New York Knicks

Thanasis Antetokounmpo in Knicks limbo until draft

Published Jun. 17, 2015 3:49 p.m. ET

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The Knicks traded for the right to draft Thanasis Antetokounmpo before last year's draft, but the would-be rookie didn't end up playing at the NBA level during his first season as a pro. Instead, the brother of Giannis stayed in the D-League, competing against lesser players most of the year.

Now, as is true for many second-round picks who didn't get a lick of NBA playing time this past season, his future is in question.

From Marc Berman of the New York Post:

(H/t to Marc Berman of the New York Post.)

Photo Credit: Brian Babineau /NBAE via Getty Images

Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the Knicks’ unsigned 2014 second-round pick from Greece, could have a major decision to make if the club doesn’t agree to sign him after the June 25 NBA Draft.

When the Knicks balked at inking him after last year’s draft, Antetokounmpo turned down two offers from Europe, took a major pay cut and agreed to play for the D-League maximum of $25,000. The 6-foot-6 defensive swingman had hoped he would be signed to an NBA contract late in the season, but the Knicks, despite several openings on their roster, let the 22-year-old stay with the Westchester Knicks, feeling he wasn’t ready.

Now the Knicks are weighing their options, depending upon how the draft unfolds. A source told The Post recently they would love to gain an extra pick — in either round — beyond their fourth-overall selection. Antetokounmpo’s Greece-based agent, Nick Lotsos, said the Knicks aren’t ready to enter negotiations yet.

“They’ve said right after the draft they’ll be ready to talk. They’re very busy now,’’ Lotsos told The Post. “So we’ll have a better feeling after that. But now I don’t have an answer for you.’’