<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Derek Fisher is scheduled to clear waivers Thursday at 3 p.m., meaning the Lakers can sign him at 3:01 p.m. if no other team claims him. Fisher agreed in principle last week to return to the Lakers on a three-year contract worth about $14 million. <font size=""3"">Fisher could be claimed by another team willing to award him the three years and almost $21 million left on his contract</font> when Utah agreed to release him earlier this month, although that is considered a slim possibility.</div> Source: LA Times
<div class="quote_poster">YourNewChef Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I bet Pheonix makes an offer, just to piss off the Lakers organization.</div> I was hoping Miami would be the team to steal him away. They need a PG, Fisher was at his best playing with Shaq and with Wade out a month, Fisher could play minutes at SG.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I was hoping Miami would be the team to steal him away. They need a PG, Fisher was at his best playing with Shaq and with Wade out a month, Fisher could play minutes at SG.</div> That's still a ridiculous amount of money for any team to pay Fisher, even for a team that could use him like Miami. It's not like the Heat don't have Jason Williams still under contract either, and with Eddie Jones resigning and Daequan Cook recently inking his rookie deal, they can still be competitive without Wade, considering he's only out for the first month of the season. Anyway, let's see, who are some teams with management worse than the Lakers... the Knicks? Nah, not even Isiah would sign Fisher to that much. The Bulls? Nah, they don't have anymore roster spots. Hmm, I guess he'll be a Laker next season.
<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Anyway, let's see, who are some teams with management worse than the Lakers... the Knicks? Nah, not even Isiah would sign Fisher to that much. The Bulls? Nah, they don't have anymore roster spots. </div> Nah, Otis Smith probably. Hopefully Fisher takes the money and runs. We don't want him here anyways
I dont think that Fisher is going to sign with another team but there will be some offers. I just hope that fisher signs with the Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Bacon Smeller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I dont think that Fisher is going to sign with another team but there will be some offers. I just hope that fisher signs with the Lakers.</div> Why? So opposing point guards can continue burning us on defense?
I'm not a fan of the Lakers signing Fish but I don't think it's as doom-and-gloom as scenario as some of you are making it to be. I think we'll be pretty competitive at the PG spot should he sign (assuming both Farmar and Critt get back-up minutes), both offensively and yes, defensively. What we really need to worry about is our front line. Both Walton and Odom aren't ideal fits for the 3 and 4 and Bynum and Kwame haven't shown they can play starter minutes.
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not a fan of the Lakers signing Fish but I don't think it's as doom-and-gloom as scenario as some of you are making it to be. I think we'll be pretty competitive at the PG spot should he sign (assuming both Farmar and Critt get back-up minutes), both offensively and yes, defensively. What we really need to worry about is our front line. Both Walton and Odom aren't ideal fits for the 3 and 4 and Bynum and Kwame haven't shown they can play starter minutes.</div> I think the Lakers are set at the forward spots with Luke & Odom starting, and a fully recovered Radman and Turiaf off the bench. The backcourt has improved with Fisher and Crittenton, plus Farmar with a year of experience under his belt. This position was a major weakness last year for the Lakers, but Fisher's contract really puts this team in financial difficulty. Signing Radman, Fisher, and extending Cook essentially killed any cap space the team would have had after Kwame's deal expires after this season. Having over $10M to spend in what could be the best free agent group next summer is a huge mis-step by the front office. The key for the Lakers is going to be the center position. This was our second weakest position last season and thus far the Lakers haven't done anything to address the needs of arguably the most important position on any roster. The Lakers are counting 100% on Andrew Bynum to finally breakout and start contributing on a nightly basis. Kwame Brown is pretty much an after thought, but maybe he tries a little harder to fool some team into signing him to a new deal next summer. If neither Bynum or Kwame work out the Lakers might not make the playoffs next year.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> If neither Bynum or Kwame work out the Lakers might not make the playoffs next year.</div> Kwame Brown has never worked out. He's probably going to get injured for another 50 games this season as well. We will also hear the same excuse for Andrew Bynum, he's still too young, he needs time blah blah blah. We have a legitimate chance of not even making the playoffs this season, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we missed the playoffs because we haven't really done anything to improve our roster. I heard that Phil Jackson's number one priority this offseason was to get us a defensive minded point guard. What does the front office do? Sign Derek Fisher, who is no better than Smush Parker defensively. Don't believe me? Go watch some of the old Laker games, and you'll see Fisher getting burned left and right. If we miss the playoffs (which is a huge possibility), Kobe Bryant will demand another trade. The Lakers won't trade Kobe for whatever reason, and he'll end up opting out and leaving us with nothing Optimism Laker fans
