Derek Fisher is interested in playing with the New York Knicks because he could be near his ill daughter, the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Wednesday.

But a return to the Los Angeles Lakers is more likely, Fisher's agent, Mark Bartelstein said, the newspaper reported.

Fisher's 11-month-old daughter has been undergoing treatments at a New York hospital for retiniblastoma, a cancerous tumor in her eye.

The Utah Jazz agreed to release Fisher from his contract Monday so he can concentrate on finding the best care for his daughter, Tatum.

Bartelstein spoke to Knicks assistant general manager Glen Grunwald on Tuesday, the Star-Ledger reported.

The chances of Fisher joining the Knicks aren't too good because the team has 17 players under contract and is set at guard, the newspaper reported.

"It's all very preliminary," Bartelstein said, the Star-Ledger reported. "Obviously, Derek would have a lot of interest in New York."

Fisher said tUESDAY he wants to live in one of the six or seven cities being considered for Tatum’s care. He didn’t rule out playing for another NBA team, but emphasized that his daughter’s health is his No. 1 priority.

Fisher played his first eight NBA seasons with the Lakers before signing as a free agent with Golden State after the 2003-04 season. The Warriors later traded him to Utah.

Both Fisher and Kobe Bryant began their careers in 1996, and they were close during their eight years as teammates.

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The Knicks also still consider free agent Ron Artest an option, although it's another remote chance, the newspaper reported. Like new Knick Zach Randolph, Artest has faced run-ins with the law, which might make Knicks management shy away, the Star-Ledger reported.

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