July 2010 Archives

Andrew Bynum underwent arthroscopic surgery to mend torn meniscus in his right knee Wednesday. The Lakers said they expect the 7-foot center to be available on a limited basis during training camp and to be fully recovered by the start of the regular season. Training camp begins Sept. 25, with the regular season set to begin in late October. (The schedule will be released next month). David Altchek, Bynum's personal physician, performed the surgery in New York. Bynum was injured during Game 6 of the Lakers' opening-round playoff victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in April. He did not miss a playoff game despite having limited strength in his knee and he averaged 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in 24.4 minutes. He averaged a career-best 15 points on 57 percent shooting in 65 regular-season games. He also averaged 8.3 rebounds in 30.4 minutes.

Kobe Bryant underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week, the Lakers announced today. Reporters asked GM Mitch Kupchak about the possibility that Bryant would have surgery earlier today and Kupchak admitted he didn't know the answer. After investigating, the Lakers learned Bryant did indeed have surgery. It;s the same knee he had drained during the Lakers' first-round playoff victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in April. The team said Bryant should be fully recovered by the start of training camp.

Derek Fisher hasn't spoken publicly since signing a three-season, $10.5 million contract to return to the Lakers earlier this month, but he talked with several reporters for a few minutes during a break this morning at his youth basketball camp in Hawthorne.

Here's some of what he had to say about returning to the Lakers:

"I definitely feel like I made the right decision (to re-sign). Kobe (Bryant) and I worked extremely hard to be in the position we're in, in our careers. He's obviously much more accomplished in his career, but we have a bond I didn't want to break. ... I'm excited about these next three years. I'm excited about what I can accomplish off the court in the next three years, too."

"I guess maybe there was some frustration in how the negotiations were characterized (in the media) more than anything. Most of the time I wasn't overly frustrated (by the slow-moving talks). I guess I was surprised at how much influence you guys (reporters) have. There were things I read that weren't true and there were things I read that were partially true. It had to come from somewhere. I know it wasn't coming from me. So that was a little eye-opening."

"I don't want to say I was frustrated. I don't think that's the right word. I clearly understand that this is a business and they (the Lakers) have a job to do in terms of negotiating contracts and trying to re-sign guys. I fully respect it. For me, it's about bringing that mentality when I show up to work. It's about business. It's not as personal as you might think it is. You have a job to do. For the next three years, I'm ready to do my job the best I can do it. I still have the same goals in terms of helping the team. It's just about winning games."

"The pieces we've been able to add (free agents Matt Barnes, Steve Blake and Theo Ratliff) were key pieces for what we need. I never really enjoyed the process of losing teammates and having new guys come in and then saying we got better because I've been to close to my teammates to say that. ... I do think all three guys plus the two guys we drafted on the second round (Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks), are all going to help us in different ways. ... It's pretty exciting to think about."

Matt Barnes signed tonight with the Lakers. The deal is for $1.77 million next season and then about $2 milion for 2011-12 at his option. He joins Theo Ratliff, who was signed earlier today, and Steve Blake, who put pen to paper, earlier this month. Those three represent a significant upgrade to the Lakers' second unit, which got run off the court far too often last season. About all Mitch Kupchak needs to do now is sign second-round draft picks Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks to complete the Lakers' 13-man roster.

Not a bad summer for Kupchak, who didn't have a lot of money to toss at free agents. He had the mid-level exception of $5.8 million and the veteran's minimum of $1.35 million, and that was it. He used $4 million on Blake and then $1.77 million on Barnes. He gave Ratliff the $1.35 veteran's minimum. The draft picks could come as cheap as a little less than $500,000 apiece next season. They have to make the team to get paid.

So, the Lakers will say goodbye and good luck to Shannon Brown (who is as yet unsigned), Jordan Farmar (who signed a three-season, $12-million deal with the New Jersey Nets), Josh Powell (who is about to sign with the Atlanta Hawks), DJ Mbenga (unsigned) and Adam Morrison (unsigned).

