Elton Brand interested in joining Knicks if he plays in 2015-16

The NBA is strange.

With his Atlanta Hawks still in the playoffs, 36-year-old Elton Brand, who no longer has the utility to warrant playing time in an opening-round series, finds himself being asked about his potential suitors as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Brand nearly retired this past summer before ultimately signing a one-year, $2-million deal with the Hawks, and it seemed a safe bet his 16th season would be his last. 

He appeared in 36 games this season, averaging 2.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 13.5 minutes. In other words, whatever value he has appears to be as a veteran leader on the bench, not necessarily as an impact player on the court.

But Brand is considering playing again next season, and if he does, he's hoping for New York Knicks president Phil Jackson to give him a call, as Jackson did last summer. 

"I got to make a decision if I’m going to play and come back," Brand said. "(The Knicks) are definitely on the radar for sure. Yeah, I’m thinking about it. Moving on to something else, but I still also love to play and still feel good. I’m going to look at both options."

The Knicks are set to have plenty of roster turnover, and Jackson and head coach Derek Fisher may appreciate having a defensive-minded veteran at the end of the bench to help change the culture within the organization.

Brand has appeared in 1,041 games in his career, averaging 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 blocks for five teams.