Fisher returning to Lakers, re-teams with Kobe
Guard expected to start after agreeing to 3-year contract
 | Derek Fisher, who turns 33 next month, gives the Lakers a needed veteran ballhandling guard in the starting lineup. |
Douglas C. Pizac / AP |
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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Derek Fisher is coming back to Los Angeles and will rejoin Kobe Bryant in the Lakers backcourt.
They came into the NBA together in 1996, Fisher taken with the Lakers’ 24th draft pick and Bryant obtained in a draft day trade with Charlotte.
Fisher, who turns 33 on Aug. 9, cleared waivers Thursday, and the Lakers scheduled a news conference for Friday to announce his signing. The contract reportedly is a 3-year deal worth about $14 million.
He had asked the Utah Jazz to release him from his contract so he could concentrate on finding the best medical care for his 1-year-old daughter, Tatum, who has cancer in her left eye. The Jazz honored his request.
Fisher played eight years in Los Angeles, including three NBA championship seasons, before signing with Golden State as a free agent after the 2003-04 season. After two seasons with the Warriors, he was traded to Utah.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder averaged 10.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Jazz last season. He has career averages of 8.7 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds.
He made one of the most dramatic shots in Lakers’ history with his desperate “0.4” second shot in the fifth game of the 2001 Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio.
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