Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson are reunited once again.
Fisher has accepted an offer to become the head coach of the New York Knicks, according to Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck. Sources told Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski that the deal is worth $25 million over five years.
Fisher, a 17-year veteran, played under Jackson, now the Knicks’ president, with the Los Angeles Lakers. The former guard won five titles with Jackson coaching.
He would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, which he spent with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but instead chose to retire. He joins Jason Kidd of the Brooklyn Nets as head coaches who retired from the NBA as players and were hired as coaches for the following season.
Jackson was a proponent of Fisher’s leadership throughout his career. During his Laker days, Jackson considered him the vocal leader of the team. Fisher is known for making several big shots throughout his Lakers career, including “The 0.4 Shot” in 2004 against the San Antonio Spurs, a game-tying 3-pointer in the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic, and a remarkable layup over three Celtics in the 2010 Finals.
He also served as the president of the National Basketball Players Association and had stints with the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets before finishing off his playing career with the Thunder.
Fisher replaces Mike Woodson, who was relieved of his duties as head coach along with his entire coaching staff after failing to make the playoffs this season.
