ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that Fisher is eligible to re-sign with the Lakers, despite speculation that the new collective bargaining agreement did not permit this. Stein also notes that Los Angeles would have to clear space on both the roster and the payroll in order to bring him back and is attempting to trade Duhon and Blake in order to do so.
There have not been any detailed rumors about who Mitch Kupchak and the L.A. front office might be targeting, but fans can only hope that a point guard who can play defense would be involved in any trade that involves Blake and Duhon.
Currently, Duhon is the only PG on the Lakers roster who is not a defensive liability. ESPN’s John Hollinger (Insider account needed) writes:
He retains some value on defense, with decent lateral movement and technique and the advantage of experience. Synergy rated him above average last season, and the Magic gave up 5.1 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court.
Starter Steve Nash has better vision than any player in the NBA and will certainly dish out spectacular assists on a regular basis, but his defense has been mediocre at best for much of his career.
Blake, like Nash, is not an especially quick player and his defense suffers because of this. He and Fisher struggled last season to guard the talented floor general that are scattered across the Western Conference.
Duhon, while not a spectacular defender, is at least adequate. Lakers fans will not be cringing when Chris Paul or Tony Parker is bringing the ball up the court and Duhon is waiting on the other end of the floor.
This was certainly the case last season when Blake or Fisher was in the lineup, as po...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
