The Utah Jazz agreed to release guard Derek Fisher from his contract Monday so he can concentrate on finding the best care for his 11-month-old daughter, who has cancer in her left eye. Fisher said he wants to live in one of the six or seven cities being considered for Tatum’s care. He didn’t rule out playing for another NBA team but emphasized that his daughter’s health is his No. 1 priority. “Life for me outweighs the game of basketball,” Fisher told reporters after flying from New York to meet with Jazz owner Larry H. Miller and other team executives. “When it comes to decisions related to them,” he said of his family, “I do what’s best.”
There was no surprise when David Stern stepped up to the podium on Draft night and announced the first two picks of the NBA Draft with Greg Oden going to the Portalnd Trail Blazers, and Kevin Durant joining the Seattle Sonics. The other picks were a little suprising with the Atlanta Hawks taking Al Horford at #3, and passing up another opportunity at taking a great point guard, which is their biggest need. The Memphis Grizzlies decided to take Mike Conley Jr. who definitely fits their team, and in a blockbuster trade, the Boston Celtics acquired Ray Allen from the Seattle Sonics for the #5 pick which was Jeff Green and other players to be announced later. Yi Jianlin, the Chinese Superstar ended up going to the Milwaukee Bucks. Joakim Noah ended up on the Chicago Bulls, and what a great pick that is by their GM. Jason Richardson was also shipped out by the Golden State Warriors to the Charlotte Bobcats in return for their #8 pick, which turned out to be Brandon Wright. The New York Knicks also acquired Zach Randolph in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.A lot of trade rumors involving Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Jermaine O’Neal seemed to die down on draft night, and no other major trades were made. Overall, it was a deep draft that benefited a lot of NBA teams.
