Despite being Phil Jackson’s second-round pick, Thanasis Antetokounmpo never got a chance at Knicks training camp last fall. Jackson decided against signing him, but convinced the Greek forward to bypass a lucrative deal in Europe to play for $25,000 in the D-League with Westchester.

Now, even though he has signed to a partially guaranteed deal, Antetokounmpo still has not gotten a chance to show the havoc he can create on defense through the first three preseason games. The 6-foot-7 defensive specialist and brother of the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has not played in two of the games and played the final two minutes of another.

Though he is a slight favorite to land on the roster as 15th man, it’s no given. The Post has learned Antetokounmpo settled for the same $75,000 guarantee as undrafted rookie free agents Darion Atkins, Wesley Saunders and point guard Travis Trice. Antetokounmpo has a non-guaranteed second year attached to the pact.

His agents already have said he will not play in the D-League again if not part of the Knicks’ roster. Antetokounmpo said he hopes, if cut, another NBA team will show interest, and Milwaukee comes to mind. Giannis, a budding All-Star, plays for the Bucks, and their parents moved from Greece to Milwaukee. His agents have also spoken to European clubs.

“First off, hopefully things works out here,’’ Thanasis told The Post. “If they don’t, hopefully another NBA team. That’s the first goal. And after that, we’ll see. Hopefully everything goes well. I don’t want to think about it now. I can control what I can control — being positive and optimistic.’’

Coach Derek Fisher said with the Knicks playing a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday against Boston and Charlotte, Antetokounmpo, who has a raw offensive game, could see time.

“He’s shown what we’ve always seen from him — a lot of energy, intensity,’’ Fisher said. “He’s improved as a basketball player. Our roster is constructed in a way it’s tough to break through. Cleanthony Early has gotten better. It makes it rough to find minutes at the forward position.’’

Early, Jackson’s first-ever draft pick as 34th selection in 2014, has come back in better shape, looks quicker and less tentative as he tries to erase a dreadful, injury-plagued rookie year.

“I thought I knew more than I did,’’ Early said at training camp at West Point. “But time definitely gave me a little more wisdom and knowledge.’’

In what seemed like a poke at the prior coaching staffs, including Mike Woodson’s, Carmelo Anthony said he encouraged Fisher and his assistants to get on him about defensive lapses in front of the team. The implication is past coaches were too timid.

Anthony has looked swift at closing out on 3-point shooters in preseason. Last season, perhaps because of knee pain, Anthony was lethargic on defense before shutting it down.

“I challenged the staff to push me and stay on me when I’m not doing something, calling me out in film sessions so everybody can see and hear that,” Anthony said. “By them doing that, when that times comes, it forces me to be at the top level of my game. I want them to do that. It brings the best out of me. If it brings that out of me, it brings the best out of everybody.’’

Anthony said Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim and former Nuggets coach George Karl got on him “in their own way.”