Lakers Rumors: Bringing Derek Fisher Back to Los Angeles Makes No Sense

How many 38-year-old point guards does one NBA team need?

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to move either Chris Duhon or Steve Blake, which could lead to a Derek Fisher signing down the road:

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Yet sources with knowledge of the Lakers' thinking say that the team is already trying to create a backcourt opening, having made it clear to the rest of the league that Chris Duhon and Steve Blake are available via trade to any interested party willing to absorb one of those contracts.

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Here's the excerpt regarding Fisher's status:

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It's not feasible for the Lakers to bring back Fisher now, because league rules preclude them from signing a player traded away and then waived (in this case by Houston) for one year after the original deal. Which means March 15, 2013, is the earliest Fisher could legally re-sign with L.A.

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This idea isn't surprising, but that doesn't mean it makes sense. Moving Duhon and/or Blake to make the luxury tax more manageable makes sense. Adding another aging point guard doesn't.

Fisher just doesn't have it anymore. He's still an amazing leader, but the Lakers have plenty of leadership on this current squad.

On the court, he's slow and not the same offensive presence he once was. Last year with Oklahoma City, he turned in one of the worst shooting seasons of his 16-year career.

Fisher would essentially be like adding another coach at this point. Maybe he could mentor young point guard Darius Morris, but he doesn't bring much else to the fold.

Allowing Morris to play might sound scary to some Lakers fans. He tends to overdribble, getting himself in trouble sometimes, but he also provides a solid change of pace off the bench.

Bringing Fisher off the bench for Nash wouldn't allow the Lakers to change tempo at all. If anything, it would slow the second unit down.

Surrounding Morris with veterans off the bench would hide some of his immaturity, while still taking advantage of his speed and athleticism. He would make the team more versatile as well.

Fisher will always be a consideration for the Lakers, as long as he maintains the will to play. He's won five NBA titles, giving him irreplaceable leadership qualities, but he's not a fit on this current squad.

Carrying four point guards doesn't make sense. Trading Blake or Duhon just to add another doesn't either.