Derek Fisher is a valued commodity right now and with the Knicks chomping at the bit to hire him as head coach, Sam Amick of USA Today believes the Oklahoma City Thunder could have some plans for Fisher as well.
Amick believes the Thunder could try the approach of having Fisher remain with the team as a player, while also utilizing him as an assistant coach as well.
On the Derek Fisher front, I'm told one possibility that has been discussed in addition to head coach: player/asst. w/ Thunder next year.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) May 21, 2014
Fisher could play one more season while learning coaching ropes (unofficial asst.) under Scott Brooks. That entire group values him greatly.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) May 21, 2014
I like the move.
It allows Fisher to remain with the Thunder as a player and leader, while learning the ropes as a coach. It would also allow Sam Presti and Thunder management to gauge Scott Brooks for one more season, and possibly hand the coach reigns over to Fisher. It would at the least, help create some leverage in retaining Kevin Durant in free agency the next summer.