Knicks insiders said part of former coach Lenny Wilkens’ willingness to reach a resignation agreement when he stepped down on Jan. 22 stemmed from needing to deal with his ailing 90-year-old mother.

Wilkens’ mother, Henrietta, who had been gravely ill in a Brooklyn nursing home, died early this week, sources said.

Wilkens was slated to make his debut on Fox Sports West on Wednesday night as a pregame and postgame host for Seattle games. A source said he’s postponed his debut until next week as he deals with his mother’s death. The Brooklyn-born Wilkens, who turned down an offer to be the Knicks’ assistant GM, has lived in Seattle since the 1970s.

Last weekend, Knick owner James Dolan called Wilkens’ resignation “a mutual thing.” Wilkens stepped down after a buzzer-beating loss to the Rockets after meeting with Isiah Thomas, as Herb Williams took command on Wilkens’ request.

Wilkens is getting paid this season and next season, with $7 million left on his contract.