CHICAGO — Isiah Thomas believes any team that lands Kevin Durant one day may be sipping his champagne during a championship celebration.
On hand at the Chicago Hilton to promote a champagne partnership with the Players Association on Tuesday night before the Knicks got the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, the former Knicks president and coach said Durant is far and away the elite free agent this summer.
“To me, the best player in the game right now is Kevin Durant,’’ Thomas said after a ceremony with union director Michele Roberts. “Whatever team he joins, he can turn them around. Everyone else is a tier or two below him. I’m not sure they are franchise-changing players — if they don’t have a combination with [another star]. I will say this: Whoever teams up with Kevin Durant, they’re going to be good.’’
Thomas is friends with Knicks owner James Dolan, and though his contract ran out with the Garden this month as Liberty president, he’s still rooting for the Knicks.
“They have cap space and can pitch to free agents,’’ Thomas said before the lottery. “If they’re lucky enough it can become a great summer.’’
Thomas would not speculate on the Knicks’ chances for Durant, but said he believes Duke star Zion Williamson, the presumptive No. 1 pick of the Pelicans, has everything going for him.
“I’m a basketball junkie,’’ Thomas said. “It’s definitely sky’s the limit. His athleticism is eye-opening. Very few people come to our league with this type of athleticism. His marketability right now is off the charts. There’s only a few players I remember out of college instantaneously were very marketable not only at home but international appeal. It’s a marketing bonanza. If he continues to grow at mature he can be quite special.”
Thomas said he hopes his Cheurlin champagne will eventually be used in NBA locker-room celebrations.
“That’s the dream,’’ he said.