Mike D’Antoni is likely headed elsewhere by this weekend, but not much progress toward his final destination was made Wednesday. That could change quickly today.

D'Antoni, Knicks, Bulls weighing options

Read Jerry Brown's blog, 'Rim Shots'

ESPN.com, citing NBA coaching sources, reported the New York Knicks are prepared to make a “staggering” financial offer to D’Antoni to prove he is the No. 1 choice to lead that once-proud franchise out of the wilderness.

The offer, which could top $30 million for five years, would figure to far outdistance any offer D’Antoni’s other suitor, the Chicago Bulls, could muster.

D’Antoni’s agent, Warren LaGarie, who was flying back to the United States from Greece on Wednesday, will make use of a stopover in New York this morning to meet with the Knicks.

But while the Big Apple is coming after D’Antoni hard, sources confirm the Bulls still represent the better on-court situation in his eyes. The question is whether the Bulls, who already owe former coach Scott Skiles $4 million for next season, have enough cash to make a competitive offer to D’Antoni — something comparable to the $4.25 million average he is scheduled to make over his last two years in Phoenix.

The Suns aren’t expecting any compensation for the loss of D’Antoni, but they aren’t likely to grease the wheels for his departure by kicking in any money to help the Bulls either. And if the Bulls can’t justify spending upward of $8 million on a coach for next season, they might have to scale back their search to more affordable candidates unless D’Antoni agrees to backload his contract in return for some guaranteed money.

The Knicks have identified a more inexpensive alternative in former Knick Mark Jackson, long reported to be the leading candidate who would be more likely to accept a three-year deal in the $15 million range. But the Cablevision ownership also has the financial wherewithal to overwhelm D’Antoni.

LeGarie told the New York Post Wednesday D’Antoni was impressed with Knicks president Donnie Walsh and felt comfortable the relationship would work similar to the one he had with former Suns general manager Bryan Colangelo, who now runs the Toronto Raptors.

“The Knicks have the resources to win and Donnie is a key factor,” he said. “(From a working standpoint), Bryan was the gold mint and (D’Antoni) would like to go back to that standard.”

LeGarie also said New York’s current roster — which includes several players who might struggle in D’Antoni’s system — isn’t a hindrance. “Mike can coach any style,” he said. “He coached small ball with the Suns because that’s what he had. When he won a championship in Italy, he didn’t have gazelles.”

Several media outlets have reported D’Antoni has a Friday deadline to make a decision, but sources on both sides have brushed that theory aside. There is no deadline and D’Antoni can take his time, within reason, to get a deal done.

But with LeGarie now back in the country and word that an offer is pending from the Bulls, there are indications a resolution should come sooner rather than later.

With D’Antoni all but assured of leaving, some members of the Suns’ extended family are expressing their interest in being part of a future coaching staff.

KTVK-TV (Channel 3) reported that Suns Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle met with Kerr on Wednesday to discuss a possible assistant coaching position on the new staff. When asked about the meeting, Kerr reiterated he had not spoken to anyone about a possible replacement for D’Antoni or members of his staff.

Majerle, 42, spent 14 years in the NBA, including eight with Phoenix, and has been a Suns television color analyst for the last four years.

Another Suns broadcaster, Eddie Johnson, told KTVK that he would like to be considered for the head coaching position. Johnson, 49, spent 17 years in the NBA and has been in broadcasting since his retirement in 1999.

Messages left for both Majerle and Johnson by the Tribune were not returned.