Bill Cartwright interviews with Phil Jackson and Knicks

In a move that suggests that Steve Kerr is close to taking the Knicks’ head coaching job, Bill Cartwright has emerged as Kerr’s first lieutenant after interviewing for an assistant coach position with the team, the Daily News has learned.

Cartwright, a former Knick center and longtime NBA assistant and head coach, was in New York last weekend to meet with Phil Jackson, according to a person close to Cartwright.

Kerr was also in the city last weekend to talk to Jackson about the head coaching post, and it’s probable that Cartwright and Kerr met to discuss a key position on Kerr’s new staff.