DeAndre Jordan says he’s still friends with Chandler Parsons

DeAndre Jordan and Chandler Parsons will be teammates Wednesday.

It won’t be as awkward as you might imagine.

Parsons, the Dallas Mavericks forward who served as the lead recruiter in his team’s successful -- and then failed -- bid to land Jordan in free agency this summer, missed Team USA’s first practice of its mini-camp Tuesday at Nevada Las Vegas.

Parsons was excused because he is still recovering from a knee injury that forced him to miss all but one of the Mavericks’ playoff games last season.

But he’s expected to arrive Wednesday and at least be present at practice even if he doesn’t suit up.

Asked if he had spoken with Parsons before reporting to mini-camp, Jordan on Tuesday seemed mildly anxious.

“Is Chandler here?” Jordan asked, looking around the practice facility.

Jordan went on to say he had smoothed things over with Parsons, who had helped the Mavericks secure a commitment from Jordan last month before he reversed course and re-signed with the Clippers for four years and $87.6 million.

“We’re friends,” Jordan said. “We’re still friends. It’s cool.”

Parsons was unrestrained in his criticism of Jordan after the coveted center spurned the Mavericks and broke off communications with team owner Mark Cuban.

“He wasn’t ready to be a franchise player. He was scared,” Parsons said of Jordan at the time. “He was scared to take the next step in his career. There was no other reason other than that he was comfortable and he has friendships there.”