The Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to make some moves next summer. With only two guaranteed contracts on the books, the summer of 2014 will consist of adding at least one big-named free agent to the roster. While Kobe Bryant is also assumed to be returning for another run with the Lakers, the All-Star would love if Derek Fisher was one of the free agents signed by the team.
Currently set to play on a one-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, it is assumed that Fisher will retire at the end of the upcoming season. However, Bryant would love for the NBA veteran and former Lakers star to give the league a few more years and return to Los Angeles.
"My all time favorite teammate has always been Derek Fisher," Kobe said, according to ProBasketballTalk's Kurt Helin. "He's been my favorite teammate, I would love to see him back in a Lakers uniform so we could kind of finish out together."
Every championship ring Bryant has, Fisher has the same exact one. The two players entered the league at the same time and were teammates for 12 seasons so Bryant's request only appears natural. Fisher is one of the greatest role players in the league and was a master at Phil Jackson's offense, but as he approaches 40, Fisher has not looked the same in years. He has not shot 40 percent from the field in the last four seasons. His defense has become a slight struggle.
The Lakers are showing no signs of targeting any veterans next summer. While Bryant's words are heard, the Lakers are likely not to bite. Los Angeles wants young stars and they will have a hard time bringing anyone to the team if they have two aging veterans like Fisher and Bryant on the roster. Of course everyone wants to play with Bryant, but Fisher makes things a hard sell. Bryant recognizes that age is slowly becoming an issue. In an attempt to stay healthy, he has changed his workout and diet routine.
"The hardest part about getting older when you play in the NBA is not the training, because you're so used to training for so many years, the hardest part is being able to change your diet," Bryant said, via NBC Sports. "You've been accustomed to eating crap food your entire life, now you have to have a determination, an inner struggle with yourself, to put that stuff to the side and start eating healthy again. I made the change about three, three-and-a-half years ago."
Bryant may not get his request of Fisher next summer, but the Lakers will land a super star to play next to the All-Star for his final few years in the league. Fisher will instead retire as one of the greats.