Forward/center Theo Ratliff signed a one-season deal with the Lakers today, giving the team a replacement for Josh Powell, who is about to sign with the Atlanta Hawks. The deal is for $1.3 million for the 15-year veteran who played last season with the San Antonio Spurs and the Charlotte Bobcats. The signing of Ratliff gives the Lakers 10 players under contract. It's possible they could sign forwards Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks, a pair of second-round draft picks, and then add a low-budget guard to fill out the roster.

Or more likely they could land Matt Barnes with the remaining $1.7 million they have left over from the mid-level exception of $5.8 million after signing Steve Blake for $16 million over four seasons earlier this month. Barnes could make his decision Friday.

Ratliff on joining the two-time defending champions: "I've had a very long and a very rewarding career, and joining a storied and legendary franchise such as the Lakers adds an even more special element. I look forward to playing for Coach (Phil) Jackson and with such great players such as Kobe (Bryant), Derek (Fisher), Pau (Gasol), Lamar (Odom), Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum and all my other new teammates, and hopefully to helping the Lakers win a third straight championship."

GM Mitch Kupchak on Ratliff: "Theo has long been considered one of the best defensive big men in the league. He is a consummate professional and a welcome addition to our team. Together with Bynum, Gasol, Odom and Artest, he gives us a formidable and deep front line."

Ratliff averaged 3.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 49 games last season.
To be precise, he signed for $1,352,181, the veteran's minimum for 2010-11.

So, New Orleans point guard Chris Paul has the Lakers listed among his trade-me-to destinations. So, he's fed up with the Hornets' losing ways and wants to join forces with another superstar and try to win a championship. So, here are two big reasons why he's not going to be traded to the two-time defending champion Lakers:

First, Paul is one of those guys who has to have the ball in his hands all the time. He dribbles and drives and passes and handles the ball all the time. He's great at it, no doubt about it. But that's not going to work in the Lakers' offense and there's no way Phil Jackson, who is putting off retirement for one more season to chase one more threepeat, is going to scrap the triangle to allow Paul to play his pick-and-roll game. Can you imagine Kobe Bryant standing off to the side of the court while Paul runs the pick and roll with Pau Gasol about 40 times a game? Ha. Not happening. No way, no how.

Second, Jerry Buss would have to agree to gut the roster in order to acquire Paul, and there's zero chance the Lakers' owner would deal a package of players that might include Lamar Odom and/or Andrew Bynum to complete the trade. That's far too steep a price for one player, albeit one very good player. This is a move the New York Knicks might make, giving them a pick-and-roll combination of Paul and Amare Stoudemire. Trades are always tough to make in the NBA because the salaries must line up in order to complete the deal. The Lakers would be forced to give up too much to get Paul.

The search to fill the last few spots on the roster continues, with the team reportedly in the mix to secure the services of former UCLA standout Matt Barnes. The Lakers are one of five teams who have a shot at Barnes, an Orlando Magic free agent guard, according to ESPN.com. Barnes wrote Monday on Twitter that he was all but signed, sealed and delivered to the Toronto Raptors. A sign-and-trade deal between the Raptors and the Magic evidentally collapsed, however. The Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and the Lakers are among the contenders for Barnes. Toronto also still has a shot, according to the report.

Lamar Odom wasn't feeling fit after the opening day of training camp with Team USA on Tuesday in Las Vegas. "I'm in horrible shape,'' Odom told AOL Fanhouse. "But I'll get in shape ... I took some time off (following the Lakers winning their second straight title). This is my first basketball activity. I boxed and some things like that. But this is the first time I ran up and down the court, and actually had a basketball in my hand.'' Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum skipped the camp and won't play for the U.S. at the World Championships in Turkey next month. Pau Gasol also passed on an invite from his native Spain.

