From Deseret News archives:

Paging Derek Fisher . . .

Published: Saturday, July 15, 2006 10:43 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
The deadline for doing so remains a ways away, but Derek Fisher still hasn't reported for a physical exam to complete the trade of the veteran guard from Golden State to the Jazz.

In the five days since the deal was formally announced, Fisher hasn't spoken with Utah media, either — despite repeated requests through intermediaries including his agent's office and the team.

And his initial reaction to news of the swap, made to a California newspaper, made it seem he wasn't exactly thrilled.

Franchise officials, however, aren't worried.

"We traded for him, and we received his contract, and we expect him to report," Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor said.

O'Connor took the somewhat extraordinary step of traveling to California to meet with Fisher earlier this month, after the trade had been agreed to but before league rules permitted it to be made official.

There, the Jazz's basketball boss said he "presented our case."

"He's a veteran," O'Connor said of Fisher, who played eight seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers before spending the past two with the Warriors. "I felt like we should explain what we wanted him for, what we expected of him, and everything else.

"It makes common sense to go visit a guy."

Story continues below
Asked what vibes he got from Fisher, O'Connor said the two "had a good conversation" — details of which he preferred to keep private.

Last week, however, Jazz owner Larry H. Miller shed light on the discussion, saying Fisher told O'Connor, "I don't have anything against you guys," but that he was "pretty sure I was going someplace else" and "had my heart set on a couple of places."

Still, O'Connor said Saturday, "there have been no indications" that Fisher will do anything but report.

One good reason he should: Fisher has four years and $26.46 million remaining on his current contract, and no contractual rights to have the trade rescinded.

O'Connor said Fisher has been given up to two weeks from the date of the July 12 trade to take his physical — much more time than would be permitted had the exchange been made during the season.

His more-pressing concerns, O'Connor said, are watching ongoing Rocky Mountain Revue summer-league play and getting a signature from big man Jarron Collins, who agreed to terms on a new contract last Thursday.

KEEPERS? All three players the Jazz sent to Golden State for Fisher — Keith McLeod, Devin Brown and Andre Owens — may get a shot to stick with the Warriors.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

watch out for next year for sure, the negatives are just closet (and...

And something else, I generally follow players from the state schools when...

I could care less that Max Hall said what he did. The feeling is mutual BYU...

BYU is champion of the state

Dear Max, probably could have done without that comment. Probably would've...

Hall mouths off about hate of Utah

As a Utah fan, let me first say congratulations to Max Hall, the Cougars, and...

Geno's and Pat's are good.. but, they are mostly for tourists, the real...

Hall mouths off about hate of Utah

(You even got a middle initial... how's that for 'ya Max) It's nice to see...

Air Up There, The

Even today, I still cannot get enough of this movie or Charles Gitonga Maina....

Cougars beat Utes in overtime

...disappointed with Max Hall's comments that he hates everything about UofU....

Over the last few days I read comments of people complaining about tasteless...

Advertisements