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Reports: Knicks hire Derek Fisher as head coach – Metro US

Reports: Knicks hire Derek Fisher as head coach

Derek Fisher Derek Fisher, left, was eliminated just last week.
Credit: Getty Images

The Knicks had few options in their coaching search after Steve Kerr passed, so it’s a good thing president Phil Jackson got his next choice.

According to multiple reports, the Knicks have agreed to a five-year, $25 million deal with former point guard Derek Fisher to become the team’s next head coach. Mike Woodson was fired at the end of the disappointing 2013-14 season.

Fisher, 39, never officially retired from the NBA after the Thunder were eliminated in the Western Conference finals last week, but just nine days later he’s become a head coach.

The move mirrors the one made by another point guard in the New York market. Nets head coach Jason Kidd retired and signed to become the team’s head coach just days later despite no coaching experience.

Like Kidd, Fisher was seen as a cerebral player on the court. He was point guard on five NBA title teams (2000 to 2002, 2009 and 2010) with the Lakers, all coached by Jackson.

It was seen as a prerequisite the next Knicks coach be familiar with Jackson’s Triangle offense. The team appeared to be zeroing in on TNT broadcaster Steve Kerr, with Jackson even saying he had a verbal agreement with his former player, only to see Kerr choose to coach the Warriors instead.

With Brian Shaw, a former Lakers assistant, coaching in Denver, Fisher was the logical next choice if Jackson could woo him away from his playing career.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.