NBA

WALSH COMING TO KNICKS

By MARC BERMAN

Though contract negotiations are far from over, a source who spoke to Donnie Walsh today told The Post the Pacers CEO is indeed New York-bound after the season and that will assuredly spell the end of Isiah Thomas’ reign of error.

“He’s coming,” the source said.

Thomas cancelled practice this morning, not wanting to face questions about his imminent demise. It is believed he has been kept in the loop in recent days and knows his fate. Sports Illustrated reported Mark Warkentien, the Nuggets GM, could become Walsh’s right-hand man in New York. Warkentien drafted Zach Randolph in Portland and used to be close to the troubled power forward.

ESPNews reported Monday night that Walsh has agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal, but Pacers spokesman David Benner, after speaking with Walsh, denied it.

“Nothing’s been agreed upon,” Benner told The Post. “He won’t comment until he knows his future.”

One of Walsh’s hangups in coming to New York was leaving behind his family, which will not move to New York. The Knicks declined comment, and it’s unclear if the franchise will formally announce his hiring, or Thomas’ firing, before the season ends, April 16, coincidentally in Indiana.

Walsh planned to announce he was leaving the Pacers after the season until reports emerged last weekend that he was staying in Indiana and he wanted to end the confusion.

Rick Carlisle and Mark Jackson could emerge as Knicks coaching candidates.

marc.berman@nypost.com