Andrew Bynum will undergo surgery July 28 to mend the torn meniscus in his right knee, the Lakers announced on their website. Bynum suffered the tear during the Lakers' opening-round playoff victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in April. His strength and mobility suffered as did his production, but he did not miss a playoff game as the Lakers went on to win their second consecutive NBA title. He averaged 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in the playoffs, down from his regular-season totals of 15 points and 8.3 rebounds. Bynum's surgery was said to be minor and he is expected to be fit by the start of training camp in late September.

The Lakers went 0-5 during summer league play in Las Vegas, which did nothing to harm the chances of second-round draft picks Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter to make the roster in October. Ebanks averaged 15 points on 42.4 percent shooting with 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in five starts. Caracter also made five starts, averaging 15.4 points on 59.3 percent shooting. He also averaged 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. The Lakers lost to teams representing Detroit, Denver, New York, Sacramento and San Antonio. The teams are made up most of draft picks and free agents and a few veterans. Because they are second-round picks, Ebanks and Caracter don't have guaranteed contracts awaiting them. In fact, even if the rookie forwards sign they will be paid less than $500,000 for next season, which could make them attractive additions to the salary-cap hampered Lakers.

Raja Bell will sign with the Utah Jazz because they can offer more money than the Lakers. Luke Ridnour will sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Shaun Livingston will sign with the Charlotte Bobcats. Javaris Crittenton wasn't ready to play in the summer league after undergoing season-ending foot surgery last winter. So, the Lakers' next best option might be to simply re-sign Shannon Brown to fill the final guard vacancy on their roster. Bell would have provided a veteran presence off the bench. Ridnour could have supplied a sharpshooting option. Livingston and Crittenton would have been feel-good stories. But does anyone remember how high Brown can fly when he's in the open court? Look for a new deal to be struck sooner rather than later as the Lakers' roster takes shape.

Here's what Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein told Yahoo!: "(Lakers general manager) Mitch (Kupchak) and I have been talking and we're getting there on something."

Harry emails to ask "what's the big deal" about the re-signing of Derek Fisher?

Answer: The Lakers have won five NBA titles with Fisher and Kobe Bryant playing the guard positions. Sure, Fisher struggles to guard some of the fast young point guards in the league, but who on this planet can stop Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook or Aaron Brooks with any consistency? Fisher's leadership is what's important to the Lakers. He also has a knack for hitting big shots in big games. Remember, the Lakers believe they can win a third straight title, so losses to Houston or Charlotte during the regular season aren't the end of the world. Fisher has been on the winning team in 33 playoff series, the most of all active players in the NBA. He also has 212 3-pointers in the playoffs, second all-time. That's part of the reason the Lakers wanted him back on their roster for next season.

Blue Bruin asks: Are the Heat allowed to blast through the salary cap and pay the luxury tax like the Lakers are doing?

Answer: No. The Lakers' payroll, which will top $90 million for the second straight season and will above the salary cap of $58 million for 2010-11, are in a different situation than the Heat. The Lakers' payroll is so high largely because they have re-signed their own players to expensive new deals over the last few years. Teams can do this under league rules. The Lakers couldn't go out and sign LeBron James because they couldn't add his salary because they're already over the cap. Does that make sense?
Teams like Miami must shed players and their salaries in order to clear the necessary salary cap space in order to sign players from other teams like LeBron James and Chris Bosh. That's why the Heat traded Michael Beasley and his $5 million salary to the Minnesota Timberwolves, for instance. Miami team president Pat Riley could re-sign his own players, including Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem but he can't offer more than the midlevel exception (about $5.8 million) or the veteran's minimum (about $1.3 million) to free agents from other teams. There's more to it, but those are the basics.

Recently signed point guard Steve Blake met the media today in El Segundo.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak joined him.

