OKLAHOMA CITY — Knicks coaching candidate Derek Fisher finally revealed his desire to be a head coach. He said it’s his “calling’’ during an emotional 20-minute press conference Sunday, the day after his Thunder were eliminated by the Spurs from the Western Conference finals.

During what sounded like a farewell chat with the media at the Thunder’s practice facility, the 39-year-old Fisher acknowledged the timing isn’t perfect in terms of jumping into the coaching fray but added, “That’s how the world works nowadays.” He said new Knicks president Phil Jackson’s involvement adds “layers’’ to his decision.

Jackson and the Lakers are expected to pursue Fisher for their coaching vacancies. The Lakers may want Fisher for the front office. Fisher lives in Los Angeles and has four young children.

Jackson said Friday there are “a lot of unknowns’’ regarding Fisher’s willingness to move his family to New York.

When asked what intrigues him about being a head coach, Fisher said: “I think I’ve always — for the last decade — really felt my purpose in life and calling was to be in a leadership position or some position of impact on other people. I didn’t know if that would be philanthropic, community, business, management, continuing to play. But somehow I’ve been blessed to positively impact other people. I didn’t know how that vision would come to life.

“Coaching allows me to positively impact other people’s lives, to help people find success when they haven’t or have, working together for common goal. That’s what I did for 33 years as a player, starting with basketball at age 6. There’s a love for helping other people. Not playing anymore — if that’s what it’s to be — coaching or being in the front office or being in a role where I can positively impact others and work together for a common goal is exciting to me.”

I think I’ve always felt my purpose in life and calling was to be in a leadership position or some position of impact on other people. - Derek Fisher

Fisher admitted jumping into the frying pan in New York or Los Angeles isn’t ideal. Fisher, who mostly avoided the subject of his future previously, said Sunday he needed to have “discussions privately with my family and appropriate people depnding on what that decision is.’’

“It’s surreal to think about for sure,’’ Fisher said. “I always envisioned finishing up as a player [to] take a step back and go on a sabbatical for a year or two and be the best dad you can be for a while then make some decisions what to do next. That’s not the way the world works these days. That’s changed in business, sports, life. So much of life is timing and opportunity and being able to take advantage of right opportunities in right situations at the right time.”

Fisher, who won five titles running the triangle offense for Jackson, said his ties to the Zen Master are a factor in his decision.

“There’s for sure huge layers added to a personal and professional relationship I’ve had with Phil Jackson over the years and the position he’s in,’’ Fisher said. “Also with the Lakers having an opening for sure adds layers to it. Any important decision in life you can’t be driven completely by what’s going on externally. You have to have an internal set of boundaries. I’ll combine all those things to make the best decision possible.’’

Fisher didn’t announce his retirement, but sounded emotional during the news conference, thanking the media for helping him to prepare for his next step. He left the door open a crack to return, and wouldn’t say whether Thunder management offered him a position to come back as a player/coach. Coach Scott Brooks played Fisher the final 22 minutes of Game 6 as he logged a season-high 32 minutes in the overtime defeat.

“I watched the game [Saturday] night, my heart is still in it, but I’m realistic. I can’t do this forever,’’ said Fisher, who announced during training camp this likely would be his final season.

Asked whether it would be tough to coach a close friend such as Kobe Bryant, Fisher said, “If something like that were to happen, we’re brothers, so we’ll figure it out.”

Fisher didn’t sound overwhelmingly positive about living in New York, however, noting he’s from Little Rock, Ark., and that the big city scared him during his rookie year when his Lakers played the Knicks. Fisher spent weeks at a time in New York during the lockout as president of the players’ union.

“It grew on me — more so during the collective bargaining, how much time I spent in the city,’’ Fisher said. “It’s a great city. One of the great cities in the world. Pretty big city. The first time I went to New York as a rookie I locked myself in my hotel room because I was afraid what was going to happen to me. Oklahoma City is a great city. There’s a lot to do everywhere.’’