The New York Knicks have reached an agreement with Derek Fisher to become the team’s new head coach.
ESPNNewYork.com reports that the two parties are close to finalizing a deal worth $25 million over the course of five years.
Fisher earned a combined $4.73 million over the last three seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Following Oklahoma City’s elimination from the playoffs at the hands of San Antonio, Fisher contemplated a return to the hardwood for at least another season.
However, he shifted gears after learning that the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks both expressed interest in interviewing Fisher to fill those coaching vacancies.
Fisher’s former coach and now New York Knicks’ president Phil Jackson was ultimately the deciding factor in Fisher’s decision to join the franchise as the new head coach. Fisher has a budding relationship with Phil that dates back to when Fisher played for the Lakers and helped them to five titles.
Fisher has displayed vocal leadership while playing for the Lakers under Jackson. He has the opportunity to be mentored by one of the greatest if not greatest head coach of all time.
With Fisher coming on board with the Knicks this will be the second year in a row where a player made an immediate transition from player to head coach. Last season Jason Kidd assumed the head coaching position for the Brooklyn Nets shortly after retirement. Kidd’s first season at head coach culminated in a second round appearance in the playoffs for the Nets where they lost to the Miami Heat.
Fisher is taking over for a New York Knicks team who finished the regular season with a 37-45 record and third place finish in the Atlantic Division.
Photo Credit: NBCProBasketballTalk, Balloverall.com
Follow us on Twitter @hiphopenquirer
