The Knicks officially announced yesterday that former Atlanta Hawks coach Lon Kruger had been hired for Don Chaney's staff. Kruger, who went 69-122 in 2-1/2 seasons with the Hawks, joins Brendan Malone, Herb Williams and Michael Malone on the Knicks bench.

Celtic great Dave Cowens, Chaney's long-time friend and former teammate, was regarded as a leading candidate for one of the assistant positions but was passed over for Kruger and Brendan Malone. Chaney was unavailable for comment yesterday.