The Knicks are expected to be in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes

HOUSTON – The Knicks can always expect to be part of a major trade rumor.

While the basketball world expects Giannis Antetokounmpo to be unhappy with the disaster in Milwaukee, insider Marc Stein reported Sunday that the Knicks are among the four teams most likely to make a credible push for the Greek Freak, making them three join other well-known competitors – the Nets, Heat and Krieger.

Of course, the Knicks just invested the majority of their assets into acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, making it difficult to match the Bucks' offers.

A source therefore believes it is “very unlikely” that the Knicks will find a way to sign Antetokounmpo.

Stein reported that several rival teams suspected an ulterior motive for New York's acquisition of Towns because “having a player of Towns' caliber on the roster for a possible future Antetokounmpo bid was part of the Knicks' motivation, their longstanding reluctance.” “Include Donte DiVincenzo in trade talks.”

The Bucks are 1-5 after consecutive first-round playoff flameouts, and trading for Damian Lillard was a major downer.

Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Cavs because of a right adductor muscle strain.

Precious Achiuwa will miss his sixth straight game to start the season after he was not cleared to train on Sunday due to his hamstring strain.

When Achiuwa was diagnosed with the injury on Oct. 20, the Knicks announced he would be reevaluated in two to four weeks.

It was two weeks ago on Sunday.

“He does a little more every day, but is not yet cleared for regular training. But he's doing better,” Tom Thibodeau said, essentially repeating what he said after Friday's win over the Pistons.

Without Achiuwa, Jericho Sims was the only regular substitute in the frontcourt and struggled before his strong performance in Detroit.

Sims, a rebounder and defender, went scoreless in 16 minutes, but it was still his best game of the season.

“Every player has certain strengths. Whatever that is, understand what it is and bring that to the team,” Thibodeau said.

Cam Payne, another reserve, was a limited participant in practice due to an injury he suffered late against the Pistons.

He was listed as doubtful for Monday in Houston. If Payne is unable to play, it will be interesting to see if rookie Tyler Kolek gets his first extended minutes.

“(Paynes) is just a little banged up,” Thibodeau said. “We’ll see where he is (Monday).