NBA

Knicks name Grunwald permanent GM; coach’s return more likely

Glen Grunwald’s promotion by the Knicks to permanent executive VP/general manager has made Mike Woodson a heavy favorite to return as head coach next season, barring a major collapse in the playoffs.

Tuesday, Knicks owner James Dolan removed the interim tag from Grunwald’s title days before the playoffs and just hours after Carmelo Anthony gave his biggest endorsement yet to Woodson. Anthony emphatically stated he wanted Woodson back next season.

Grunwald and Woodson played three seasons together at Indiana and have gotten along terrifically, especially since Woodson’s promotion from defensive assistant after the resignation of Mike D’Antoni on March 14.

A move on Woodson is not expected until the Knicks’ playoff run is over, but Grunwald was expected to address Woodson’s status at a rare press availability for him Wednesday night before the Knicks play host to the Clippers.

Grunwald, who took over for president Donnie Walsh on an interim basis last July, was not given a presidency title, but no other hire above Grunwald will be made. That includes Grunwald’s former Knicks and Raptors boss Isiah Thomas, who is seeking employment.

In a statement, Dolan said he expects Grunwald around “for many years to come.’’

“Glen has done a terrific job this season,” Dolan said. “He is an intelligent, seasoned executive and we look forward to him continuing in the role of general manager for many years to come.”

If Grunwald recommends to Dolan to bring back Woodson, the Knicks owner never would have worry about a GM-coach feud. Grunwald — the man behind the Tyson Chandler, Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak additions — signed a multi-year deal and dispelled the notion Dolan wanted a bigger name to run the franchise.

The vibe out of the Garden and practice facility was Woodson is in a good place after leading the Knicks to a 16-6 record since taking over for D’Antoni.

The prospect of Phil Jackson or John Calipari working under Grunwald does not wash. Both marquee coaches figure to want major control.

Tuesday, Anthony gave a stronger Woodson endorsement than the one he issued in Chicago on April 10.

“Would I love to see him around here past this year? Of course,’’ Anthony said. “Just to see what he’s brought to our team — the confidence that he’s instilled into everybody, the belief that he has in everybody, just his coaching style and the way he coached, kind of a hard-nosed coach, holds everybody accountable. I’ve been saying that. Everybody is responsible for their own actions. I would love to see him around here.”

Asked if he has expressed that to Grunwald, Anthony said, “I’m pretty sure they’re hearing it right now. Like I said, I would love to see him around here. That’s all I can say.”

The Woodson-Grunwald bond is genuine. In an interview with The Post about Grunwald in February, Woodson, then a defensive assistant, said, “He’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here. You want to work with people you know.’’

The Grunwald announcement was made early last night, well after Woodson’s post-practice media conference. But Woodson enjoyed hearing Anthony’s plug.

“I would love to come back,’’ Woodson said. “I think when you’ve been given an opportunity to start something, then you’d love to finish it. But again, that’s not my call. I think when the time comes, I’ll probably have an opportunity to sit down and talk to Mr. Dolan and management about it. Hopefully it’ll work in my favor. But right now that’s not my concern.”

Friday in Cleveland, Woodson made his first specific reference about planning next season when he said of Bill Walker’s release: “He’ll be a free agent this summer. Maybe we might revisit it and get him back in a Knick uniform.’’

Grunwald, the former Raptors president, is a good fit for Dolan because he does not embrace the media spotlight. In fact, Grunwald has met with the media just three times since preseason. Walsh spoke almost daily, and that bothered Dolan, according to sources.

“Some general managers like to be seen and heard,’’ Woodson told The Post recently. “Then there are some GMs who like to stay in the background and make sure things get done the right way.’’

Friends say Dolan always has been loyal in rewarding a good job done and that’s why, barring a fold, a Grunwald-Woodson ticket is a good bet for the future.

“It has been a great honor to be a part of this storied franchise for the past six seasons,” Grunwald said in a statement. “I would like to thank Mr. Dolan for this opportunity and look forward to building on our commitment to give our fans a team that they can be proud of today, and in the future.’’

Grunwald’s innovative acquisition of Chandler — getting below the salary cap by using the new amnesty clause on Chauncey Billups — worked like magic. Chandler is a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.

But Grunwald still must be creative this offseason and find a way to re-sign Jeremy Lin, Steve Novak and J.R. Smith, who plans to opt out. If Lin gets their $5M mid-level exception, Novak and Smith likely will be gone, as they should get more than the $2M biannual exception Grunwald has left. Plus Grunwald has no first-round pick this June.

marc.berman@nypost.com