Fisher hopes return to L.A will soften Bryant's trade demand

[McDwyane]

The Lakers are dipping into their past, plucking guard Derek Fisher from the temporarily unemployed line and pulling him back into their fold.

A member of the Lakers for three championship runs, Fisher has agreed in principle to a three-year contract worth about $14 million, a move that would reunite him with the team that drafted him out of Arkansas Little Rock with the 24th pick in 1996.

He must first clear waivers after the Utah Jazz files paperwork to terminate his contract, a process that probably won't be completed until next week. There is also a chance he gets claimed by a team willing to pay the remainder of his Utah contract -- three years and almost $21 million -- but that is considered unlikely.

The first year of Fisher's proposed deal with the Lakers would pay him slightly more than $4 million, meaning the Lakers would have only a little more than $1 million left from their $5.3-million mid-level exception to sign another free agent. They also have the veterans' exception of $1.3 million at their disposal.

Separately, the Lakers could re-sign center Chris Mihm without using the remainder of their mid-level exception or their veterans' exception.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak spoke in general terms Thursday, neither confirming nor denying the possibility of Fisher returning to the Lakers.

"That position has been something that we identified as an area where we felt we needed to improve," Kupchak said. "Not a slight to Jordan [Farmar] and our drafted rookie [Javaris Crittenton], who's just 19 years old, but at 19 and 20 years old with limited NBA experience, we're not going to think that they're going to be the ones that can lead the team next year.

"Having said that, without naming players that are out there, when we have additional information and we have an announcement, we'll make that announcement. Right now, we're not in that position, but we're getting close." Fisher would increase the Lakers' roster to 13 players and move their payroll close to the luxury-tax threshold of $67.87 million. Teams are charged a dollar in luxury taxes for every dollar they are over the threshold. Only five teams paid the tax last season -- New York ($45.1 million), Dallas ($7.2 million), Denver ($2 million), Minnesota ($998,536) and San Antonio ($196,082).

Kupchak said last month the Lakers would try to limit next season's roster to 14 players, one below the NBA maximum, although he said Thursday that, "You have to be flexible."

Second-round pick Marc Gasol of Spain will play in Europe next season, but Kupchak was impressed by the team's other second-round pick, Sun Yue, who has played for Team China this week at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Undrafted Boise State guard Coby Karl has played well for the Lakers' summer-league team in Las Vegas.

Fisher, who turns 33 next month, fills numerous needs for the Lakers, who have been seeking a veteran ball-handling guard since the Smush Parker experiment failed. Obviously familiar with the triangle offense, Fisher likely steps right into the Lakers' starting lineup.

A franchise favorite in his first tour with the Lakers because of his activity in the community and his diplomacy in the locker room, Fisher had the ear of Coach Phil Jackson and, of equal importance these days, Kobe Bryant. Bryant would not reveal if Fisher's arrival would guarantee his own return to the Lakers.

"I'm not getting into my situation," Bryant said Wednesday at a Nike promotional event. "I'm just not going to go there."

Bryant, a friend of Fisher's in happier days with the Lakers, spoke warmly of his former backcourt mate in broader terms.

Fisher asked out of his contract with the Jazz two weeks ago to move to a city with more appropriate medical care for his 1-year-old daughter, Tatum, who has a rare form of eye cancer. Unless another team claims him off waivers, Fisher will end up taking a significant pay cut.

"It's a very tough predicament for him to be in," Bryant said. "Obviously, he's got to look after his family. That's always been his No. 1 concern. He and I are extremely, extremely close. I just want what's best for him."

Fisher left the Lakers three years ago after signing a six-year, $37-million free-agent contract with Golden State. He was traded to Utah before last season and started 61 games, averaging 10.1 points, 3.3 assists and 27.9 minutes, higher numbers than those during the 2003-04 season, his last with the Lakers. He averaged 7.1 points, 2.1 assists and 21.6 minutes that season.

Fisher is expected to be a mentor to the Lakers' ball-handling guards, who are as young as any in the league. Fisher was in the playoffs all eight years with the Lakers, with some memorable moments to boot. He averaged 13.4 points in the 2001 playoffs as the Lakers won the second of three consecutive championships, and he hit his unforgettable '0.4' shot as time wound down in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio.

Forward Luke Walton officially signed a six-year, $30-million contract Thursday to stay with the Lakers, who could not make a formal announcement until the end of the 10-day free-agent moratorium period.

Walton, 27, averaged career -highs of 11.4 points, five rebounds and 4.3 assists a game last season.

"This is where I wanted to be when the whole free-agency thing started," Walton said. "I'm looking forward to helping this team, and to get back into the playoffs and eventually into the championship, and try to bring some more championships back to Los Angeles, where the trophies belong."

[Anthony15]

Well obviously, he needed to be in a big city, where they can help the rare disease that his daughter has. He'll be a sure help at point, since Smush is starting to suck like he used to and Framar is still learning.

BTW, bot/xbox360, you don't need to post the whole article, just a link with an important quote.

