DeAndre Jordan’s expiring contract was attractive to the Knicks. But so were his experience and potential as a tutor for Mitchell Robinson, the raw rookie center with a similar skill-set.
“With the way Mitchell is coming along, the injection of a DeAndre Jordan — I mean it’s basically his big brother from a standpoint of how they play,” coach David Fizdale said of Jordan, who came over in the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster trade with the Mavericks on Thursday, along with Dennis Smith Jr., Wesley Matthews and a pair of future first-round picks.
The newcomers have yet to practice or play with the Knicks — the physicals from all the participants in the deal have yet to be completed — and may not be able to take the court Sunday when the Grizzles come to the Garden for a pre-Super Bowl matinee.