Derek Fisher was one of the veteran players waiting to get picked up during the first couple months of the season before he was signed by the Dallas Mavericks. However after spending a couple of weeks with the team, Fisher decided that his family was more important to him. Read more after the jump.
Fisher asked to be released by the team and they granted his wish.
In a statement he issued Saturday night to confirm the move, Fisher said: “In Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia, I suffered an injury to my patellar tendon. The recovery time will be approximately two weeks. With this news and the difficulty I have been having being away from my family, I have asked the organization to waive me so I can return home.
“(Mavericks owner) Mark Cuban has been extremely supportive and has granted me this request. I cannot say enough good things about this organization. From Mark, to Coach (Rick) Carlisle, to the players on the Mavericks’ team, I sincerely thank them for the opportunity.
“I have made decisions in the past, leaving money and opportunity on the table, and I will need to do that again. My family is my priority and that is where I choose to be. I won’t close the possibility that I will play again, however for now my family and being close to them remains the priority.”
Fisher averaged 8.6 points, and 3.6 assists in nine games with the Mavericks, while playing over 25 minutes per game. Dallas is expected to call up Chris Douglas-Roberts from the D-League to replace Fisher on the team’s roster.
Seems like Fisher is done for the season but he could return in time for the playoffs and possibly get picked up by a contender.
