DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks waived Derek Fisher on Saturday at the request of the veteran guard, who said he was having a difficult time being away from his family in Los Angeles.
The Mavericks announced the move four days after the 38-year-old Fisher strained a tendon in his right knee in a game against Philadelphia.
Fisher, a 16-year veteran who won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, was a free agent when the Mavericks signed him because of injuries, a lack of depth and spotty play at point guard.
He started his first game with Dallas a day after his first practice and averaged 8.6 points and 3.6 assists in nine games.
In a statement, Fisher said the recovery time on the knee strain would be about two weeks, and he wanted to return home. Fisher thanked Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for granting the request.
“I have made decisions in the past, leaving money and opportunity on the table, and I will need to do that again,” Fisher said. “My family is my priority and that is where I choose to be.”
Darren Collison started the first 16 games at point guard before Dallas signed Fisher. Dominique Jones had a season high in minutes the past two games, topped by 32 in Friday’s 92-82 loss to Memphis. Jones tied his career high with 13 points against the Grizzlies.
Rodrigue Beaubois is the third point guard for Dallas.
Point guard was one of the biggest questions for the Mavericks entering the season after Deron Williams chose to stay with the Brooklyn Nets and Jason Kidd signed with the New York Knicks after saying he planned to rejoin Dallas. Kidd helped lead the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title.
