Fisher finds facing Lakers fun

DraftExpress.com also reported that undrafted forward Roger Powell Jr.'s contract, known to be partially guaranteed, includes a previously unreported $125,000 in guaranteed salary for the coming season.

First-rounder Ronnie Brewer, meanwhile, received 20 percent above slotted scale for the draft's No. 14 overall selection, as permitted and expected. That means his first-year pay on a guaranteed two-year contract will be $1,595,400.

ALUMNI UPDATE: The Jazz's Tuesday exhibition in Fresno marked a visit to the hometown of 2000 Utah first-round pick DeShawn Stevenson, who spurned a three-year, $10 million offer to re-sign with Orlando last summer and instead agreed a one-year, minimum-scale contract with the Wizards worth just $932,015.

The blunder by Stevenson, who had offseason knee surgery, and since-fired agent Rob Pelinka looks like Washington's windfall.

"We got him for pennies," Wizards star Gilbert Arenas told the Washington Times. "You get a guy who is a starter who can give you 10 to 15 points on any night, and you get him for nothing. It's our gain."

Stevenson, for his part, is seemingly taking the financial loss in stride.

"I know what they expect of me, and whether I'm starting or coming off the bench — I've been in the league for seven years, and I've learned some things about this game — helping the team is really all that matters," he said.

"I want to come in, and basically be a defensive stopper," Stevenson added. "I just want to bring a lot of toughness to the court and go out there and try to be a beast. ... I took that challenge in Orlando, so I'm used to it, and I'm happy with that role."

LAKERLAND: As expected, Lakers star Kobe Bryant did not play Tuesday due to ongoing recovery from offseason knee surgery. When he does return, Bryant will wear uniform No. 24 instead of his usual No. 8.

Reasons for the switch, according to the Los Angeles Times: "Bryant says he wore No. 24 in his first year of high school ball, and that it also represents maximizing every hour of every day."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com