Knicks have eye on former Pacers center Foster

Pacers rugged free agent defensive center Jeff Foster has become the Knicks’ top priority with their $5 million mid-level exception, and former team president Donnie Walsh can earn his consulting fee if he can convince Foster to leave Indiana.

According to league sources, Walsh, who drafted Foster in 1999 for the Pacers when he traded for his rights, has pushed for the Knicks to sign the center, who has 5,206 career rebounds.

Today, team executives are permitted to talk to free agents and make recruiting visits. Walsh still lives in Indianapolis as a Knicks consultant and will attempt to sell the merits of playing in New York.

Foster, 34, is not making a recruiting visit to the Knicks. He was thought to be on his last legs as a health risk but boosted his play late last season and helped the Pacers earn a playoff spot.

Foster desperately wants to stay in Indiana and indicated he may be willing to take less money, since he wants to finish his career with Indiana, where he has played 12 seasons. In a bad sign for the Knicks, Foster showed up at the Pacers’ practice facility to work out Thursday on the first day teams unlocked the doors.

Foster made $6.7 million last season. The Knicks can outbid the Pacers on a one-year deal if they offer their $5 million mid-level exception. They appear to be willing to do so as long as they protect their 2012 space for the free-agent bonanza of Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Deron Williams