Blake's opening remarks: "I want to say I'm extremely excited to be coming to the Lakers. As a player who has won championships at every level except the NBA, I think this is the best place to be. As a point guard, to play with the best player in the world in Kobe Bryant and other players like Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest ... and to play for the best coach, Phil Jackson, so I'm extremely excited. There couldn't be any better opportunity out there for me than to come here. I'm extremely happy Mitch wanted me here. I'm looking forward to playing my role to the best of my ability."

The Lakers still have one open guard spot, so it makes sense they would seek a veteran with the experience of Raja Bell. Here are the top few lines from a story posted on ESPN.com: "The seemingly hard-to-picture prospect of Kobe Bryant and old nemesis Raja Bell playing for the same team remains alive. The longtime rivals will sit down for a face-to-face chat Wednesday in Los Angeles to further discuss the feasibility of the Lakers signing Bell in free agency, sources close to the situation said. Bell is traveling to Los Angeles this week to watch the ESPYs and has arranged to meet with Bryant to hear the Lakers' face of the franchise make yet another recruiting pitch to the 33-year-old swingman."

The story goes on to recount Bryant's feud with Bell during the 2006 playoffs, when Bell clobbered Bryant on a drive to the basket. Bryant and the Lakers squandered a 3-1 series lead to Bell and the Suns. The report also indicates Bryant has phoned Bell several times. Bell could serve as a replacement for free agent Shannon Brown.

If he signs, Bell would join Bryant, Derek Fisher, Steve Blake and Sasha Vujacic in a backcourt that would be far more experienced than the one that helped the Lakers win the last two NBA championships, a scary prospect for league rivals.

Derek Fisher has agreed to return to the Lakers to chase a third consecutive NBA championship and the sixth of his career. He announced the news on his website this afternoon, saying, "I took time to consider all my options, many not reported in the media. I listened to every coach, every general manager, even potential teammates in order to make the right decision. I thank every one of them.

"At the end of the day, there's one person I could not turn away from. Kobe Bryant asked me to stay but supported whatever decision I made. He and I have played together for 11 seasons, came into the league together as kids and has been loyal to me even when others had doubts. We have won five championships together.

"I have decided to continue with Kobe, continue with our teammates and the fans of Los Angeles. While this may not be the most lucrative contract I've been offered this offseason, it is the most valuable. I am confident I will continue to lead this team on and off the court. Let the hunt for six begin."

The deal is for three years and $10.5 million, with the third season a player's option.

Here's what Yahoo! Sports is reporting today:

"A source close to Derek Fisher said he's confident the free-agent guard will re-sign with the Lakers instead of going to the Miami Heat. Fisher reportedly received a $2.5 million offer for next season from the Lakers. He has been seeking a two-year contract with a starting salary closer to the $5 million he made last season. Depending on whether the Heat sign both Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem, they could be in position to offer only the veteran's minimum to Fisher. Fisher visited with the Heat in Miami on Saturday."

This story might have legs. Certainly, this would seem to be the week to get a deal done. I've been told the widely reported Lakers' offer of one year for $2.5 million is inaccurate, as is the Fisher camp's demand of $10 million over two seasons. Still, even if it's a little bit more (say, closer to $3 million for 2010-11), that's a good deal more than the veteran's minimum of $1,352,181 that's mentioned above.

It's official now, Jordan Farmar will sign with the New Jersey Nets once he passes a physical. Here's my story:

"Jordan Farmar and the New Jersey Nets agreed on a three-year contract worth $12 million, the team announced Sunday night. The former Lakers point guard must pass a physical exam in order to complete the deal
.
"Farmar is expected to serve as a backup to Nets starter Devin Harris.

"'He comes to the Nets with a championship pedigree, which will prove to be invaluable to his teammates,' New Jersey team president Rod Thorn said in a press release posted on the Nets' website.

"Thorn also called Farmar 'an excellent complement' to Harris.

"Farmar played four seasons with the Lakers after standout careers at UCLA and Taft High School of Woodland Hills. He averaged 7.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 18 minutes in 82 games last season.

