Derek Fisher Makes Oklahoma City Debut Wednesday After Signing With Thunder

Fisher’s statement to SI was pretty much exactly what one would expect when trying to guess how the leader of the National Basketball Player’s Association would assess such a situation. The 37-year-old addressed the reason he signed with the Thunder over “several” other teams that were interested: his projected role on the team, his surprise that he was traded and even a mention of the special front office in Oklahoma City.

When he got to looking at the past, however, there was no mention of the Lakers’ front office -- nothing of the Buss family, who employed him and nothing regarding the front office, who helped put Fisher in position to win five NBA championships. Instead, he thanked his former teammates and said he’s ready to see his old team on the court (and likely in the playoffs).

Fisher will clear waives on Wednesday, and according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, an agreement with the Thunder is expected soon after the deadline for any other teams interested in claiming his contract.

Check out more professional basketball news and analysis from around the league over at SB Nation’s NBA page.

The veteran point guard won’t be able to return to the Lakers due to new wording in the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, but there are quite a few teams that are interested in signing the experienced point guard who has quite a bit of NBA playoff experience.

Stein reports that Fisher has no plans to retire, meaning there’s a good chance he joins up with one of those teams once he’s able to clear waivers on Wednesday afternoon.

Before you even ask, the answer is “no.” Fisher cannot be re-signed by the Lakers, thanks to a rule in the new collective bargaining agreement barring players from returning to their old teams following a buyout. He had been seeing significantly reduced minutes in L.A. anyway, averaging just 5.9 points per game.

Fisher still carries a championship pedigree, however, and will likely look to latch onto a contender if he can. He has a $3.4 million option for 2012-13 on his contract.

Fisher, 37, is averaging just 5.9 points per game in reduced minutes this season. Hill is a former first-round pick in 2009 that has fallen out of favor in Houston.

For more on the Lakers, visit Silver Screen and Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles. For more on the Rockets, visit The Dream Shake and SB Nation Houston.

Walton has essentially been a non-factor for at least three seasons and has played in just nine games this year. The same thing can be said for Eyanga, who was a first-round pick in 2009. Eyanga has played in just six games.

For more on the trade, be sure to check out Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll and Cavaliers blog Fear the Sword.