Mavs Release Derek Fisher

By the request of their newly acquired point guard, the Mavericks have released Derek Fisher from his contract.  On Saturday night, 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.” 
 
“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,” said Fisher.
 
In the ’06-’07 season, Fisher terminated his contract with the Utah Jazz in order to take care of his daughter, but eventually reunited with the Lakers for another 5 years. 

But this feels different.
 
While Fisher hasn’t ruled out returning to the NBA, this seems to be the end of the road for the long traveled NBA journeyman out of a little school called Arkansas-Little Rock.  The NBA Hall of Fame might not be knocking on Fisher's door in the near future, but the five-time NBA champion has had a storied NBA career on and off the court.