"The Lakers declined to re-sign Farmar, opting instead to sign free agent Steve Blake as a backup to Derek Fisher or a possible replacement if Fisher decides to sign elsewhere. Fisher met with Miami president Pat Riley on Saturday.

"The Heat reportedly made a 'compelling offer' to Fisher, according to an ESPN.com report, but an unnamed source would not elaborate in an interview with the website. Fisher made $5 million last season with the Lakers."

Derek Fisher met with Miami Heat president Pat Riley earlier today and things went well, according to a league source. Fisher returned to Southern California, but the source declined to say whether a contract offer was made to the unrestricted free agent guard. Riley declined to comment. The Heat are expected to sign guard Mike Miller and re-sign forward Udonis Haslem as Riley attempts to surround LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with enough talented and experienced players to make a title run. Fisher has said he would prefer to re-sign with the Lakers. The Lakers also would like to retain the 35-year-old's services, but the side haven't made progress on a new contract.

Miami Heat president Pat Riley has invited Lakers free agent Derek Fisher to South Florida as Riley attempts to surround LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with talented and experienced players. Riley and Fisher are scheduled to meet today in Miami. James, Wade and Bosh give the Heat a high-powered trio of superstars, but the roster still needs more names. Fisher would give the Heat some serious veteran leadership plus a championship background. After all, Fisher has won five titles in seven trips to the Finals with the Lakers. Fisher also has not ruled out a return to the Lakers. Talks between Fisher's agent, Rob Pelinka, and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak are said to be ongoing. In addition to the Heat, the Chicago Bulls, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Jersey Nets are believed to be interested in signing Fisher.

Odds to win the 2010-11 NBA Championship (courtesy Bodog Sportsbook):

Miami Heat 7/4.
Lakers 11/4.
Orlando Magic 10/1.
Boston Celtics 12/1.
Chicago Bulls 15/1.

Personally, I would like to see the rest of the Heat's roster before I bet on them to win anything next season. I mean who's going to get stuck inbounding the ball on this team? Whoever it is, he'll never see the ball again. Just label me dubious.

LeBron James will join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, creating what certainly appears to be a championship contender in Miami. Amare Stoudemire has left Phoenix in favor of New York. Carlos Boozer has left Utah in favor of Chicago. Sense a trend here? Sure, James, Wade and Bosh already played in the Eastern Conference, but the departures of Stoudemire and Boozer strengthen the East and weaken the West.

It doesn't ensure a fourth consecutive trip to the Finals for the two-time defending champion Lakers, but it could make it easier for them. Phoenix gave the Lakers fits in the West finals in May and Utah has been a troublesome playoff foe the last three years. The Suns won't be as tough without Stoudemire and the Jazz won't be as competitive without Boozer, leaving Denver, Oklahoma City and Portland as the teams to beat.

Of the three, OKC could be the biggest pests for the Lakers. Denver's situation with Carmelo Anthony is worrisome for Nuggets fans. Signing him to an extension would solve a great deal of uncertainty. Not signing him could cause problems. Portland's injury problems derailed any chances of a long playoff run last spring. Greg Oden's career could be over before it even starts. As for OKC, the up-and-coming Thunder could prove to be difficult to contend with for seasons to come after giving Kevin Durant an extension.

What about the Dallas Mavericks?

Or the Clippers?

Or the San Antonio Spurs if they sign Shaq?

My prediction: if the Lakers avoid injuries, they should advance to the Finals again.

The Lakers signed Steve Blake to a four-year, $16-million contract today, scratching one item of their offseason to-do list. They still must re-sign Derek Fisher to a new deal and try to lure Shannon Brown back with a new contract after he opted to become a free agent. Today was the first day free agents could sign new contracts. The Lakers and Blake agreed on the deal last Friday. Fisher has returned from China, so it would figure to be only a matter of time before he and the Lakers get a new deal done. I'm guessing that two years and $8 million probably would get Fisher's name on the dotted line. Then again, Fisher's value in big games (See: Game 3 of the Finals) is worth considerably more to the Lakers.

