NBA

No news is good news for Walsh’s Knicks job

The deadline for Knicks owner James Dolan to exercise the option on team president Donnie Walsh’s final contractual year passed yesterday without a move, meaning the Knicks president likely is in store for a spanking-new contract extension instead, likely two years.

The Post, citing multiple sources, reported exclusively on Wednesday that Walsh’s return next season is all but a done deal.

The Knicks have yet to announce Walsh’s extension, nor has Walsh met with the media since the season ended last Sunday in a first-round sweep by the Celtics.

The Knicks were the only club swept, and Walsh did not want to go into retirement in that manner.

His only concern was regaining control as No. 1 decision-maker of basketball operations, believing too many voices were in Dolan’s ear, even outside the organization.

The Post has learned that, beyond Isiah Thomas’ informal conversations with the owner, celebrity superfan Spike Lee also had Dolan’s ear and lobbied hard for the Knicks to keep rookie Landry Fields out of the Carmelo Anthony trade.

Lee had worn Fields’ “6” jersey across the season and has been a attendant at a handful of Knicks practices, including in Los Angeles.

One source said the delay in Walsh’s announcement could be due to him trying to finalize new contracts for several members of his basketball staff, including senior VP Glen Grunwald and pro personnel director John Gabriel.

It is unclear if Walsh wants recently hired consultant Mark Warkentien to return. The former Nuggets GM’s pact ends June 30.

Walsh also would like the authority to hire a GM to assist him in scouting and dealing as another front man for the media.

marc.berman@nypost.com