The New York Knicks are one of the most hard-capped teams in the NBA and tried to inquire about Panathinaikos superstar Mathias Lessort’s availability. According to Knicks’ insider Ian Begley, the team showed interest in the French international for additional front-line depth, but the two sides were unable to find common ground.
Lessort, who has been impressive during France’s knockout play in the Olympic Tournament, is on a great run with Panathinaikos after winning last season’s EuroLeague title in his first year in Athens. Lessort—a 2nd round selection by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2017—is constantly improving.
He logged 13.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game over 41 appearances during the 2023–24 EuroLeague season. His NBA rights were moved through three teams so far after Philadelphia traded him to the Clippers, and then he was moved to Minnesota.
The Knicks became the third team to acquire Lessort’s rights in 2020, but he will need to be promised more minutes if he is to move from the EuroLeague champions, Panathinaikos.
Lessort also played for Crvena Zvezda, Unicaja Malaga, FC Bayern Munich, AS Monaco, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Partizan before joining Panathinaikos last summer.
Is Mathias Lessort capable of adapting to a role within the NBA?
Every time a EuroLeague star is rumored to be close to making the jump to the NBA, there is always a question about his ability to play a different role in the United States. Lessort is definitely undersized for NBA standards, but he’s strong and cannot be moved easily inside the paint.
He was excellent against Canada’s NBA talent, and his physicality helped France down Germany in the crucial semi-final. Lessort has all the tools to play a role in the NBA, but he will not be a superstar player in the States.
EuroLeague is matching his playing style and physicality, and there must be a more active offer and role for him to be moved from Panathinaikos.
