Derek Fisher Could Be Player/Assistant Coach For OKC Thunder Next Season

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OKC Thunder point guard Derek Fisher has found himself the subject of intense head coaching rumors during the team's run in the 2014 NBA Playoffs - with speculation swirling that he may have his choice of either the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks jobs this offseason.

Per Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, Fisher may coach next season. But, it could be in a completely different situation than anyone has talked about yet:

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

 

The reason why Fisher would be termed as an "unofficial" assistant coach is because the current NBA collective bargaining agreement prohibits the use of player-coaches, due to the fact that coaches' salaries are not counted towards the league's salary cap.

Using Fisher as an assistant coach would give Fisher valuable experience in the NBA coaching ranks, along with giving Thunder GM Sam Presti the opportunity to evaluate head coach Scott Brooks for one more year in both in his work with Fisher and for his overall results with the team.

Thanks to Glenn Erby of FootBasket.com for the find.

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