The Knicks attempted to muzzle former executive Anucha Browne Sanders in December 2005 by promising to help her land a high-paying job if she kept quiet about alleged sexual harassment by coach Isiah Thomas, the Daily News has learned.

But Browne Sanders, then one of the NBA's highest-ranking female executives, spurned the offer, which included a one-year Knicks consultancy gig at a salary of $300,000.

She countered with a demand for $5.95 million, which Garden honcho James Dolan branded "ridiculous" and prompted him to fire her.

The behind-the-scenes tug of war between Madison Square Garden and Browne Sanders, whose suit is set to go to trial in Manhattan Federal Court with jury selection beginning tomorrow, is contained in previously undisclosed court papers.