NEW YORK - Despite a poor season and some ill health, Larry Brown will be back with the New York Knicks next season.

The Newark Star-Ledger reported that the Knicks coach, who has missed three straight game because of a stomach ailment, could also be back for Wednesday's season finale against the New Jersey Nets, Brown.

Brown's agent, Joe Glass, told the paper as much.

"At this point in time, he's going to coach" Glass said. "If he's feeling okay tomorrow, he'll coach."

Glass also stated that Brown, despite any health concerns, will be on the Knicks' bench for the 2006-07 season.

"Larry Brown will be coaching the Knicks next year," he told the paper. "Nothing has changed ... . It's such a stupid thing that's going on with you guys in the media. The guy gets sick. What the (heck) has that got to do with the following year? What's the matter with you guys? What are you looking for?"

While the Knicks say they want Brown to come back, they don’t want the 65-year-old coach to push himself for just one game.

“I’m not sure how important it is,” assistant coach Herb Williams said. “I think the most important thing right now is his health, make sure that he gets everything intact so he can come back and coach the team. As far as coming back for a game, I’m not sure how important that is.”

This was just a couple days after the Knicks took out an insurance policy on Brown’s contract that would free the team from paying the remainder of the coach’s contract if he’s forced to resign due to health issues, the New York Daily News reported Monday.

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The newspaper, citing an anonymous league source, reported that the Knicks made the move when Brown signed his record five-year, $50 million contract. The newspaper also said the contract would not prevent Brown from taking another NBA or college job if he and the Knicks part ways.

While coaching the Pistons last season, Brown missed 17 games after having a hip replaced. That operation led to a bladder problem that required surgery in November. Brown needs more surgery for the bladder problem, but he’s putting that off until after the season.

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