Add another 7-footer to the team.
The Post has learned 7-foot center Jerome Jordan, a 2010 second-round draft pick, will be the next addition to the Knicks’ roster as he was involved in heavy contract negotiations late last night to bring him to New York, according to his agent Todd Ramasar.
Jordan spent the lockout playing in Slovenia but signed an opt-out clause for when the lockout ended. There was also a small buyout in the Slovenia deal. The Knicks were waiting on inviting Jordan to see if they had the room, pending which free agents they pursued. Jordan’s agent had told the Post last week if Jordan was not invited to camp, he would demand a trade for his client.
Last season, Jordan played in the Serbian League for Hemofarm. The Knicks originally paid Milwaukee $1 million for his draft rights. After the Carmelo Anthony trade in February got rid of many of the team’s taller players, Mike D’Antoni said he hoped Jordan would play for the Knicks next season.
Known as a good low-post scorer and potential shotblocker, the Knicks felt it was time to start grooming him and adding even more size to a roster that finished last season as among the smallest teams in the league.
Now the Knicks have no shortage of centers on their roster. They are about to add 7-1 Tyson Chandler from Dallas. Jared Jeffries was re-signed and they also have Josh Harrellson, their 2011 second-rounder from Kentucky, who probably is too raw to see action this season. Ronny Turiaf, who is only 6-8 but was their starting center last season, is being shipped to Washington for cap space as part of the events leading to Chandler’s acquisition.