The point-guard shuffle

Smush Parker? Out.
Jordan Farmar? In.
Javaris Crittenton? In.
Steve Blake? In, perhaps, if the price is right.
Derek Fisher? The most intriguing option of all.

The Lakers introduced Crittenton today and signed him. He will participate in the Las Vegas summer league, beginning this weekend, and he showed off a uniform with a No. 1 on it, although that may or may not be his actual number.

Also, Mitch Kupchak indicated that he would explore the option of bringing back Fisher, who has been freed from his contract with the Utah Jazz. Fisher's daughter has a rare form of eye cancer, and if he's going to continue to play, he wants it to be in a city that can offer his daughter the proper medical attention she requires.

Fisher won't actually be a free agent until July 11, but the Lakers (or another team) could work something out for Fisher before then. They have a $5.5-million mid-level exception available.

Here's some quotes from the day's proceedings.

Kupchak, on the possibility of signing Fisher: ``Yesterday is a new development that will be addressed. We don't know what Derek's intentions are. I have not sat down and addressed the Lakers' needs in regard to Derek. I think he still loves the game and would like to play in the future, but first and foremost he has to address the health of his daughter. Our prayers are with Derek and his family. ... The NBA hasn't given much direction on how this will play out.''

Kupchak, on his rookie-year plays for Crittenton: ``We didn't draft him thinking he would be a lockdown guy for us this year, but you never know. We didn't think Jordan Farmar would play as much as he did last year.''

Crittenton, on his thoughts about joining the Lakers: ``I'm just excited, when I think about all the great players who have played for this organization, from Magic to Kobe. So many great players have come through this organization and I'm happy to be a part of it.''

Crittenton, on what he brings to the Lakers: ``I'm a ball-handling point guard and I think I can get my teammates involved. I can shoot the ball and get to the rim. I'm athletic, and I'm just ready to contribute in any way my coaches need me to.''

Crittenton, on his decision to leave Georgia Tech after one season: ``It was tough when I first started to think about it and sat down with my family. I talked to my coaching staff and got information from the NBA and just prayed about it. I felt like this was the right time for me to come out.''

Crittenton, on meeting Phil Jackson: ``I was just excited meeting him, because that was my first time ever meeting him in person. He's a legend. He coached Michael Jordan and he's coaching Kobe right now. He's a great coach who has won many championships. I'm just excited to meet him.''

Crittenton, on Jackson's reputation for being tough on rookies: ``That's fine with me. He's only going to make me a better player. He's coached some of the greatest athletes and he's only made them better. That's what I'm hoping he can do with me.''

Crittenton, on his experience running the triangle offense in high school: ``I think it will benefit me greatly. I played all four years of high school with the triangle offense. I still remember a lot of the triangle offense. I think it will help me a lot, to step in here with coach Jackson running the triangle offense.''

Crittenton, on preparing for his rookie season: ``I feel like I'm prepared for this. I know I still have a lot of things to learn, but I have a great coach around me, in Phil Jackson, I still have my college coaches in my corner and this great organization to help me become a better player.''