NBA Commissioner David Stern said yesterday he’ll render a decision on the Larry Brown vs. Knicks contract dispute “the second week of November.”

“It should be done after the NBA opening week,” Stern said, “the week of the 7th-8th. The evidentiary evidence is closed, the post-trial briefs have been submitted.”

That Stern has taken this long could be an indication the Knicks’ case has merit and that Brown will be docked a portion of the $40 million he says he is owed on his contract.

The Knicks fired Brown “with cause” after their disgraceful 23-59 record, as team officials believed the coach had other agendas aside from winning games, such as trading certain players and getting Isiah Thomas fired.