NBA

Kerr’s college coach Lute Olson expects him to coach Knicks

Saying Phil Jackson is the “trump card,’’ legendary former Arizona coach Lute Olson said he believes Steve Kerr will “more than likely’’ accept the Knicks’ head coaching job.

Olson, who coached Kerr at Arizona in the 1980s and speaks to him regularly, said Kerr’s family situation is now conducive for him to break into the head-coaching field, even on the East Coast. Kerr’s family lives in Del Mar, Calif., near San Diego.

Kerr has been given indications he has the job if he wants it, but no concrete financial offer is on the table yet. Olson said he chatted with Kerr Tuesday and speaks to him every week.

“I have talked to and I got the feeling from Steve if it’s offered, he’d more than likely accept,’’ Olson told The Post. “If he’s going to do it, this is the right time to do it. And I think people in New York would really enjoy having him as coach of the Knicks.’’

Some NBA sources believe Kerr would prefer a West Coast job opened, such as with the Warriors or Lakers — Mike D’Antoni resigned as L.A.’s coach Wednesday night. Not true, Olson said.

“I think Phil being here is a huge thing,’’ Olson said. “That’s really important to [Kerr], having a general manager who’s is going to be in your corner.”

Kerr won three titles with Jackson in Chicago.

“As far as [Kerr] is concerned, if something opened on the West Coast, it’s easier for him to see his family regularly. I think the trump card is Phil. He feels Phil can be very beneficial to him in terms of things he needs to learn about coaching.’’

Olson admitted when Kerr was Suns general manager, he struggled with the job because he missed his family in San Diego. But that was nearly four years ago.

“I told him he’s going to get a lot of advice, but Steve is an extremely bright young man,’’ Olson said. “He’s not someone who’s going jump into something without considering everything. The thing with the Knicks job now is his family is mostly grown.’’

Olson said Kerr’s oldest son is heading into his senior year at UC-San Diego, his daughter is at Cal-Berkeley playing volleyball and his youngest son will be a high school senior.

“TNT gave him the opportunity to be there when his kids were younger,’’ Olson said. “He’s more free right now to make decision like that with the Knicks.’’

According to Olson, Kerr’s wife, Margot, would stay in California the first year.

“He would be in New York by himself if he took the job,’’ Olson said. “It wouldn’t be easy. I told him Margot would find opportunities to come to Manhattan and maybe do some shopping. She’s a renowned shopper. At this point, he’s very open to that possibility.’’

Olson also said he thinks Kerr, whom he calls a “favorite son’’ in Tucson, would become a favorite in New York too.

“He’s the best analyst I’d seen because he projects things before they happen rather than react to what happens,’’ Olson said. “It shows he understands the game and people. No question he’d hire assistants with great character.’’