Here's what Bryant told reporters at his camp at UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday:

"We need to have him back, it's as simple as that. It's not a question of if he will be back; it's a matter of when. I don't care what [the cost] is,They need to work that out and get him back because his significance to our ballclub and to me cannot be understated.

"He's our big-shot maker, he complements me in terms of leadership in the locker room because he's the guy that puts his arms around everybody and he's our emotional leader and that allows me to be the taskmaster. We need to get him back and have him be a part of this group and in the fold.

"I'm optimistic that it will happen but we got to get that done."

Derek Fisher wrote on Twitter this afternoon that he's returned from China. Whether he stopped off at the office of Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak on his way home from LAX is anyone's guess. He can sign with the Lakers (or any other team) starting at 9:01 p.m. tonight). I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a while longer before a deal is struck. Our friends at ESPNLos Angeles.com reported Tuesday that Kupchak has been in contact with Fisher's agent, Rob Pelinka, but Kupchak declined to reveal any details. Fisher was in China representing the NBA at the World Expo.

Here are the details from the NBA's press release: "The National Basketball Association today announced that the Salary Cap for the 2010-11 season will be $58.044 million.The tax level for the 2010-11 season has been set at $70.307 million. Any team whose team salary exceeds that figure will pay a $1 tax for each $1 by which it exceeds $70.307 million.

"The 2009-10 Salary Cap was $57.70 million and the tax level was $69.92 million. ...

"The new Salary Cap and tax level go into effect at 9:01 p.m. tonight. ...

"The mid-level exception is $5.765 million for the 2010-11 season."

FYI: The Lakers' payroll was $91.4 milion last season, highest in the league.

Kobe Bryant will skip the World Championships later this summer in Turkey, which should make the Lakers and their fans happy. Bryant told Team USA chairman Jerry Colangelo he plans to rest rather than play. Pau Gasol earlier said he won't play for Spain, wishing to rest after winning back-to-back titles in three straight trips to the NBA Finals. Lamar Odom plans to compete for a spot on the Team USA roster. Bryant said last month he will undergo surgery to mend an injured right index finger. He also had ankle and knee injuries while leading the Lakers to their fifth championship in the 2000s. Colangelo told AOL Fanhouse that Bryant "wanted to play,'' but rest was more important to him.

Here is the Lakers' summer league schedule:

Friday, vs. Detroit, 5 p.m., Cox Pavilion, Nevada Las Vegas.
Saturday vs. Denver, 3 p.m., Cox Pavilion, UNLV.
July 12 vs. New York, 1 p.m., Cox Pavilion, UNLV.
July 13 vs. Sacramento, 5:30 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, UNLV.
July 15, vs. San Antonio, 1 p.m., Cox Pavilion, UNLV.

Here is the roster:

Derrick Caracter, F/C, UTEP, rookie.
Devin Ebanks, F, West Virginia, rookie.
Gerald Green, F. Gulf Shores Academy (Texas), fifth year.
Rob Kurz, F, Notre Dame, second year.
Ibrahim Jaaber, guard, Penn, rookie.
Ben McCauley, F, North Carolina State, rookie.
Andrew Maymick, C, Michigan State, second year.
Frank Robinson, G, Cal State Fullerton, first year.
Tyler Sanborn, C, Guilford College, rookie.
Courtney Sims, C, Michigan, third year.
D.J. Strawberry, G, Maryland, third year.
Coach: Chuck Person.

Guard Steve Blake and the Lakers agreed today on a four-season contract worth $16 million, either providing the team with a capable backup for Derek Fisher or a replacement if they can't work out a new contract. Blake split last season with the Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 7.3 points and 4.8 assists. Funny story: his sister, Debbie, is a producer on a sports talk show in Portland, Ore. She broke the news. The Lakers can't sign Blake until next Thursday. New teammate Ron Artest reacted in typical fashion via Twitter, "Welcome Steve Blake! He's super dope!!!"

