Knicks president Phil Jackson met with Kurt Rambis’ Chicago-based agents Tuesday night in New York. That may well be a sign things are progressing toward Rambis being announced soon as the Knicks head coach.

However, Rambis’ agents are also Jackson’s representatives. The agents are also close, longtime friends with Jackson. The meeting could have been a social visit/debriefing. Jackson potentially dealing in Rambis contract negotiations with his own agents makes this uncommon.

Jackson has interviewed Golden State assistant Luke Walton and made contact with former Cavaliers coach David Blatt. But the Zen Master’s coaching search has been narrow, as he had proclaimed it would be, which only has helped Rambis’ bid. Sources said Rambis was the front-runner when the process began, and nothing has changed.

Walton would be Jackson’s preferred choice, but the chance of Walton leaving the Warriors for the Knicks is a long shot — especially if the newly opened Lakers job is offered.

Jackson has been questioned for failing to make a phone call to fan favorite Tom Thibodeau after the Knicks did their due diligence/research on their former assistant. But even if Jackson spoke to Thibodeau, the Knicks would have stood no chance, considering the Timberwolves offered Thibodeau total control as president of basketball operations. If Knicks owner James Dolan was supposedly “intrigued,” as one report stated, he also supported Jackson and general manager Steve Mills’ decision to not give chase.

Jackson said after the season he won’t be pressured by a media campaign to go after candidates he doesn’t believe would be “simpatico” with the front office. Jackson learned the hard way about difficulties in winning when the GM and coach aren’t on the same page — having waged past wars with former Bulls GM Jerry Krause.

While Rambis is an expert teacher of the triangle offense, his leadership skills during a 9-19 interim stint came under scrutiny. If he kept Rambis, however, Jackson would become more involved with the daily operations and his reputation as a superior team leader was key in winning 11 NBA titles as head coach.

Meanwhile, the new Minnesota power couple, Thibodeau and former Knicks GM Scott Layden, were introduced at a press conference. Thibodeau said he asked owner Glen Taylor to tab Layden as his right-hand man.

“This is about alignment, not about power,’’ Thibodeau said. “I’ve known Scott a long time. We’ve shared our philosophy with each other. We feel very strongly about certain things. He was the person I really wanted.”

Layden, whose family still lives in Manhattan, told T’wolves fans that, due to Thibodeau’s coaching ability, they were “going to have an unbelievable experience.”

The low-key Layden also joked, in a subtle dig at the controlling Knicks, “We spent so much money on media training for me because I was such a stiff that we could’ve signed another player.’’

Thibodeau wouldn’t predict a playoff berth next season for the young but talented Wolves, who have posted 11 straight losing seasons.

“Someday we will be in the playoffs — whether it’s this year or the following year, I don’t know,’’ Thibodeau said. “But I want to prepare like we are going to be there.”

Asked about fiancée Jackson’s future on FoxSports Radio, Lakers president Jeanie Buss said: “He signed a five-year agreement. … Before he took [the Knicks job], I asked my siblings if it would be possible for Phil to play a role with the Lakers because it would make me better at my job. It would be somebody that I would enjoy having an opportunity to work with, the man I’m engaged to.

“My brother [Jim] made it clear that he and [Lakers GM] Mitch [Kupchak] didn’t need another voice in the front office.”