NBA

Grizzlies’ Gay sees future with Knicks

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former UConn star and free-agent-to-be Rudy Gay can see himself playing the Garden next season. The Knicks can, too, if things break a certain way this summer.

“It’s the most famous arena in the world,” Gay said yesterday before scoring 20 points in the Grizzlies’ 119-112 victory over the Knicks at FedEx Forum. “It’s great to play there. Every time I play there, I get chills. To play in that arena would be nice, but FedEx Forum has been home to me.”

If LeBron James is Plan A, Joe Johnson is Plan B, Gay is Plan C-plus.

According to a source, the Knicks, who fell to 22-43 last night, have solid interest in Gay, but consider him a second-tier free agent. But if they can land Johnson and Gay and still keep David Lee, it’s not a bad July.

Gay’s alma mater has fallen on hard times, but his NBA career is thriving. The 6-foot-8 silky-smooth small forward is averaging 20 points and 5.9 rebounds.

Gay seems lukewarm to the idea of spending the rest of his career in the league’s smallest market, Memphis, which has a rich history in blues, barbecue and civil rights — but not NBA basketball.

And Memphis owner Michael Heisley made an ominous comment this week that he can’t pay Gay if the fans don’t start filling the building. The Grizzlies were ranked second-to-last in attendance at 13,000 per game despite a 34-31 record. Last night drew a paltry l2,236 with scores of empty seats in the lower and upper bowl.

Gay becomes a restricted free agent in July, and the Knicks and Nets will be two of his options.

“I wouldn’t mind staying here, if I feel they were going to make a commitment to me,” Gay said. “It’s a business. I’m only the one here from my first year so I know the business more than anyone on this team. It really doesn’t matter which way it goes.”

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for wanting to remain in the arena off Beale Street. The Grizzlies control his fate. They can match any offer because he is a restricted free agent.

Ex-Knick Zach Randolph, who would like to sign a contract extension to stay in Memphis, gave a warning to Grizzlies brass that he could be stolen by the Knicks.

“If you want to win, you got to take care of your best players,” Randolph said. “If we don’t take care of Rudy, somebody will be quick to offer him a big number.”

Knicks president Donnie Walsh has a juggling act with room to sign two maximum-contract free agents, with Lee still in the mix. The Knicks will explore the bigger fish in James, Joe Johnson, Dwayne Wade, paired with either Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire.

But if two maxes aren’t worked out, Gay comes into play. The concern is extending Gay an offer sheet would tie the Knicks hands for as long as a week.

When asked about Heisley’s attendance remark, Gay said, “It’s obvious. What can I say? [Better attendance] needs to happen. I think in the future this team can help with that.”

In Memphis, Gay missed out being an All-Star reserve and he’s missed out on endorsements outside Tennessee.

“It’s a small market and we’re not on TV a lot,” Gay said. “It is kind of tough to get your name mentioned. But with the way we’re winning and playing people are going to want to watch.”

Maybe next season in New York.

marc.berman@nypost.com