Here are some thoughts from Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak about the return of Phil Jackson to coach the team for one more season:

"We're ecstatic to have him back. Normally he takes more time to make the decision, but I think he recognized with free agency and some of our assistant coaches up for other jobs, people needed to know what his future was, so he took some early time to get medical evaluations that might take a week or two.

"I had a dialog with him for three or four days. I felt good about it, but he never committed. So, to get a phone call Wednesday night from him, it was not completely out of the blue, but certainly it felt good to know he was coming back. For the organization, it's a huge plus. In terms of stability and looking for a new coach, that's something you don't have to do. Like I said, I had dialog with him ... talking about assistant coaches, giving updates on our players on prospective players, the assistant coaches with Brian Shaw with the Cleveland (job) opportunity.

"I always felt he was engaged. You can tell if someone's really not going to come back. They're really not engaged in future decisions for an organization. I felt he was engaged and I always felt good about where we were. Most of his decision hinged on medical evaluations, so if he got a call from a doctor, no matter how our conversations were going, he could have done a 180 pretty quick.

"I felt all along this is an opportunity that coaches love to have. This is a team that can continue to compete at a high level for several years. ... I think he's obviously comfortable with the team. He's got a great relationship with the organization. We all work well together. His staff is intact. There won't be any major changes to the team, so I'm not that surprised that this was his decision.

"I don't anticipate any problems (agreeing on a contract). Quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if it's done within a week or sooner. We've had some dialog with his representative today and I don't see any problems. There always could be a problem until you get a signature, but I don't anticipate any problems. The organization and Phil and his representative, it's always been amicable. We've been able to work things out. (Whether this really is his final season) is a question for him. It sounds as if that's what he's decided, but I'm happy to have him back this year and maybe a year from now we're going through the same decision-making process."

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said today he plans to meet with Derek Fisher's agent, Rob Pelinka, as soon as this weekend or perhaps early next week in an attempt to negotiate a new contract for the veteran point guard.

"I think with Derek, we'll sit down," Kupchak said. "I don't think he wants to go anywhere and I don't think we want him to go anywhere. So there's a hope that you sit down and you work something out, and I believe that will happen."

A source close to Fisher indicated numerous media reports were incorrect in reporting that the Lakers had made a one-season, $2.5 million offer to Fisher. No offer has been made, the source said. Fisher has been contacted by several other teams, however.

Kupchak also said he hasn't met face-to-face with any outside free agents and he declined to comment on an Internet story that reported the Lakers were interested in signing free agent shooting guard Mike Miller.

Two weeks after leading the Lakers to a second consecutive NBA championship, Phil Jackson announced today he would return to try to coach the team to a third straight title. He also said it would be his final season as the Lakers' coach.

"Count me in," Jackson said in a statement. "After a couple of weeks of deliberation, it is time to get back to the challenge of putting together another team that can defend its title in the 2010-11 season.It will be the last stand for me, and I hope a grand one."

Jackson said before leaving for his summer home in Montana last week that he was "leaning toward retiring," but reversed course after receiving a clean bill of health from his doctors. Jackson, 64, has had both hips replaced in recent seasons and this season wore a brace on his sore left knee. He also had heart issues several years ago.

"We're extremely pleased that Phil has decided to return," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said of the Hall of Fame coach. "With this most recent championship, we've now won five titles in the 10 years he's been our head coach and have been to the Finals in seven of those 10 years, which is amazing. He's not only the best coach for this team, but quite simply the best coach in the history of the NBA."

Jackson has won a league-record 11 titles as a coach, including six with the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. He also was a member of two championship teams as a player with the New York Knicks in the 1970s. His .705 winning percentage as a coach is the best in league history as are his 225 playoff victories.