball operations effective immediately.

Your advance scout puts these materials on your desk:

Your materials:

• Baker vs. Randle: A comprehensive scouting report (Pg. 2)
• The Chopping Block: What other reserve players have done in the preseason (Pg. 3)
• The Odd Men Out: Your advance scout’s recommendations [POLL] (Pg. 4)

Scouting Report: Ron Baker vs. Chasson Randle

Immediately, Ron Baker has an advantage: health.

A CT scan revealed Chasson Randle suffered a left orbital fracture colliding with a teammate in practice. He is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, though he won’t require surgery.

Hornacek said the injury won’t hurt his chances at making the roster.

Randle separated himself from the Knicks’ Orlando Summer League team (league second-best 18.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.3 RPG, 3.0 SPG through 3 games), but he and Baker have been neck-and-neck in the preseason vying for a potential roster spot.

Randle did, though, earn a glowing endorsement from the Knicks’ All-Star forward.

“I love him. I just love his poise out there, the way he controls the game, controls the basketball,” Anthony said of Randle. “He can push the pace. He can slow it down. I think you guys would love him, too, the more that you see him play.”

On the other hand, the 6-foot-4 Baker is more of a shooting guard than a point. But he has played an intelligent brand of basketball, doing the little things to help the Knicks win. And if the best ability is availability, the check goes to the guy O’Quinn calls “Ron Burgundy.”

Hornacek’s reviews

What Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek has said about each of his young guards.

Hornacek may not have slighted Baker, but his comments beam high praise for Randle:

ON RANDLE: “He has a good understanding how to play [the Triangle], where the shots are, but the bigger thing is he has great hands, gets low on defense. Offensively, he understands what’s going on, but defensively is where, as a point guard, it’s tough playing some of these guys, get over screens, does a great job getting his hands on balls, he recovers, got long arms. He may not be that tall, but he’s got long arms. He’s just a smooth player, doesn’t press, lets the game come to him.”

“I think Chasson’s done great. We’ve seen great things from him in what he can do. He’s got a great knack for the game… He’s just gonna keep plugging along. I’ve been impressed with what he’s done so far.”

ON BAKER: “He’s got the strength to play in the NBA. He gets knocked around but he also knocks guys around. He’s able to fight through screens. He’s pretty calm out there, it doesn’t look like anything rattles him. He’s just a solid guy. He’s got long arms, he’s got the strength, he knows how to play.”

“He’s does a lot of things in the offense that not many of our guys do. And they’re basically reads that are setting up other guys. So Ron, again, is one of these young players who has no fear when he gets out there.”

Numbers Never Lie

A quick glance at preseason advanced statistics

The stats don’t tell the whole story, a sentiment amplified by meaningless preseason games. But with only two games left until the Knicks opener, the numbers are trending toward Baker’s positive impact on the team over Randle’s impressive shooting percentages.

Randle’s true shooting percentage of 58.2 places him as the second-best Knicks guard behind Sasha Vujacic. But New York is averaging 110.1 points per 100 possessions with Baker on the floor versus just 95.7 with Randle on the floor, per NBA.com.

Baker’s 21.7 assists per 100 possessions more than doubles Randle’s 10.8, while Randle’s Player Impact Estimate of 5.4 is the second-worst on the team behind Courtney Lee (3.8).

Again, it’s just preseason, but the numbers are always good to have. And the numbers give a slight edge to Baker as a team player over Randle as a perimeter scorer.

Your materials:

• Introduction (Pg. 1)
• Baker vs. Randle: A comprehensive scouting report (Pg. 2)
• The Chopping Block: What other reserve players have done in the preseason (Pg. 3)
• The Odd Men Out: Your advance scout’s recommendations (Pg. 4)

The Chopping Block

The Knicks may have 15 guaranteed contracts, but management isn’t afraid of cutting one in favor of another.

“We have a lot of guys under contract, and they’re all fighting for a place,” Hornacek told reporters during training camp at West Point. “No one’s guaranteed… The Knicks organization, I don’t think they’re afraid to cut a guy with a guaranteed contract if there’s another guy that’s better.

“So these guys are competing every day and there may be one or two of these guys that can make it, so you never know.”

