DEREK FISHER ACCEPTS OFFER TO BE HEAD COACH OF N.Y. KNICKS FOR $25 MILLION

DEREK FISHER

Derek Fisher, who finished up his playing career only nine days ago with Oklahoma City, is close to finalizing a deal to become the Knicks head coach, ending Phil Jackson’s seven-week search, an NBA source confirmed.

Fisher, who turns 40 in August, said after the Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs that coaching was his “calling’’ and felt it was an “exciting’’ opportunity.

Yahoo! Sports reported the deal is for five years and $25 million.

Fisher, who won five titles under Jackson as a player with the Lakers, is expected to install the triangle offense that is revered by Jackson. Steve Kerr was Jackson’s first choice, but he backed out of a verbal agreement last month.



Jackson wanted to wrap up a coaching agreement this week before a trip to Turkey for his son’s wedding.

Fisher, who played 19 seasons, may fill out his staff with some of his former Lakers teammates, including Rick Fox, who also interviewed for the job, and Luke Walton, a player developmental coach with the D-League’s Los Angeles Defenders.

Jackson said 10 days ago he thought it intriguing to hire someone with “a clean slate,’’ meaning no coaching experience. Jackson was fined $25,000 last week for tampering because of public comments about Fisher’s candidacy.

The Knicks’ best offer to Kerr was for four years and $17.6 million.