PHOENIX — Knicks center Lou Amundson heard Phil Jackson’s remark the other day at UCLA — that he wants to bring back some guys on this roster not under contract.
In his younger days, Amundson, 32, who has fit in well as a starting defensive center after being obtained from Cleveland in January’s firesale, would have taken it as a good sign.
Those native days are long behind. Amundson, his hipster ponytail flopping at each venue, has played for 12 NBA teams since 2006, including two in preseason. He estimates he has shared a locker room with close to 200 NBA teammates, having signed 16 different NBA contracts.
Jackson’s remark rolled off Amundson’s back.
“I’ve been around this league long enough to know you can’t look ahead even a month,’’ said Amundson, who lives in a rented apartment in White Plains. “You try to make a good impression but there are no promises. There’s no loyalty in this league.’’
He doesn’t say it with bitterness — just fact. The epiphany occurred after playing two solid seasons off the bench in Phoenix, appearing in 76 and 79 games. He will take the court here Sunday night — part of this reunion West Coast tour — as his favorite stop along the long, winding road.
Amundson also has played for Golden State, which the Knicks faced Saturday night, Utah, where they stopped on Tuesday, and was raised in the Denver area, where the five-game western trip started.
But it is the Valley of the Sun in which Amundson thought he had a future, and he said he believed his run would have been longer had former Suns general manager Steve Kerr not bolted for broadcasting in the summer of 2010.
“I got regular consistent rotation minutes,’’ Amundson said of his Suns stint, not unlike his surprisingly productive stay in New York. “I think any player in this league, the kind of most important thing is get minutes to have that confidence. That’s so important. That was my longest stop. I think fans really appreciated me what I brought to the game. I gave 100 percent effort the way I always do. I thought it was a place to hang on a few years.
“You never know — Steve Kerr was the general manager who brought me in,’’ Amundson added. “That summer they go into free agency, they didn’t have a GM other than their owner Robert Sarver.’’
In his list of favorites, Phoenix rates sky high — his favorite city to live. Coach Alvin Gentry he lists as his favorite coach — in a tie with Derek Fisher, whom he played with one season in Utah. He lists the eccentric Amar’e Stoudemire as his favorite teammate, sharing the locker room in New York and Phoenix.
“He would always invite teammates out to whatever events he was part of,’’ Amundson said. “He makes me laugh. I think he’s one of the funniest guys I’ve been around.’’
Amundson bought a place in Phoenix, and never will make that same mistake.
“It was fairly surprising,’’ Amundson said. “I felt I made big impact on the team. That’s the first place I felt really good. You can’t count the chickens and you got to hang on for the ride.’’
Though he liked Gentry’s “laid-back approach and style,’’ Amundson said Fisher gets the high grades because of how much he admires him. Not only were they Utah teammates, but Amundson was active in the Player’s Association when Fisher was president.
“He was such a cerebral player, always admired him as a person, well-spoken very admirable and a winner,” Amundson said. “And I’m not saying that because I’m playing for him now.’’
Across his journey, Amundson often has been a team’s union player rep.
“I think for someone who has knowledge and who has experience with so many organizations, it’s important they hear my voice, from a journeyman player like myself,’’ Amundson said.
Amundson’s rookie season would be the harbinger of his wild career. He was undrafted out UNLV, cut by Sacramento in preseason, played in the D-League for the Colorado franchise, then hooked up on various 10-day contracts with Utah and Philadelphia.
“I really got the full gamut with those two teams for coaches,” Amundson said. “In Utah, [Jerry] Sloan was pretty remarkable, so focused and intense. I remember [former NBA player] John Amaechi had just announced he was gay and Sloan addressed the team — a real long speech about the topic. Then I get to Philly and Mo Cheeks is totally different, the polar opposite. Just so laid-back.’’
Amundson has had a few unenjoyable stints. His time in New Orleans, Minnesota and Chicago rate low as he rides down on his memory lane.
“Minnesota was pretty bad tough year,’’ Amundson said of the 2012-13 season. “A lot of injuries and never felt part of the family. And it was just so cold, man. It was tough. The weather is a big draw. It has an impact on your psyche.
“New Orleans, they were still in process of finding an identity,’’ Amundson added. “I think the people there are not crazy about basketball as New York.’’
Much like LeBron James, Amundson has the Garden as his favorite arena.
“New York is one of a kind,’’ Amundson said. “It was my favorite arena before I was a Knick. Pretty amazing energy, serious basketball fans, knowledgeable. The energy is real cool.’’
Signing with Cleveland before training camp turned into a mistake. He thought they needed a high-energy rebounder off the bench, but he was barely used. He can’t recall a single conversation with James.
“But he’s the leader, no doubt,’’ Amundson said. “Just practicing with him, what stood out most is how he sees the game and knows where every one should be. He’s the king.’’
When Amundson was dealt from Cleveland in January in the three-team trade, the Knicks initial impression was to waive him and not re-sign him. But his grit is something Fisher really wanted, and Amundson has added that quality to the club.
The indignities still come. At Staples Center on Thursday, the Lakers P.A. announcer belted out the starting lineup and introduced him as “Jason Smith.’’ Amundson just chuckled.
“A team is always going to want a guy like that because of how hard he plays,” one NBA scout said.
He makes up for his lack of offensive skill by his high motor.
“I’m proud that I work hard and show the right qualities that teams want,’’ Amundson said.
As for next season, Amundson prefers not to make it 13 teams. He said he has enjoyed the Knicks despite the losing and want to squeeze more Zen knowledge out of Jackson, who has implemented “mindfulness training.’’
“I would like to talk to him more about that, get more info,’’ Amundson said. “I’m very much into that.’’
His family is trying to get the English major to write a hipster book to counter Jackson’s “11 Rings,” with the title “12 Different Places.”