Dallas Mavericks to Sign Derek Fisher

Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle announced that veteran point guard Derek Fisher will be joining Dallas, effective today. Fish may end up playing an unexpectedly large role in Dallas, according to the Star-Telegram: “For that sole purpose, the Dallas Mavericks had little choice but to go out and seek Fisher’s services. Particularly since the Mavs point guard situation has been so unstable this season. Fisher can possibly provide some stability at point guard. He is a savvy veteran who knows how to win and knows how to breed championships. But the fact that the Mavs had to reach out to a 38-year old who isn’t even in the league at this time is very telling. Plus, it should send a strong message to Darren Collison, Dominique Jones, Rodrigue Beaubois and Jared Cunningham. And that message is that the heirarchy in the Mavs’ organizatioh are not pleased with the way this team”s offense has been quarterbacked. Thus, Fisher will eventually move into the starting point guard slot, while Collison will be his backup and learn from one of the game’s most fierce competitors. Even Collison saw that handwriting on the wall when he found out the Mavs were about to acquire Fisher. […] The addition of Fisher will signal the end of one the Mavs players’ stay in Dallas, because that will give them 16 players, which is one over the NBA maximum. It’s anybody’s guess as to who will be shown the door, considering everyone on this team from guards, forwards and centers have been inconsistent this season. Meanwhile, Fishe’rs acqusition can’t come soon enough for the Mavs, who looked totally out of sorts on offense. ‘We need help at the point guard position and, to that end, I might as well announce we’re going to sign Derek Fisher tomorrow, pending a physical,’ Carlisle said after the team’s 101-78 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. ‘I think he can really help our situation with experience, defensively and really all areas of the game.'”