NBA

Knicks considering deal for Westchester’s Brand

This was something power forward Elton Brand used to talk about with his former coach at Peekskill High School: Finishing it all up at the Garden.

Brand, the 34-year-old Westchester County product, is a free agent, seeking one last contract before retirement. The Knicks, coincidently, have a dire need for another big man off the bench and are trying to snag him as their first free-agent acquisition this summer.

“If this happens, this would be amazing,’’ longtime Peekskill High coach Lou Panzanaro told The Post. “He always indicated he would love to finish his career in New York, his last contract, in the twilight of his career. You never know how things are going to go. His mother [Daisy] hoped the same thing. Early in his career, she didn’t want him here because of the distractions. Chicago and L.A. were fine.’’

Brand, the No. 1 overall pick by the Bulls in 1999, hasn’t been the same player since returning in 2007 from a major Achilles tendon rupture — the same injury Kobe Bryant is battling. Brand spent last season in Dallas, but didn’t put down roots. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is chasing free-agent center Andrew Bynum, so Brand could be on the backburner there.

The Knicks re-signed two of their three major free agents, J.R. Smith and Pablo Prigioni. Chris Copeland is off to the Pacers. With Andrea Bargnani aboard and Marcus Camby gone, the Knicks feel they need another banger inside and a backup for center Tyson Chandler. The Knicks also may not be able to re-sign power forward Kenyon Martin.

Panzanaro didn’t think Brand looked the same as he had before the injury in Dallas, where he averaged 7.2 points and 6.0 rebounds last season in 21.2 minutes per game.

“I’ve seen him getting away from what he does best,’’ Panzanaro said. “He’s physically aggressive from the low post. In Dallas, he was more on the high post, setting screens. He was not getting the ball too much.’’

The Knicks have scant money left for free agency — only $1.7 million on their mini mid-level exception. And they have all those veteran minimum deals of $1.4 million to fill out their roster. The Knicks have 10 players solidified for their training-camp roster and can add five more, and are trying to net a third point guard and a small forward.

“We’re just trying to get Elton a contract that is fair for his value in this marketplace,’’ said Brand’s agent, David Falk, who repped Patrick Ewing.

Sources said the Bulls and Cavaliers also inquired about Brand early in free agency.

“He’s still very effective in the low post,’’ Panzanaro said. “He can score down there. I don’t think they need him to be a jump-shooter. They need him to rebound.’’

That Brand can still do, even if he’s a little slower on the defensive end.

“There’s no question that Achilles injury really affected his career,” Panzanaro said. “He doesn’t have the vertical [leap] he once had. The leg is still smaller than the other one. It affected him, but he stays in such good shape and works so hard, he’s managed to overcome a lot of things that others might not have.’’

One NBA executive said Brand fits in well with the Knicks because Bargnani is such a different type of power forward.

“It’d be a credible signing,’’ the general manager said. “He’s capable of having a really good game every so often. He’s not much of a defender anymore, but he can be a good backup.’’

The Knicks have lost out on a lot of their targets, including small forward Francisco Garcia of The Bronx. He turned down the Knicks’ offer of the veteran minimum and re-signed with the Rockets.

Garcia’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, said the decision was based on playing with Dwight Howard, keeping his Bird rights intact — which has become important in the tighter new market — and Texas having no state income tax.

“The Knicks were one of the first to express interest and we were very appreciative,’’ Goodwin said.

Small forward Dahtnay Jones is still on the Knicks’ board, and they hope to sign a point guard for the minimum — with Sebastian Telfair, Will Bynum and Aaron Brookstargets.