Former Shocker Cleanthony Early is due a huge increase in minutes now that he’s back to full strength.

The tanking Knicks have no other reason to sit Early other than he’s just too good. Unfortunately, that can’t be proven because he’s only played in 14 games.

The New York Knicks (8-37) are a train wreck. Rookie head coach Derek Fisher is struggling with implementing the Triangle Offense. Carmelo Anthony is suffering from a nagging knee injury. JR Smith and Iman Shumpert were traded to Cleveland for nothing — a deliberate move to clear up cap space and guarantee more losing. The Knicks management depleted the team’s talent and have their sights set on potential No. 1 overall pick, Jahlil Okafor, in this year’s draft.

That said, it’s time to sit Melo after All-Star Weekend. Allow him to represent the Knicks organization as it hosts the All-Star game, as he’s their lone participant — then let him rest and get 100 percent healthy for next year. Once Melo is out, there will be no other reason not to play Early.

With the franchise looking to move forward in building a winning culture and restore the respect of the Knicks’ organization, it needs to play Early to have a fair body of work to decide if he’s worth having.

Early, a New York native, was selected 34th overall last year after a successful college career for the Shockers.

Last season, Early averaged 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in just under 28 minutes. Early’s ability to put the ball in the basket — especially from the perimeter — and his defensive prowess were pivotal for the success of the Shockers.

In college hoops, a 6-foot-8 wingspan is a rarity and often causes mismatches, especially when you’re able to drive and penetrate the defense and knock down outside shots, like Early did.

After the Knicks selected Early, many experts and analysts expected him to provide explosive offense off the bench. That nearly wasn’t the case as Early essentially started the season in warm-ups.

Early began to see regular minutes toward the middle of October, but his progress was impeded by a surprise knee surgery in mid-November.

Since then, Early has returned, and his production speaks for itself. Coming off the injury, Early is averaging 12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals per 36 minutes in his last six games. According to what Early told Marc Berman of the New York Post — he’s not even in shape yet.

“My body feels fine as far as moving,” Early told Berman. “I got to continue to get my conditioning up. I didn’t get a chance to practice or get any contact before I got thrown in there. So each game is conditioning, getting my wind back and getting a feel for the game.”

With the season nearing its halfway point, the Knicks are clearly looking to rebuild their roster at the end of the season. It’s time to rest Melo’s knees, put the ball in Early’s hands and find what they have.

Fourteen games aren’t enough.