|
|
|
Friday, June 29, 2001
Lakers trade for Hunter with Fisher on shelf
Associated Press
|
| |  | |
| Fisher |
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Mark Madsen of the Los Angeles Lakers
will have surgery next week on a torn ligament in his left wrist, joining injured guard Derek Fisher on the list of players expected out 4-to-6 months.
It was discovered on Thursday that Fisher has broken his
right foot for the second time in a year, prompting the two-time
NBA champions to acquire guard Lindsey Hunter
from the Milwaukee
Bucks for backup center Greg Foster.
On Friday, the Lakers announced that Madsen will need surgery after having injured his wrist in preseason workouts last year. He was able to play but
was able to play throughout the season despite some pain, Lakers spokesperson John Black
said.
"We had another test done which determined the severity of
it," Black said. "It's a risk if he were to land awkwardly on
it."
Madsen averaged 2.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in 70 games last
season.
Fisher also may have surgery next week for the same injury that
caused him to miss the first 62 games of the season before
returning to help the Lakers win a second straight NBA
championship.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Fisher's injury and
the unlikely return of 37-year-old guard Ron Harper hastened the
need for a backcourt addition.
"We'll figure out a way to get through it all and hopefully
Lindsay will help us," Kupchak said. "My guess is (Fisher) will
be back as strong as ever."
Hunter had a disappointing playoffs for the Bucks, shooting just
15 percent from 3-point range and 24 percent overall, as Milwaukee
finished one victory short of advancing to the NBA Finals.
"He got injured prior to the playoffs with his groin and never
got his confidence back," Kupchak said. "Historically, he's been
really good every year, so we write that off as a one-time thing."
Foster, an 11-year veteran, was used sparingly by the Lakers as
a backup to Shaquille O'Neal.
Milwaukee general manager Ernie Grunfeld said the Bucks wanted
to give Thomas and second-year player Michael Redd more minutes and
also add depth to the team's frontcourt.
"Tim averaged 25 minutes last year. We feel he needs to average
30 if not 32 minutes," Grunfeld said. "There's not many teams
that can put a 6-foot-10 player in the backcourt and we feel Tim is
extremely capable of handling this. And we want Michael to get more
minutes, too."
In Foster, the Bucks get a player who has been to three NBA
Finals.
"So, he has a lot of veteran leadership, as well as being a
very good outside shooter, which fits into what we try to do on
this team," Grunfeld said.
Grunfeld said the trade also gives the Bucks more financial
flexibility.
Hunter has three years left on his contract; Foster is in the
final year of his deal. Also, the deal helps the Bucks if they
choose to exercise their one-year, $4.65 million option on starting
forward Scott Williams by Sunday. The Bucks gained enough wiggle
room through the trade that they can exercise that option without
crossing the threshold for the new luxury tax that kicks in next
season.
"We'll have something on that shortly," Grunfeld said. "In
all likelihood, Scottie will be back with us."
|
|
|
|
