The Oklahoma City Thunder are hiring Chip Engelland, considered the NBA’s preeminent shooting teacher, as an assistant coach, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Engelland comes to the Thunder after 17 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, where he had been significantly credited with the shooting development of young players like Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Dejounte Murray — and even veterans like Richard Jefferson.
Engelland, 61, left the Spurs after the sides couldn’t agree on a new contract, sources said. He has long been one of the league’s highest paid assistant coaches.
Engelland has history with Thunder general manager Sam Presti, as their paths crossed in San Antonio in the mid-2000s. Engelland comes to the Thunder with the franchise brimming with young talent — and more expected on the way.
Oklahoma City is in the second year of a rebuild and has already gathered such young talent as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddy and No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren. Engelland will work on Mark Daignault’s coaching staff to develop the shooting habits across the young roster.