Report: OKC Thunder ‘Very Close’ to Deal With Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with the Thunder, and Kevin Durant says that he’d welcome the veteran guard with open arms. From ESPN: “Derek Fisher is in advanced negotiations with the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Western Conference leaders after clearing waivers, according to sources close to the situation. Fisher is scheduled to clear waivers at 6 p.m. ET Wednesday. One source with knowledge of the talks said that Fisher is ‘very close’ to committing to sign with the Thunder once he becomes a free agent. […] Sources said the Heat have made a strong recruitment effort to sign Fisher, but the Thunder have more financial flexibility to sign him and more of a role to offer after the loss of backup point guard Eric Maynor in early January to a season-ending knee injury. There also is a feeling among some rival teams that Fisher prefers to stay in the West, where he has played his entire career. Another advantage for the Thunder, sources said, is Fisher’s agent, Rob Pelinka, just signed Thunder star Kevin Durant. Pelinka also represents Thunder swingman James Harden. If the deal goes through, as expected, Fisher potentially will face the Lakers twice during the regular season at Staples Center (March 29 and April 22) before the playoffs.”