After Fisher was traded to the Houston Rockets, he was bought out of his contract and signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the remainder of the season.
The veteran point guard will be a free agent at season's end and he'll have to make a choice about where he'll go to continue his career.
If it's up to Bryant, Fisher will come back to the Lakers.
Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com reports that Bryant is "planning a hard push to recruit Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom back to the Lakers as free agents this summer."
Although Howard-Cooper writes that it's "unclear" if either would be receptive to the idea, each is known to love Los Angeles and would likely be amenable to the idea of returning to the Lakers.
Specifically, Fisher would likely love to finish his career alongside Bryant wearing a Lakers uniform.
Here is part of the statement Fisher gave to the media before Thursday's game against the Lakers (via John Rohde of the Oklahoman).
“Like I said last week, the place that this city and these fans and everyone I grew close to over the years, they and this place will always, always hold a very special place in my heart."
That doesn't sound like a man who would rule out a possible return to the team following this season.
The problem with having Fisher on the Lakers' roster at this time can be traced back to two things: an obvious need for an upgrade at starting point guard as well as Fisher's contract situation.
Now that he won't be making north of $3 million next season and the Lakers have amassed increase financial flexibility moving forward following the trade deadline, it's entirely possible Fisher could return to the Lakers in a lesser role.
Mitch Kupchak would be wise to pick up that ph...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
