New York ? The deal that will make Larry Brown the highest-paid coach in professional sports history and return the Knicks back to respectability again will be finalized today.

According to multiple sources of the New York Daily News, Brown has agreed in principle to become the 22nd coach in franchise history and the Knicks’ fourth in 19 months. A press conference to formally introduce Brown will be held no later than Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

As of Tuesday night, the Knicks and Brown’s agent, Joe Glass, were still working out the final details of the contract.

“It’s down to the nitty gritty,” a person close to the negotiations said. “It’s going to get done.”

Glass, however, continues to play it close to vest, saying only that his client intends to be coaching somewhere next season.

“We’re having ongoing conversations,” Glass said over the telephone. “We’re no closer now than we were this morning.”

The details of the contract are unclear, although for weeks the rumor around the NBA was that the Knicks would give Brown a five-year contract worth between $50 million and $60 million. One agent, who did not want to be identified, claims that the contract could be as long as six years. Regardless of the final terms of the deal, Brown will still receive the $6 million he negotiated as part of his buyout with the Detroit Pistons.

The deal ends a whirlwind eight days for Brown, who reached a settlement with the Pistons on July 19.

Brown will turn 65 in September, and people close to him doubt that he will last more than four seasons in a stressful environment such as New York. Brown missed 17 games last season in Detroit after having hip surgery in November and developing a bladder condition. The Knicks may want to include an escape clause in Brown’s deal because of his recent health problems.