Lakers Rumors: Why L.A. Shouldn't Re-Sign Derek Fisher If Bought out by Rockets
The Los Angeles Lakers need to part ways with long-time point guard Derek Fisher for good, even if he's bought out by the Houston Rockets and has the option to return to them next season.
It's time for the Fisher era to end in L.A.
I know he's a fan favorite and he's had more than his fair share of big moments for the team, but eventually every good thing must come to an end. Fisher has been great for the city and for the Lakers, but nowadays his contributions aren't needed.
The Lakers have moved on to point guard Ramon Sessions, and so far, so good.
Sessions is infinitely younger—25 compared to 37—and he brings the type of point guard play to the court that the Lakers need.
He's quick, shifty and can get into the paint and cause the defense to collapse. This opens up lanes for Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, and it also makes Kobe Bryant's job much easier.
With Fisher in the lineup, Kobe became the default playmaker as far as getting into the paint. Now, Sessions can take care of that, and it frees Kobe up to just score and make plays.
Moving on from Fisher and bringing in a younger, more athletic guard seems to have been a good move for the Lakers, but the saga may not be done yet.
According to Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles, Fisher has yet to show up to the Rockets, which leads to speculation that he is hoping for a buyout and an eventual return to Los Angeles:
"Fisher would normally have 48 hours to report to Houston for a physical for the trade to be completed, however the Lakers and Rockets mutually agreed to extend that deadline to 72 hours, a source with knowledge of the situation told ESPNLosAngeles.com.
The Rockets are expected to buy out the $3.4 million player option for next season that is remaining on Fisher's contract with the Lakers.
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The Lakers should not re-sign Fisher, even if he is bought out and eventually becomes available.
Authors Note: The new CBA would prevent the Lakers from re-signing Fisher until the July after they traded him, so this is more looking at the long-term prognosis.
Enough is enough.
At this point it would just be going back on a principle. They've committed to becoming younger and more athletic, and they've dumped a bunch of salaries in the process, making their long-term future much brighter.
Bringing him back this season would be on thing, but consider the new CBA rule that wouldn't allow him to return to the Lakers until July. At that point, it's just foolish.
Why look back when finally the future is starting to make more sense? All year long, Lakers fans have complained that the team needs to get more athletic in order to truly compete for a few more NBA championships, and they've done so.
There's no reason to turn back at this point.
