Oklahoma City Thunder Should Have Let Derek Fisher Walk


Derek Fisher Thunder Free Agency

Jerome Miron – USA Today Sports Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder re-signed Derek Fisher around a week ago, bringing back the point guard who played 24 games for them in the 2012-2013 NBA season. Many people have talked about the value of Fisher as a valuable leader at the point guard position, however, that may not outweigh what he takes off of the table and how little he has left in the tank.

With the Thunder last year, the 38-year-old Fisher played in those 24 games and averaged just 4.1 points, 0.7 assists and 0.9 rebounds per game in 14.4 minutes per game and while shooting an abysmal 33.3 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from three.

Despite Fisher’s poor showing in the regular season, though, Fisher did turn it on in the postseason, especially with Russell Westbrook getting injured and Fisher having to step in as the backup to Reggie Jackson. In 11 playoff games, Fisher averaged 8.7 points, 0.7 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting a solid 45.7 percent from the floor and 47.1 percent from beyond-the-arc.

However, Fisher’s scoring explosion in the playoffs isn’t enough to give Fisher another deal, especially one that locks him up for an entire season. Fisher can show bursts of solid play, but he’s a below-averaged offensive player and an abysmal defender for the rest of the time. For a team like the Thunder that are in need of some kind of new life, Fisher isn’t going to bring that to the table.

When you get down to it, the Thunder probably should have let Fisher walk and not re-signed him. He gives the team a bit of insurance at the point guard position, but there are better options on the market than Fisher. If he gives them anything positive this season, consider it a surprise.

Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google+ and like his Facebook page.


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