NBA

‘CHANCE’ MEETING LINKS KIKI TO KNICKS

Kiki Vandeweghe, currently the special assistant to Nets team president Rod Thorn, gets linked to the Knicks and any potential front office opening for obvious reasons – he grew up a Knicks fan and was a second generation Knick.

But contrary to a published report, Vandeweghe said he did not attend or sit with Madison Square Garden president Steve Mills at a recent movie screening.

Vandeweghe admitted he met Mills “by chance” outside the Apollo Theater Monday and went inside with him. But that was it.

“I was on line (with friends) and Steve Mills, who I’ve known for years, came along. We went inside but we didn’t even sit together,” said Vandeweghe. “I work for the Nets and I’m very happy with the Nets. I love working with Rod Thorn and for Mr. (Bruce) Ratner. We’re at an exciting time in New Jersey, having just made a very good trade.”

Vandeweghe is signed only through June 30 with the Nets but every indication is the team likely will seek his services beyond that. Should the Knicks offer a job, he’d have to consider. But a consensus feeling is that Jerry Colangelo is the preferred choice to join the Knicks with a broom and stick of dynamite.

While one source confirmed the Nets, not the Knicks, arranged for Vandeweghe to attend the movie, another person at the event insisted Mills sat with assistant coach Herb Williams and his son; Mike Bantom of the NBA; PR honcho Dan Klores and his wife; plus John Issacs of the Harlem Rens.

Marc Berman contributed to this report