One of the biggest surprises of the NBA trade deadline last year was the Los Angeles Lakers trading five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jordan Hill.
As a result of the trade, Fisher agreed to a buyout with the Houston Rockets and became a free agent. Shortly after, Fisher agreed to terms with the Oklahoma City Thunder to play behind starter Russell Westbrook.
Upon losing to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, Fisher became a free agent once again with an uncertain future ahead of him. There was talk of Fisher returning to the Lakers, but won't be able to sign with the team again until March 15, 2013 due to the rules in the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement).
Apparently, the search for a new team isn't going all that well for Fisher according to Sam Amick of SI.com:
"Fisher, according to a source close to him, turned down an opportunity to join Chicago before the Bulls signed Nate Robinson to back up Kirk Hinrich. But he now finds himself in a similar situation to Martin.
"Does he sign on with a non-contender (say, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Cleveland or Charlotte) for the minimum, or wait it out until mid- or late-season and jump on someone's championship-bound train? And if the ideal situation never arises, is there a chance the 38-year-old calls it a career and retires? We shall see."
It seems as though retirement may be drawing near for the veteran point guard, but the window of opportunity isn't closed yet as there remains a chance he'll land with a new team before next season.
A return to the Lakers is highly unlikely, but possibly not out of the question if he remains unsigned and hasn't officially retired heading towards March of next year.
