Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson is close to hiring former Knicks point guard Darrell Walker as an assistant coach, according to two sources.
Walker played point guard for the Knicks for three seasons between 1983 and 1986 after being their first-round pick (12th) out of Arkansas and made the All-Rookie team. Woodson is also a former Knicks first-rounder.
Walker served as head coach of the Raptors, under Isiah Thomas, and of the Wizards. Walker has a 56-113 career coaching record. In two seasons under Thomas, Walker went 41-90 as Toronto’s second head coach. Walker was an interim Wizards coach in 2000 and went 15-23. Walker has been an assistant coach in New Orleans and his latest job was with the Pistons.
The Knicks also have interviewed Jim Todd, a former Hawks assistant under Woodson, according to a source. The two hires would be evidence owner James Dolan has not given up on making a big playoff run.
When D’Antoni stepped down as head coach, his brother, Dan D’Antoni, and Phil Weber went with him. At yesterday’s practice, the Knicks had two holdover assistants, Kenny Atkinson, Jeremy Lin’s guru, and Herb Williams.
➤ Potential Knicks candidate Nate McMillan was fired yesterday as Blazers coach after Portland got destroyed at the Garden. Dolan knows him from a prior coaching search six years ago conducted by Thomas.
Magic assistant Patrick Ewing should get an interview, too. Ewing was miffed when he didn’t get an interview four years ago.
The Post first reported last May Phil Jackson would consider coming out of retirement for the Knicks job. Ten months later, an internet report stated yesterday he would be “fascinated’’ in the position.
➤ Amar’e Stoudemire was surprised Indiana’s Danny Granger tweeted the Pacers have “two winnable games’’ ahead, referring to the home-and-home with the Knicks tonight and tomorrow. “He just got to be careful what he asks for,’’ Stoudemire said. “I don’t know if he’s in a position to speak too boldly right now. We got something to say about that (tonight).’’
➤ Woodson said he got congratulatory phone calls from former Knicks coaches Larry Brown and Thomas. Woodson was on Brown’s championship squad in Detroit and was an Indiana teammate of Thomas.