Derek Fisher Deal: Oklahoma City Thunder Sign Veteran Point Guard to Deal for Remainder of NBA Season

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed veteran point guard Derek Fisher on Monday for the remainder of the NBA season according to ESPN. This is the second straight season the Thunder have signed Fisher for the stretch run of the season and playoffs.

Fisher played 20 regular season games and 20 playoff games with the Thunder last season, but has not played this season since suffering a knee injury in December. Fisher played with the Dallas Mavericks earlier this season and played just nine games before asking for his release to spend more time with his family.

Although Fisher has never been considered a star player, he is a crafty veteran who provides leadership and depth at the point guard position for the Thunder. Fisher won five championships with the Lost Angeles Lakers before getting traded to the Houston Rockets last season. Fisher was bought out by the Rockets soon after getting traded and later signed with the Thunder. He averaged 6.3 points and 1.3 assists in 20 playoff games, providing the Thunder with solid bench production.

The Thunder had an open spot on their roster after trading third string point guard Eric Maynor to the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. There is no word yet on how much playing time Fisher will see, since Reggie Jackson has been the Thunder's backup point guard behind Russell Westbrook.

Fisher has been in the news recently after the National Basketball Players Association dismissed Billy Hunter as its executive director. Fisher is still currently the president of the NBPA.

This is a popular move by the Thunder, but it remains to be seen how much of an on-court impact this move will have. Unless Fisher overtakes Jackson as the backup point guard, Fisher will have a hard time finding playing time. At the very least, this signing gives the Thunder a veteran presence on the bench whith experience playing in multiple championship games.