Jackson missed out on Kerr, now reportedly lands second choice.
The New York Knicks have an agreement in place with Derek Fisher to become the team’s next head coach, according to multiple media sources including ESPN.
It is understood that the two parties are in the process of finalising a five-year deal worth $25m, as reported by Yahoo! Sports, with the Knicks having already scheduled a press conference for 11:30 ET on Tuesday.
Fisher has spent the last week deciding on his future after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season came to an end with defeat in the Western Conference Finals to the San Antonio Spurs.
While the Los Angeles Lakers were also understood to be interested in appointing Fisher for their own coaching vacancy, the veteran guard was mulling over whether or not to continue playing or make the transition to the front office.
However, given his relationship with Knicks team president Phil Jackson, Fisher has opted to join the Knicks and will look to continue his success with Jackson after the pair won five titles together in Los Angeles.
The 39-year-old will undoubtedly fit the mould that Jackson was looking for in his new coach, as he had always intended on hiring a young coach that he could mentor and there is the bonus of the fact that they have previously worked together.
Nevertheless, Fisher will have been Jackson’s second choice after Steve Kerr decided to join the Golden State Warriors last month, but he will now be hoping that Fisher can make the step up to coaching in a similar fashion to Jason Kidd last season with the Brooklyn Nets, after the rookie coach guided them to the second round of the playoffs.
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