As Donnie Walsh seeks to regain full autonomy within the Knicks organization, Mike D'Antoni could be losing some of his power on the Knicks' bench.

According to several sources, the front office will encourage D'Antoni to revamp his coaching staff to hire a defensive coach. In the past, D'Antoni has been reluctant to seek outside help, most famously refusing Steve Kerr's request four years ago to hire Tom Thibodeau in Phoenix. Thibodeau landed in Boston in 2007, and helped the Celtics win the title three seasons ago. He now is head coach of the top-seeded Bulls.

D'Antoni is under contract through next season and is expected to be retained after leading the Knicks to their first postseason appearance in seven years. However, under D'Antoni the Knicks have been among the league's weaker defensive teams, which is something Walsh would like to change.

Memphis assistant Dave Joerger, Orlando's Steve Clifford, Portland's Bill Bayno and Chicago's Ron Adams are all regarded as top defensive coaches. Another possibility for the Knicks is Thibodeau's replacement in Boston, Lawrence Frank, the former Nets' coach. Frank's contract expires this summer.

The New York have elected not to buyout the contract of Chauncey Billups for the 2010-11 season.

The Knicks had until Friday to pick up the option or pay Billups a $3.7 million buyout.

"Carmelo (Anthony), Amare (Stoudemire) and Chauncey are a great nucleus, as we continue to look to improve our team going into the offseason," Knicks president of basketball operation Donnie Walsh said in a statement. "Chauncey is an extremely talented and experienced point guard -- we are very happy to have him back."

The 13-year veteran missed three of the Knicks' four playoff games, all losses, to the Boston Celtics after straining a knee tendon late in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

The Knicks would have to get lucky, but one of their targets this summer is to bring Wilson Chandler back into the fold, The Post has learned.

Chandler, who was dispatched to Denver in the Carmelo Anthony trade, will be a restricted free agent, and a source said he would love to return to the Knicks. And the Knicks would love to have him back, as coach Mike D'Antoni believes he's the perfect versatile fit for his system who does so many things, including rebound. Chandler's Nuggets trail Oklahoma City 3-1 in the first round.

Chandler's new agent is Happy Walters, who also represents Amar'e Stoudemire and Knicks surprise reserve standout Shawne Williams, also a free agent whom the Knicks would like to bring back.

Knicks' owner James Dolan has until Saturday to pick up the option on Donnie Walsh's contract for next season, otherwise it expires June 30. Dolan has given no indication whether he wants Walsh to return.

Walsh would like to remain in his position, but he also wants to run the team without outside influence.

MSG president Scott O'Neil, according to sources, emerged as a strong voice in player transactions last summer.

O'Neil developed a strong relationship with associates of CAA, the agency that represents Anthony as well as LeBron James. 

One of his co-workers calls him "the best used car salesman around," but Walsh is apparently leery of O'Neil having sway on decisions concerning players.

Walsh wants assurances he will be New York's top decision-maker.

Carmelo Anthony predicted the Knicks can win at least 50 games next season, can be "the top team in the East" and he'd like a big say in personnel decisions this summer.

"We were 42-40 and I can say we could've been a 50-plus win team with some of the games we lost," Anthony said. "Our goal is to always be in the 50-plus win range, especially when we have a whole full year together with training camp and a chance to jell. On my radar, I want to be the top team in the East next year." […]

Anthony said he has no regrets about his decision to get traded instead of entering free agency, where the Knicks could have signed him without giving up all their assets.

"That's just something I didn't really want to have to deal with, not knowing what the CBA will be like," he said. "I don't regret anything. I'll live with that."
Anthony, though, won't live with another 42-40 season.

"We want to win, we don't want to have to wait," Anthony said. "We want to win right now. I'm 26, Amar'e is 28. We're young, but at the same time we want to get it done right now. We want to win right now. We've been waiting for a long time to win. The time is now."

Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony would like the Knicks to keep coach Mike D'Antoni and Donnie Walsh next season. D'Antoni has one year remaining on his four-year contract, and team president Donnie Walsh also is entering the final season of his deal if the Knicks pick up his option.

"Oh, absolutely. Absolutely," Stoudemire said. "Donnie has done a phenomenal job. He's one of the main reasons why I'm here in New York. He turned the Knicks' franchise around. Coach D'Antoni is the reason why we had the winning record and had a chance to do something special in the playoffs if it wasn't for a few injuries. And so I definitely think both those guys will be back next season."

Anthony is ready to support the two if they make it back.

"I support whatever decision that they make," Anthony said. "If Mike is here, I've got his back 100 percent. If Donnie is here, I've got his back 100 percent. So I support all the decisions."

Carmelo Anthony said he expects the Knicks’ Big Three to talk to the front office about their offseason agenda for improving the team.

“That’s something that as a group, collectively, we have to come together and see what we’re lacking, where we need to get stronger at,” Anthony said when asked what he thinks the Knicks need to add or improve.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll be talking to Donnie [Walsh] or [owner James] Dolan and Amar’e [Stoudemire] will be there and Chauncey [Billups] will be there, just trying to figure out some ways where we can become not just a playoff team but a championship-caliber team.”

There is a precedent. When Anthony was acquired from Denver at midseason, Stoudemire revealed that Dolan had kept him abreast of the trade talks.

The Knicks are considering a two-year extension for team president Donnie Walsh, with the matter expected to be resolved in the next two weeks, a source told CBSSports.com’s Ken Berger. 

Walsh, 69, has an option for the 2011-12 season to be exercised by April 30, but the more likely scenario is a two-year extension that would keep the architect of the Knicks' revival at the helm through the critical next phase of the rebuilding plan. If the option is not picked up, Walsh's contract expires June 30. 

"It's basically going to be Donnie's call whether he wants to come back," said the person with knowledge of the organization's intentions.

Chauncey Billups thinks the Knicks, if completely healthy, would have won their first-round series against Boston.

He also wants a chance to come back to New York next season and give it another shot.

Billups is due to make $14.2 million next season in the final year of his contract. But only $3.7 million of that is guaranteed so the Knicks could buy him out for that sum after the season and make him a free agent.

“I would love the opportunity to really try it up with these guys,” Billups said. “Not like play 30 games after a trade, like really have a season. Have an opportunity to really get a fair shake with these guys. I would love to.”

Shawn Williams will be a free agent this summer, and the valuable forward was perhaps the Knicks' most pleasant surprise of the season.

The four-year veteran didn't play in the NBA last season, earned a spot on the Knicks' roster in training camp, didn't get off the bench in the first 17 games, then emerged as a key reserve and spot starter.

"This is where I want to play at," Williams said. "Great group of guys. A couple great superstars that I feel like we can do something with."

The 25-year-old Williams -- who has the same agent, Happy Walters, as his friend and teammate Amar'e Stoudemire -- averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds this season while shooting an impressive 40.1 percent from 3-point range, 30th in the league.

"I feel like I've defined my role with this team a little bit," Williams said of his long-range touch. "But I can do a little bit better."