Here are the eight players you, as president, have the option to cut by Friday:

MAURICE NDOUR
Age: 24 | Height: 6-9 | College: Ohio | Position: Forward
Contract: 3 years, 1 guaranteed at $543k

vs. Boston: 21 MIN, 2 PTS (1-6 FG), 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO, 5 FLS
vs. Washington: 16 MIN, 2 PTS (1-2 FG), 3 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL,
vs. Brooklyn: 21 MIN, 12 PTS (6-10 FG), 4 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL,
vs. Houston: 13 MIN, 2 PTS (1-3 FG), 1 AST, 2 STL
Last season (Real Madrid): 9.1 MPG, 2.1 PPG, .557 FG%, 1.6 RPG

Notes:
Seemingly versatile defender. Plays hard. Proud to be a Knickerbocker. Scored only 2 points in 3 of 4 preseason games. Has only attempted 1 three-pointer. Is averaging 2 steals through 4 preseason games. Has not separated talent from rest of bench.

LOU AMUNDSON
Age: 33 | Height: 6-9 | College: UNLV | Position: Power Forward
Contraxt: 1 year, $980k

vs. Brooklyn: 8 MIN, 2 PTS (1-2 FG), 1 REB, 3 AST
Last season: 7.0 MPG, 1.8 PPG, 1.7 RPG

Notes:
Smart player. Average rebounder. Slightly above average passer. Doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally well. Poor free throw shooter (.444 over career). Puts team before anything.

KYLE O’QUINN
Age: 26 | Height: 6-10 | College: Norfolk State | Position: Forward-Center
Contract: 3 years, $12.25 remaining

Log:
vs. Boston: 8 MIN, 6 PTS (3-5 FG), 0 REB, 1 AST, 1 TO
vs. Washington: 12 MIN, 2 PTS (1-1 FG), 2 REB, 1 AST, 2 TO
vs. Brooklyn: 12 MIN, 4 PTS (2-3 FG), 3 REB, 2 AST
vs. Houston: 18 MIN, 4 PTS (1-4 FG), 9 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL
Last season (Knicks): 11.8 MPG, 4.8 PPG, .478 FG%, 3.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.8 BPG

Notes:
Erratic offensively, vocal defensive presence. Can improve finishing at the rim. Great passer. Once unfollowed Kevin Seraphin on all social media. Fan-favorite, Queens native. Great locker room guy. UberPOOL connoisseur.

MINDAUGAS KUZMINSKAS
Age: 26 | From: Lithuania | Position: Forward
Contract: 2 years, $6 million

Log:
vs. Boston: 19 MIN, 18 PTS (7-16 FG, 3-7 3PT), 10 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK
vs. Brooklyn: 12 MIN, 7 PTS (3-4 FG, 1-2 3PT), 2 AST, 1 STL
vs. Houston: 6 MIN, 7 PTS (3-5 FG), 1 AST
Last season (Unicaja): 20.5 MPG, 11.1 PPG, .485 FG%, 3.2 RPG, 1.1 APG

Notes:
Fills void left by Derrick Williams’ departure. Sneaky athleticism and surprisingly capable shooter. Runs the floor. Has potential to stick in NBA. Nickname is pronounced “KOOZ.”

Willy Hernangomez
Age: 22 | Height: 6-11 |From: Spain | Position: Center
Contract: 4 years, 3 guaranteed at $4.3 million

Log:
vs. Boston: 24 MIN, 12 PTS (6-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 12 REB, 1 AST
vs. Washington: 18 MIN, 2 PTS (1-2 FG), 3 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK, 5 TO
vs. Brooklyn: 20 MIN 12 PTS (6-10 FG), 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 TO
vs. Houston: 16 MIN, 4 PTS (2-4 FG), 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL
Last season (Real Madrid): 12.6 MPG, 6.6 PPG, .667 FG%, 3.8 RPG)

Notes:
Has wowed with veteran-like poise atypical of a rookie. Can argue for first center off bench behind Noah. Reminiscent of a certain duo of Spanish big men. Steps ahead of the next play. Not too much of a defensive presence.

Marshall Plumlee
Age: 24 | Height: 7-0 | College: Duke | Position: Center
Contract: 3 years, 1 guaranteed at $543k

vs. Washington: 18 MIN, 6 PTS (3-4 FG), 5 REB, 2 AST
vs. Brooklyn: 11 MIN, 4 PTS (1-1 FG, 2-6 FT), 1 REB, 1 BLK
vs. Houston: 9 MIN, 4 PTS (2-4 FG), 2 REB, 2 BLK, 1 STL
Last season (Duke): 30.5 MPG, 8.3 PPG, .688 FG%, 8.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG

Notes:
Not as athletic as his Hornacek-coached older brother, Miles. Decent rebounder. Does not offer much outside of the dotted line. Solid 250-pound frame. Could be hard screener.

