Maurice Cheeks is expected to be a complement to Thunder coach Scott Brooks, not the young coach's successor.

Cheeks was hired as an assistant in Oklahoma City over the weekend.

The former coach of the Blazers and 76ers has a career coaching mark of 284-286. The Thunder gave Brooks a two-year deal just before the end of the 2008-09 season.

There is an option in the contract that could keep Brooks in Oklahoma City through the 2011-12 season.