Report: Rockets Could Orchestrate Buyout For Derek Fisher

The Houston Rockets were the least experienced team in the NBA yesterday morning. They’ve since changed that by adding the aging Marcus Camby and Derek Fisher — but wait, not so fast. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle says Fisher may be bought out.

Morey will not address Derek Fisher. Expect buyout.

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Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 16, 2012

Unloading Fisher would make sense — the Rockets already have a solid starting point guard in Kyle Lowry, who should return within a couple weeks from the bacterial infection that’s sidelined him, plus a decent backup in Goran Dragic. Feigen also reports that the Rockets have reached out to Anthony Carter’s agent, hoping to add even further backcourt depth. Fisher appears to be the odd man out.

It’s worth noting that March 23 is the deadline for a bought-out player to catch on with another team and be eligible for the playoffs — so if Fisher wants to leave Houston, expect him to do so soon. Also of note: According to the new CBA (which ironically Fisher helped write), he can’t return to the Los Angeles Lakers until free agency begins on July 1.

The Lakers traded Fisher yesterday, along with a future first-round draft pick, to the Rockets for Jordan Hill. Fisher had started 43 games in L.A. this season, averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 assists.