Knicks to hire D'Antoni as head coach: report

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mike D'Antoni will leave the Phoenix Suns to take over as head coach of the New York Knicks, Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site on Saturday (si.com).

D'Antoni, courted by the Knicks and Chicago Bulls since getting permission from the Suns to discuss other jobs, has agreed to a four-year $24 million deal, the report said, citing an NBA source.

In four full seasons with Phoenix, D'Antoni steered the Suns to two Western Conference finals. They were eliminated in the first round of this year's playoffs by the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

D'Antoni would replace Isiah Thomas, who was fired by new Knicks president Donnie Walsh after a 23-59 season. Thomas also served as club president before Walsh.

Thomas took over as Knicks coach after the firing of Larry Brown following a 23-59 record in the 2005-06 season and registered a 33-49 mark in 2006-07.

(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Ed Osmond)