Knicks coaching candidate Mark Jackson is going back to TV. At least for now.
The Brooklyn-born Jackson has reached a multi-year agreement with ESPN to return as an NBA game analyst, the network announced. Jackson, fired last week by the Warriors, will re-join his former boothmates — play-by-play man Mike Breen and analyst Jeff Van Gundy —during the Eastern Conference finals, starting with Game 1’s Heat-Pacers battle Sunday in Indiana.
Nevertheless, according to a source, there’s an out in Jackson’s contract that allows him to return to coaching at any time and allow him to talk to teams. The source said Jackson feels he has a shot at the Knicks job but is also “very interested’’ in returning to ESPN next season.
Phil Jackson, in the wake of the Steve Kerr snub, would consider Mark Jackson because he’s no longer stuck on hiring someone with triangle experience.
Jackson also feels he has the “credibility’’ to mold even a veteran coach.
Phil Jackson met for two hours at the Chicago draft combine with veteran Mike Dunleavy, who has coached the Lakers, Blazers, Bucks and Clippers.
Jackson, Breen, and Van Gundy formed a most entertaining broadcasting trio in the past, though Van Gundy is expected to be a candidate for at least the Lakers job and could depart.
“I’m thrilled,’’ Van Gundy told The Post from Indiana Saturday. “Anytime you work with friends, it makes it incredibly enjoyable. Mark, I and Breen all the way back to the Knicks. It was a no-brainer for us.’’
Jackson, who finished runner-up for the Knicks job in 2008, previously served as an NBA game analyst from 2006 to 2011 with Breen and Van Gundy, calling the NBA Finals five straight seasons.
As for Jackson’s coaching candidacy, Van Gundy said, “It’s not unusual to have an out. Good for him. He should have it. Not in regards to the Knicks, but Mark is an outstanding person and proved himself to be an outstanding coach. He’s been an overachiever his whole life.’’
Mark Jackson’s reputation has been sullied by some reported stories of not working well with others, including trying to ban consultant Jerry West from practice.
“There’s a journalism-ethics void right now,’’ a miffed Van Gundy said. “When a winning coach gets fired, some in the media get used to producing hatchet jobs based on anonymous sources that try to dismiss, demean and disparage someone. It’s really unfortunate.Make them put their name on it if you’re trying to hurt someone.’’
Phil Jackson and Knicks general manager Steve Mills were to compile a candidates list Friday in Chicago after the Dunleavy pow-wow. Derek Fisher, who is a member of the Thunder and begins the Western Conference finals Monday, has emerged as a top candidate, though he’s on record saying he wanted to take a year off. The Lakers also are expected to have interest in Fisher.
Jackson had yet to ask permission to speak to Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, a triangle guru, or Jim Cleamons, who won nine titles with Jackson. Another name Jackson likes is Pacers assistant Nate McMillan but must wait until they are eliminated.
Other names bandied about include Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg and former Jackson players with the Lakers, Tyronn Lue, an assistant coach, and Luke Walton.