No other team is stupid enough to offer him the money that Mitch is. Utah has to be happy to get him off their payroll.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Lakers are set at the forward spots with Luke & Odom starting, and a fully recovered Radman and Turiaf off the bench. The backcourt has improved with Fisher and Crittenton, plus Farmar with a year of experience under his belt. This position was a major weakness last year for the Lakers, but Fisher's contract really puts this team in financial difficulty. Signing Radman, Fisher, and extending Cook essentially killed any cap space the team would have had after Kwame's deal expires after this season. Having over $10M to spend in what could be the best free agent group next summer is a huge mis-step by the front office. The key for the Lakers is going to be the center position. This was our second weakest position last season and thus far the Lakers haven't done anything to address the needs of arguably the most important position on any roster. The Lakers are counting 100% on Andrew Bynum to finally breakout and start contributing on a nightly basis. Kwame Brown is pretty much an after thought, but maybe he tries a little harder to fool some team into signing him to a new deal next summer. If neither Bynum or Kwame work out the Lakers might not make the playoffs next year.</div> The problem with Odom and Walton is that neither of them is durable. Walton has never played more than 72 games, and that was in his rookie season, when he played only 10 minutes per game. Odom, probably because he's asked to do too much, is also highly injury prone. Take either of them out of the equation and the Lakers are unequivocally an under .500 team. What the Lakers should have done is added an above-the-rim athletic forward to the roster who could have played major minutes should our starters get injured. Both Vlad and Ronnie are unathletic and neither can fill in convincingly in case of injury. I agree that the Fisher deal is terrible financially, but I do think he's a good fit for the roster and not as bad defensively as some think. Both he and Crittenton have certainly shored up the PG spot. I also agree that largely because of the center position, the Lakers are unlikely to make the playoffs next year. Honestly, though, I'm not sure the playoffs are so worthwhile anyway. This roster has no chance of getting past the first round should they even get there.
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with Odom and Walton is that neither of them is durable. Walton has never played more than 72 games, and that was in his rookie season, when he played only 10 minutes per game. Odom, probably because he's asked to do too much, is also highly injury prone. Take either of them out of the equation and the Lakers are unequivocally an under .500 team. What the Lakers should have done is added an above-the-rim athletic forward to the roster who could have played major minutes should our starters get injured. Both Vlad and Ronnie are unathletic and neither can fill in convincingly in case of injury. I agree that the Fisher deal is terrible financially, but I do think he's a good fit for the roster and not as bad defensively as some think. Both he and Crittenton have certainly shored up the PG spot. I also agree that largely because of the center position, the Lakers are unlikely to make the playoffs next year. Honestly, though, I'm not sure the playoffs are so worthwhile anyway. This roster has no chance of getting past the first round should they even get there.</div> Injuries are always the great equalizer, and you're right, neither Odom or Walton have proven to be durable. If we lose our 2nd or 3rd best player for a long stretch of games it will take another Kobe Bryant 40+ PPG scoring bonanza to keep the team competitive. I agree, the Lakers do need another athletic player at forward, preferably one who can play defense. Here's a few names still available via free agency. Mickael Pietrus, Ruben Patterson, Derek Anderson, Jarvis Hayes, James Singleton, Dahntay Jones, Hassan Adams, Matt Barnes, DerMarr Johnson, Jumaine Jones, and Ime Udoka I'd like to go after Udoka, but I don't think we can afford him anymore. I also wouldn't mind Jumaine Jones back in the P&G.
Shape, even at full strength, we'll struggle to make the playoffs. The west has gotten better and we've stayed the same...Fisher doesn't make us any better. I'd consider taking Smush over Fisher, the only clear intangible that Fisher brings over Smush is his attitude and leadership. I mean, c'mon, Smush had every right to be pissed about his pay...but he went with it the wrong way. I expect the Lakers to struggle to make the playoffs this year, and if they do make it, I don't see much success. Kobe gone next offseason? I think that's a major possibility.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Shape, even at full strength, we'll struggle to make the playoffs. The west has gotten better and we've stayed the same...Fisher doesn't make us any better. I'd consider taking Smush over Fisher, the only clear intangible that Fisher brings over Smush is his attitude and leadership. I mean, c'mon, Smush had every right to be pissed about his pay...but he went with it the wrong way. I expect the Lakers to struggle to make the playoffs this year, and if they do make it, I don't see much success. Kobe gone next offseason? I think that's a major possibility.</div> I agree, at full strength we are still going to struggle to make the playoffs. Last year we only finished 2 games over .500, despite another Kobe Bryant MVP caliber season. We had a lot of injuries, but so did teams right beneath us, Clippers and Hornets. This year we have to deal with them improving and staying healthy, in addition to an upcoming team like Portland and possibly Memphis if Darko works out.
