<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Cavaliers never got into the bidding for Seattle SuperSonics free agent shooting guard Brent Barry as some speculated. Barry, 32, really wanted to stay in the Western Conference, and it appears he will. Sources report the Houston Rockets have offered Barry a $24 million deal over four years. That was longer than the Cavaliers would have wanted to commit to. Sources say the Sonics have targeted Los Angeles Lakers free agent Derek Fisher to replace him.</div> <font size="1">From HoopsHype rumours page courtesy of Brian Windhorst the Akron Beacon Journal.</font> If this is true I will be very, very happy. Fisher wants to go to Houston, so if Barry goes it makes sense that he won't. The sort of guy that is tough, plays tight defense, hits the open shot and is a really good leadership guy to have around, both on the court and off. It would also, if necessary, allow the Sonics to use Daniels as a trade incentive (don't get me wrong, I love AD to death) without exposing Luke Ridnour and Flip Murray at the point at this early stage of their respective careers.
I would be happy to see Fisher putting on a Sonics jersey. Though losing Barry will be a sad thing but if we can get Fisher then we have at least a player to fill starting PG spot until Luke is ready to take starting PG spot.
I'm a bit apprehensive of adding a guy who has played the triangle for his entire career. Would he really be that much of a playmaker outside of LA? Time will tell, I guess...
It would definitely help soothe the loss of Barry. The Sonics need a veteran to lead the team, and Fisher could fit the bill. I do think either Flip or Antonio would need to be traded if Fisher was signed, though, because Ridnour will need minutes this year to continue his growth.
Good pickup if it does happen. Ultimately insignificant though, until we get ourselves a frontcourt..
Derek Fisher has had the benefit of playing w/ superstars his entire career. He hasn't had to be a playmaker and if the Sonics were to add a point guard I would prefer that he be someone who could consistently take his man off of the dribble in the half court. Derek Fisher is a proven winner and would probably help the Sonics immensely on the court and in the locker room. If he comes relatively cheap I would definitely want him, but pairing him in the backcourt w/ Flip could result in defensive breakdowns. (Flip is better suited guarding point guards than he is two guards).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Derek Fisher has had the benefit of playing w/ superstars his entire career. He hasn't had to be a playmaker and if the Sonics were to add a point guard I would prefer that he be someone who could consistently take his man off of the dribble in the half court. Derek Fisher is a proven winner and would probably help the Sonics immensely on the court and in the locker room. If he comes relatively cheap I would definitely want him, but pairing him in the backcourt w/ Flip could result in defensive breakdowns. (Flip is better suited guarding point guards than he is two guards).</div> I agree, I was talking in the perspective of losing Barry is going to leave a dent in terms of a leadership presence. With such a young core now, a guy like Fisher I think would be tremendous in the sense that he has been around a winning organisation his entire career, and would probably even help Nate out with his coaching. In terms of a player, I would only sign him if it was cheap, and wouldn't be signing him as a starting point guard to play 30 minutes a game. More as a guy who can play 20 minutes a game, maybe more in bigger games, but assist the development of guys like Ridnour, Murray and Collison in the future.
Derek Fisher would be a great pickup...one could argue he is a better mentor to younger guards than Brent just on playoff/championship experience alone. This could actually turn out to be an upgrade if we get him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Free agent point guard Derek Fisher visited with the Seattle SuperSonics on Monday, though it did not seem probable that Fisher procured a contract offer. Fisher, who has spent the past eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, flew into Seattle on Sunday night, spent the day Monday with Sonics management and then had dinner with various members of the organization Monday night. The Sonics have said they want to add a perimeter defender, and with Bruce Bowen and Stephen Jackson gone in free agency, Fisher remains the top free agent available. The Sonics are able to offer all or part of their mid-level exception, which should be about $5.4 million. Fisher likely is seeking all of that, though there is some question whether the Sonics want to spend their entire exception on one player. One possibility, according to a team source, is trading Antonio Daniels, who is said to be the object of interest because of his relatively inexpensive $2 million salary. If Daniels is traded, it could free up money for Fisher. If not, adding Fisher presents a problem in that he would be the fifth guard on a team that had too many guards last season.</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of Frank Hughes and the News Tribune.</font> That pretty much sums it up, Fisher would be great if AD isn't around. How about offering Daniels as a sweetener with Radmanovic to get Wilcox from the Clips? LA need an experienced point guard, he would be an enticing option to man the position while they develop Livingston.
nooo I hope Fisher doesnt go to Seattle. He is a great bench player for the Lakers and I hope he stayz in LA. If Rudy is smart he will bench Payton. If Fisher leaves the Lakers will suck even more...
I am reading that Derek is choosing between Seattle, Miami and Houston. Unless he has ties to the area, one would think he would rather go to the Rockets or the Heat with Shaq, considering both figure to be title contenders. Particularly Houston where Fish would likely get a starting gig. Then again, stranger things have happened, he might like the chance to work in a leadership role with a young team, having enjoyed so much success in recent times.
Well Golden State have signed him to a six year, 37 million dollar deal. If that's what it took to get him, I am glad we weren't in the race.
Now that our one targeted free agent has decided to go in another direction, who will be trying to throw our mid level exception at next? Isaiah Rider?
I think history will show that it was a good move to stand pat in this off-season... Keep in mind we are yet to see the nucleus of Allen, Murray, Collison, Lewis, Ridnour et al on the court at the one time. I'd like to have a look at how those guys mesh, and make trades earlier in the season if anything. At the moment, Radman appears to be the odd man out (pending Olympics). Despite what we think about the head office's lack of action on any level this off-season, I doubt they'll let the team continue the end of last season's form.
