Marc Cornstein, the New York-based agent for Greek small forward Kostas Papanikolaou, said he expects his client will play for the Knicks in 2013-14, despite a two-year contract with Olympiacos.

“He definitely wants to play in the NBA, it’s a lifelong dream of his,’’ Cornstein told The Post. “He’s playing at the highest level in the Greek League and it’s the next step. He’s anxious to play sooner than later. He wanted the right fit with the right team and the Knicks we would’ve handpicked.’’

The 6-foot-8 Papanikolaou was selected 48th Thursday, his selection roundly booed at Prudential Center. Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald said the 21-year-old would play this season in Greece with joining the Knicks in 2013-14 a possibility.

Papanikolaou has a $1 million buyout in his Greek League contract for that season. The Knicks could pay about $650,000 of the buyout and he would have to foot the rest. Because the NBA minimum is $500,000, it might not be worthwhile financially for Papanikolaou to come over unless the Knicks offered one of their exceptions. It could get complicated.

“It’s a manageable buyout,’’ Cornstein countered.

Nevertheless, Athens journalist Nikos Papaioannou of Sport 24 said it’s not always about money.

“Greek players are always hesitant,’’ he said. “He’d need a guarantee he’ll have a chance to play and be a vital part of the team. If has a one-year deal, he’ll have a greater chance for more money after that. He’s a hard-working kid but more of a streaky shooter. He’s not a good shooter from 3, but this year was his coming-out party.’’

Papanikolaou is with the Greek National Team, which is attempting to qualify for the London Games starting Tuesday in the qualifier in Venezuela. He was a key cog on Olympiacos’ Euroleague championship team, guarding Andrei Kirilenko in the finals and scoring a career-high 18 points.

The Knicks have no plans to make him available to the press because he will not play summer league. But the Greek Basketball Federation released a statement from him in Greek.

Translated, it read: “I watched the whole procedure through the Internet. My situation being picked in the draft opens up a new window of opportunity for my career if I decide to chase it and go after the opportunity. The New York Knicks are a team I like, but for the time being I am under contract with Olympiacos and am totally focused on the games I have in front of me with the national team and our effort to qualify for the Olympic Games in London.’’

Papanikolaou is Olympiacos teammates with another player who is Knicks property, veteran power forward Georgios Prientesis, who is seeking a three-year, 3 million Euros deal which is out of Grunwald’s price range.

Cornstein said his client, however, will fit right in.

“As a native New Yorker, I know the fans base will like his lunch-pail mentality. He’s such an intense competitor,’’ Cornstein said. “The style he plays, they will love.’’

The Knicks will bring in undrafted Chris Smith, brother of J.R. Smith, to their Las Vegas summer-league team. Smith, 24, played at Louisville. Toney Douglas also may play in Vegas in an effort to get playing time after he was mostly benched starting in February.