NaVorro Bowman, the former All-Pro 49ers linebacker and Kevin Durant’s childhood friend from the DC area, told The Post his buddy “needs’’ the Knicks.

Bowman, who played youth basketball with Durant starting in middle school, added the Warriors star already has “an idea’’ about a destination for next season and hinted the Knicks are the favorite.

Bowman played seven full seasons for San Francisco before splitting his last season between the 49ers and Raiders. He has maintained his friendship with Durant, a free agent July 1.

Asked if the Knicks were a good fit, Bowman went wild.

“It’s New York City, man,’’ Bowman said in a phone interview. “It’s the Big Apple. I think it’s a place where Kevin needs to go to solidify Kevin Durant. I hate to say it, but LeBron (James), he’s a got a way about the people. His legacy is huge right now.

“Kevin’s right there. I don’t see who’s ahead of who. But if he goes to New York and does what I know he’s capable of, he’ll go down as one of the best to ever play the game.”

The NBA announced Thursday that James leads in jersey sales at its NBA Store; Durant placed a distant eighth. That would change in a heartbeat, says Bowman.

“It’s Madison Square Garden,’’ said Bowman, who grew up in District Heights, the next town over from Durant’s Seat Pleasant, Md. “That’s what we ask when you’re a kid from DC. The biggest stage for the best player. It’s going to be a show. It’s going to be packed. The market there is unmatched. We want to have a little controversy, but in the end, his game is going to speak for itself.”

Durant scored 45 points against the Clippers in Game 5’s loss Wednesday and netted a playoff career-high 50 in the Warriors 129-110 series-clinching victory in Game 6 on Friday. Bowman gave no clues the Clippers will be a strong consideration as many have speculated. In fact, Bowman made a reference about leaving California.

“It’s an exciting time for him,’’ said Bowman, who did not play last season and is expected to sign with the Niners for one day and officially retire. “It’s his last hurrah to build a legacy in a whole ‘nother state, whole ‘nother organization. You want to make sure you make the right decision.”

While Bowman thinks Durant has enjoyed some of the drama about his future, he understood why the forward angrily denounced the media after the Knicks made the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster in January and speculation reached a crescendo.

“He got a little angry because it was so early and guys wanted an answer,’’ Bowman said. “It doesn’t work like that. Athletes now, we wait until the very last second to make a decision. I think he’s fine now. If I was him I’d be enjoying it. It’s like the draft all over again.’’

Bowman believes only a few clubs will have a crack at Durant.

“I think he’ll talk to a small number of teams,’’ Bowman said. “One of those teams will already be the team he wants to go to. The way I look at it is, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket. It’s better to see what everything is about. He’ll have three other teams he’ll look at, but he already has an idea where he’s going.’’

Bowman acknowledged Durant’s decision could also hinge on Kyrie Irving. The Celtics point guard, from West Orange, NJ, has previously expressed an interest in the Knicks. The Knicks have enough cap space to fit the pair. Durant coming solo would compromise his chances of lifting the Knicks out of the sewer.

“The way the NBA is shaped now, you have to be strategic who you are going with for the long run,’’ Bowman said. “But New York’s a great place. You got to know what person and people you’re going to end up with when you make this move. It’s a huge thing. You don’t know what Kevin and Kyrie have perking up. If he’s able to go with Kyrie, I don’t think they’ll be an easy team to beat. (But) make sure you got pieces in order, that’s what I’d tell him before he makes the decision.’’

Handling the crucible of New York won’t be a problem, according to Bowman.

“I don’t think it’s an issue,’’ Bowman said. “It’s been so hard our whole life. To get where he’s gotten and it’s still hard. We’re human. Our upbringing is something that if we got through that nothing can stop us. You don’t understand. People don’t get it. It was hard, rugged and not pretty and he still got it done.’’

Bowman, who played football at Penn State, believes he would have made the NBA if he chose that path. (Joe Paterno wouldn’t let him play basketball). Bowman said he was a more explosive player than Durant in middle school and said he didn’t think back then Durant had the drive “to take it.’’

He was wrong. A 6-foot, 240-pound combo guard and AAU teammate of Durant’s, Bowman has attended a host of Golden State’s games across the last couple of years and “cherishes’’ watching KD become a champion.

With retirement looming, Bowman moved back to the DC area, to McLean, Va., this week, mostly for his 9-year-old son who worships Durant.

“My son fell in love with basketball and he looks up to Kevin a lot,’’ Bowman said. “He talks to Kevin a lot. It would be messed up if I didn’t bring my son here to learn the game of basketball. I don’t think there’s any other place in this world that can teach the game of basketball like the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia).’’

“I’m not satisfied for him,’’ Bowman added of Durant. “He’s got goals and things he wants to do. It’s always about who is considered the best. And to go after it. It’s the competitor in him. I think the sky’s the limit for him.”