LAS VEGAS — Defensive demon DeAndre Jordan, the Knicks’ top free-agent target at center, admitted Phil Jackson’s squad crept back into the race after their early July meeting in Los Angeles.

Sources told The Post the Knicks were barely considered by the Clippers’ 6-foot-11 active shot-blocker until the meeting. The Knicks put off signing consolation prize Robin Lopez until Jordan made his decision, though he later waffled on joining the Mavericks and returned to the Clippers.

The Knicks finished with the bronze medal in the Jordan Sweepstakes. At least they beat out the Lakers.

“I had a great meeting and great presentation,’’ Jordan said after Tuesday’s US Olympic Team mini-camp. “Phil Jackson speaks for himself. Fish [Derek Fisher] did a great job. The whole team had a plan with the organization, a plan for me that was cool. I just decided to stay with the Clippers, but it was great.

“The Knicks were definitely a team I was considering.’’

Jordan reportedly was looking for more of a role in the offense than he’s had with the Clippers despite his putrid foul-shooting. Jackson had a plan for that.

“Phil was great on how they’d fit in me in the [triangle] system offensively, defensively, how I’d fit in the organization, so they really had a plan for me,’’ Jordan said. “That was really good.”

In Jackson’s “Phil Files’’ online series authored by Charley Rosen, the Zen Master has made many references to Jordan being his top free-agent choice along with Marc Gasol, who never met with outside suitors before re-signing with the Grizzlies.

“That’s definitely very humbling and cool,’’ Jordan said.

Carmelo Anthony, also at the Team USA mini-camp among 34 candidates for the Olympic squad, acknowledged Jordan being a top priority and speaking to him.

“We didn’t get DeAndre Jordan, LaMarcus [Aldridge], [Greg] Monroe, but Lopez is a great addition,’’ Anthony said.

Jordan again defended backing out of his verbal agreement with the Mavericks to stay with the Clippers.

“I made a decision I felt was a better one,’’ Jordan said.