The Knicks’ priority entering free agency was to add size. Phil Jackson, the team president, needed post players, noting that the team did not have a center on the roster.
So Jackson went out and targeted upper-tier players like Greg Monroe, DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge. Monroe opted to join the Milwaukee Bucks. DeAndre Jordan was believed to be deciding between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks. And Aldridge, courted by several ready-made contenders, turned down a meeting with the Knicks.
The team’s fallback plan materialized in the wake of those misses, as the Knicks hashed out a deal with Robin Lopez, a 7-foot center who agreed to sign with the Knicks, according to a person briefed on the negotiations.