NBA

Knicks seeking veteran center

The agent for rookie center Jerome Jordan said he would request a trade if the Knicks decide not to sign him or bring him to training camp, which begins Dec. 9.

With the lockout soon to be officially over, perhaps in a week, Knicks brass will game plan today regarding training-camp invitees and free agency, and one issue that will arise is what to do with the 7-footer who’s playing in Slovenia and has an opt-out clause in his contract there.

Former Knicks president Donnie Walsh paid the Bucks $1 million for the rights to Jordan, who was taken in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft. But Walsh is no longer empowered, with the trio of interim general manager Glen Grunwald, Mark Warkentien and John Gabriel making decisions for the Knicks.

“Anything is possible,’’ Jordan’s agent, Todd Ramasar, told The Post. “Our expectation is he will be on the Knicks roster or any NBA roster.’’

Asked if he’d request a trade if the Knicks don’t invite Jordan, Ramasar said, “Absolutely. He is ready. It’s been two seasons since his draft. There’s definitely a need for 7-footers. We’re hoping it’s the Knicks’ roster.’’

Come Dec. 9, the Knicks will be after a veteran free-agent defensive center to slot alongside Amar’e Stoudemire — the major addition they will make to this season’s roster as they hold 2012 cap space for the starry free-agent class of Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard.

The Knicks have a modest center wish list — considering they only want to offer one-year deals — with Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Tony Battie, Theo Ratliff and Aaron Gray. Samuel Dalembert had been their priority, but they likely can’t afford him.

The Knicks may be hard-pressed to pry Thomas from Chicago, whose coach, Tom Thibodeau, wants him back. Thomas is the league’s oldest player at 39 and is just looking for a championship now, with the Bulls appearing closer than the Knicks.

The Knicks believe Stoudemire wore down last season because he didn’t have a legitimate big man alongside him and often played the pivot. Upgrading their size at center is by far the Knicks’ most pressing concern, and since last February’s Carmelo Anthony trade, coach Mike D’Antoni has talked about having their 2009 second-round pick, Jordan, as a key addition this season.

But now there’s debate within the organization on Jordan, who had a slow start in Slovenia before averaging a double-double in his last five games. The Knicks are afraid signing him could put them over the newly severe luxury tax.

Jordan was a no-brainer until the club drafted Kentucky center Josh Harrellson in the second round last spring, but without a summer league and being able to work with the coaching staff this summer, rookies, and especially projects, may be in store for tough times.

Currently, the Knicks starting center would be 6-8 Ronny Turiaf, but he was injury-prone and doesn’t have the length they need inside. Turiaf, who signed a lockout contract earlier this month in France, will return to the Knicks this week.