Derek Fisher Signing Would Bring Championship Presence for the Young OKC Thunder

With Marc Stein from ESPN.com reporting that free agent guard Derek Fisher's signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder is imminent, the signing would give Fisher the contender he wants to sign with and the Thunder a veteran guard who has championship experience.

Stein wrote:

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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 Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. ET. One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com that Fisher is "very close" to committing to sign with the Thunder once he becomes a free agent.

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Signing Fisher would be just as good for the team as it would be for Fisher himself. After being traded to the Houston Rockets from the Los Angeles Lakers, Fisher and the Rockets agreed to a buyout of his contract, making him a free agent. Fisher was said to want to play for a championship contender.

Although Fisher is averaging 5.9 points, 3.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game—numbers below his career averages—Fisher will still prove to be a valuable asset beyond his numbers to the Thunder.

Fisher was a part of five NBA title winning teams with the Lakers and would be a vital, veteran contributor to a successful postseason run for the young Thunder.

Fisher can give players guidance—mainly Thunder guard Russell Westbrook—once the playoffs begin on how to handle the extra pressure that comes with playoff games, and he can help the Thunder get over the hump and make it to the NBA Finals this season.

Last season the Thunder were one series away from making their first NBA Finals appearance since the team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1996, and adding Fisher should be the final piece they need to put the puzzle of how to make the NBA Finals together.