[McDwyane]

Well obviously, he needed to be in a big city, where they can help the rare disease that his daughter has. He'll be a sure help at point, since Smush is starting to suck like he used to and Framar is still learning.

BTW, bot/xbox360, you don't need to post the whole article, just a link with an important quote.

do you think that D-fish will be a starter?

[Anthony15]

Well obviously, he needed to be in a big city, where they can help the rare disease that his daughter has. He'll be a sure help at point, since Smush is starting to suck like he used to and Framar is still learning.

BTW, bot/xbox360, you don't need to post the whole article, just a link with an important quote.

do you think that D-fish will be a starter?

Its possible that he even might start. He will definitely take away minutes from Smush, who isn't doing very good. Fisher will probably start, but will not play major minutes at point, giving time to Framar and Parker also.

[Patr1ck]

He's replacing Kobe in the lineup and Smush Parker will move to the 2 spot.

[Jing]

Goddamnit Fisher is going back to LA, Sun will have a tougher time making it on the 12-man roster. Good move by LA though, though the situation with his daughter probably made the decision a lot easier.

[Sauru]

he should start, he is clearly better than anyone they have a point right now. cant wait til the playoffs come and the lakers behind a great series from fisher knock out utah in 6 round 1.

[Bruce]

Well obviously, he needed to be in a big city, where they can help the rare disease that his daughter has. He'll be a sure help at point, since Smush is starting to suck like he used to and Framar is still learning.

BTW, bot/xbox360, you don't need to post the whole article, just a link with an important quote.

do you think that D-fish will be a starter?

Its possible that he even might start. He will definitely take away minutes from Smush, who isn't doing very good. Fisher will probably start, but will not play major minutes at point, giving time to Framar and Parker also.

That position has been something that we identified as an area where we felt we needed to improve," Kupchak said. "Not a slight to Jordan [Farmar] and our drafted rookie [Javaris Crittenton], who's just 19 years old, but at 19 and 20 years old with limited NBA experience, we're not going to think that they're going to be the ones that can lead the team next year.

I think this means fisher will start. Also, I believe LA has no plans of bringing back smush. that is why Farmar got the starting nod in LA's single round appearance in last season's playoff. Evans looked better as the SG off the bench, so I don't think he will be back as LA's reliever for the two spot.

[NovU]

farmar and fisher at pg?
another weak year at pg position for lakers...
oh yeah they picked up ron harper like sun yue(?)...

still whoever starts i think that is weak

[el badman]

still whoever starts i think that is weak

Clearly.
Fisher is not that good of a passer or ball handler. Probably better than Smush of course but not amazing, and he's not getting any younger.

[Andrew]

Once again I think the Jazz deserve a lot of credit for the way they've handled this situation. That they would give up a solid player by letting him out of his contract and allowing him to sign elsewhere, where he can continue his NBA career and get better care for his daughter shows a lot of class and selflessness.

[[Q]]

Goddamnit Fisher is going back to LA, Sun will have a tougher time making it on the 12-man roster. Good move by LA though, though the situation with his daughter probably made the decision a lot easier.

hopefully Sasha will help Sun and ride the IL for the season.

[Its_asdf]

Fisher is a point guard? I always considered him an undersized two guard with the way that he always plays. I remember reading about how he gave the Warriors and Jazz headaches when he played the point.

[Axel]

I didn't believe the "personal reasons" were the sole cause for Fisher leaving Salt Lake.

He got into an argument with the Jazz owner over his comments about the team during the playoffs. I knew the instant that happened he was gone. Nobody argues with Larry H. Miller.

If it were all about his family he wouldn't have jumped on a contract right after he got released from the Jazz. At the very least he would have signed with a mid atlantic team (where the doctor is located).

For the Lakers... this is desperation really. Probably just trying to smooth things over with Kobe by signing a friend. What good is a 30 + year PG going to be to a team which clearly needs to rebuild yet hasn't even begun to take a step towards rebuilding.

The Lakers need to unload everyone with the exception of Bynum. If not... they will just be like the 76ers were with Iverson a marginal team with no aspirations of advancing in the playoffs.

[Patr1ck]

At the very least he would have signed with a mid atlantic team (where the doctor is located).

There are specialists in Los Angeles, too.

[Andrew]

If it were all about his family he wouldn't have jumped on a contract right after he got released from the Jazz. At the very least he would have signed with a mid atlantic team (where the doctor is located).

As Pdub said there are specialists in Los Angeles as well so returning to the Lakers suits his family's situation as well as his professional career. I was surprised that he signed so quickly though as when news first broke of his release from the Jazz there was even talk of sitting out or retirement. I expected he would deliberate a little longer before signing elsewhere.

I still think the Jazz deserve credit for handling the situation like this. Even if a rift made the parting a little easier from Utah's perspective, Fisher is still a significant enough player for them to have shopped him and tried to get something in return before agreeing to waive him at their own expense.

[McDwyane]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2943997