Phil Jackson’s first preference in his post-Steve Kerr hunt isn’t Derek Fisher, but rather Brian Shaw, the Nuggets coach who keeps stating he is happy in Denver.

According to a source, Jackson, the Knicks president, prefers Shaw over Fisher, but the Nuggets would require the Knicks to pay compensation. That appears to be a bigger roadblock to getting Shaw out of his Denver contract than Shaw’s reluctance to come to New York. It’s unclear whether Jackson has formally asked the Nuggets for permission to speak to Shaw.

The source said Jackson hasn’t totally given up hope he somehow can pry Shaw from Denver, especially if the Fisher scenario falls through.

Interestingly, the Nuggets propped up Shaw on the dais of Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery. He finished his first season in Denver without a playoff berth amid some rumblings the players weren’t thrilled with him. The Nuggets didn’t improve their lottery position and will pick 11th.

“I’m happy where I am,” Shaw told The Post on his way out of the lottery room Tuesday night. “I have a job here, so all the speculation that’s out there, that’s just speculation.”

If Jackson can’t get Fisher or Shaw, he may at least take a look at another former Lakers guard he once coached.

While former Jackson assistants Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons are well-established candidates, the dark horse is Tyronn Lue, who has been an NBA assistant coach for five seasons, all under Doc Rivers. Rivers would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Lue, who was with Rivers in Boston and moved with him to the Clippers.

Lue has played for Jeff and Stan Van Gundy, Rivers, Jackson, Scott Skiles and even Mike Woodson in a journeyman career, in which he played for seven teams in 10 NBA seasons.

But what could help Lue’s candidacy most is that he’s a friend of Carmelo Anthony, having met him through former Nuggets and Knicks teammate Chauncey Billups, who is best friends with Lue.

Lue has either coached or played with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. With the Lakers, Lue played in a backcourt with Bryant, Fisher, Shaw and Ron Harper.

“He’s got a wonderful personality,’’ said a coach who had Lue on his team early in his career. “He has a great knowledge of the game and how to play the triangle. He was first hired [in Boston] as a skills development coach. He has a love for the game and an ability to get along well with people.’’

It wouldn’t be a sexy hire, but it certainly would fit the bill of Jackson looking to mold an inexperienced coach. After Kerr decided to coach the Warriors rather than the Knicks, an NBA source said Jackson has opened up his search and would consider a veteran coach without a triangle background, putting Mark Jackson on his list.

Jackson interviewed Mike Dunleavy last Friday for two hours. Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday that Dunleavy has also interviewed with the Lakers.

The Lakers could be competitors for Fisher, possibly even in a front-office position. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Wednesday he hopes to hire a coach who can get the best out of Bryant. Fisher and Bryant are very close.

Fisher said this week he hasn’t changed his mind about retirement, but word out of Oklahoma City is the organization would love to have him back as a player/assistant coach next season.