Justin Holiday
Age: 27 | Height: 6-6 | College: Washington | Position: Guard
Contract: 1 year, $1.01 million

Log:
vs. Boston: 24 MIN, 13 PTS (5-9 FG, 2-4 3PT), 4 REB, 5 AST
vs. Washington: 6 MIN, 2 PTS (1-5 FG), 1 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL
vs. Brooklyn: 10 MIN, 0 PTS (0-3 FG, 0-2 3PT), 1 REB
vs. Houston: 18 MIN, 4 PTS (1-6 FG, 1-4 3PT), 2 REB, 2 AST
Last season: 14.6 MPG, 4.5 PPG, .343 3P%, 1.1 APG

Notes:
Entering pivotal contract year at 27 years old. Pesky defender and streaky three-point shooter, though not much of a shot creator. Can develop into Lance Thomas-type player. Gives much needed depth at guard position. 

Sasha Vujacic
Age: 32 | Height: 6-7 | From: Yugoslavia | Position: Guard
Contract: 1 year, $980k

vs. Boston: 23 MIN, 13 PTS (5-9 FG, 2-5 3PT), 1 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL
vs. Washington: 6 MIN, 4 PTS (1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT), 1 REB
vs. Brooklyn: 13 MIN, 11 PTS (3-5 FG, 3-4 3PT, 2-2 FT), 2 REB
vs. Houston: 10 MIN, 5 PTS (2-5 FG, 1-3 3PT), 1 REB, 3 AST
Last season (Knicks): 14.9 MPG, 4.9 PPG, .364 3PT%, 2.4 RPG, 1.6 APG

Notes:
Combo guard. Pushes pace like a madman. Most knowledgeable of Triangle Offense. Two-time NBA champion. Pesky, pressing defender. Streaky shooter. Lacks lateral quickness defensively.

Unlikely: C. Anthony, K. Porzingis, D. Rose, J. Noah, C. Lee, B. Jennings, L. Thomas

Your materials:

• Baker vs. Randle: A comprehensive scouting report
• The Chopping Block: What players have done in the preseason 
• The Odd Men Out: Your advance scout’s recommendations [POLL]

The Odd Men Out

Ron Baker is a solid guard who can potentially find himself as a role player on a decent NBA team, but he needs to refine his game in the D-League first.

Chasson Randle is a proven winner (led CEZ Nymburk to 2015-16 Czech league title) and a capable perimeter scorer, two things the Knicks will need to combat back court injuries.

For Randle to join, someone must go.

On Knicks media day, Brandon Jennings said he wanted New York to select him in the 2009 NBA Draft but that “timing is everything.”

The timing may not have been right for Maurice Ndour.

Ndour is a tweener forward who wowed Knicks fans in the 2015 Summer League before signing a Dallas training camp deal and eventually sticking with Real Madrid.

But Hornacek already envisions Lance Thomas’ versatility in a small ball lineup at the power forward. And if Mindaugas Kuzminskas continues to be as impressive as he’s been, Ndour’s minutes could be few and far between.

Another player making Jackson’s decision interesting is Marshall Plumlee.

Plumlee has been greatly overshadowed by Willy Hernangomez’s exceptional preseason play. And if both O’Quinn and Hernangomez share minutes backing-up Joakim Noah, Plumlee and Ndour could face similar fates.

Devout Knicks fans appreciate Lou Amundson’s will to do what’s necessary for the team. And while the timing of his signing was off, the message was consistent: team first.

Both Plumlee and Ndour stand to make $543,000 this season, regardless of whether they make the final 15-man roster or not.

Hornacek, though, coached Marshall Plumlee’s older brother, Miles, in Phoenix. And just like family ties may have landed him the job in New York, Plumlee’s bloodline might just keep him around.

Disagree? Vote below and leave a comment explaining your decisions. Remember, you’re the GM. And if your decision is the wrong one, your chair can get piping hot in the blink of an eye.

Kristian Winfield covers the New York Knicks for Elite Sports NY. You can start the conversation on Twitter @Krisplashed.