New York, NY (Sports Network) - Mike D'Antoni agreed in principle on Saturday to become the next head coach of the New York Knicks.

A press conference will be scheduled upon completion of the contract.

After their first-round exit from the playoffs, the Phoenix Suns granted permission to the 2004-05 Coach of the Year to talk with other teams about their coaching vacancies, and the 57-year old D'Antoni chose the Knicks.

The Knicks, under new general manager Donnie Walsh, fired head coach Isiah Thomas last month, bringing a close to his disastrous two-year run, during which New York stumbled to a 56-108 record.

D'Antoni left Phoenix despite his successful stint with the Suns. He led Phoenix to a 253-136 mark in four-plus seasons. The club twice reached the conference finals under D'Antoni, but wasn't able to make the next step and advance to the NBA Finals.