Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Derek Fisher

How Derek Fisher built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Derek Fisher is a former American professional basketball player and current coach. He played 18 seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won five NBA championships. Fisher also played for several other teams including the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Dallas Mavericks. Beyond his playing career, Fisher served as president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), demonstrating leadership both on and off the court.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1996: Drafted by the Lakers

In 1996, Derek Fisher was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 24th overall pick. During this draft, the Lakers also traded for rookie Kobe Bryant, with whom Fisher formed a close friendship. Kobe Bryant later mentioned that Fisher was his favorite teammate.

1996: Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Award and NBA Draft

In 1996, Derek Fisher was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year while playing college basketball for the Arkansas–Little Rock Trojans. Also in 1996, he was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 24th pick in the NBA draft.

1997: NBA Debut and Rookie Season

In 1997, Derek Fisher made his NBA debut against the Phoenix Suns, recording 12 points and five assists. During his rookie season, he played in 80 games, averaging 3.9 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 rebounds. He was also selected for the Schick Rookie Game during All-Star Weekend, where he scored 16 points and had six assists.

1998: Starting Role and Playoff Appearance

In the 1997-98 season, Derek Fisher started 36 of 82 games, backing up Nick Van Exel. He started all 13 playoff games, averaging 6 points per game as the Lakers reached the Western Conference finals before losing to the Utah Jazz.

1999: New Coach Phil Jackson

Prior to the 1999–2000 season, Phil Jackson became the Lakers' head coach and brought veteran point guard Ron Harper.

2000: First NBA Championship with the Lakers

In 2000, Derek Fisher won his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, playing alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, and coached by Phil Jackson.

March 13, 2001: Return from Injury

On March 13, 2001, Derek Fisher returned from a stress fracture in his right foot, which had sidelined him for the first 62 games of the 2000-01 season. He started the final 20 games, averaging 11.5 points per game and strengthening the Lakers' defense.

2001: Continued Double-Figure Scoring

During the 2001-02 season, Injuries limited Fisher to start in 35 of 70 games, but he continued to average double-figure scoring and shot over 40 percent from three-point range for the season.

2002: Establishing Himself as the Lakers' Primary Point Guard

By the 2002-03 season, Derek Fisher had established himself as the Lakers' primary point guard, starting in all 82 games.

2002: Third Consecutive NBA Championship

In 2002, Derek Fisher secured his third consecutive NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside teammates Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and coach Phil Jackson.

2003: Departure from the Lakers

After the 2003-04 NBA season, Derek Fisher signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors.

2003: Western Conference Semifinals Elimination

In 2003, the Lakers were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals by the San Antonio Spurs, who eventually won the championship. This was followed by the Lakers signing veteran point guard Gary Payton, leading to Fisher being demoted back to the bench for the 2003-04 season. During NBA All-Star Weekend, he was a member of the Los Angeles team that won the Shooting Stars Competition.

May 13, 2004: Game 5 Playoff Moment

On May 13, 2004, during Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs, Derek Fisher had a memorable playoff moment. With 0.4 seconds left on the clock and the Spurs leading 73-72, Fisher made a shot to win the game.

July 15, 2004: Signing with the Golden State Warriors

On July 15, 2004, Derek Fisher signed a six-year, $37 million contract with the Golden State Warriors.

2004: Limited Opportunities

During the 2004-05 season, Speedy Claxton started more games than Fisher.

2005: Highest Season Scoring Average

During the 2005-06 season, Derek Fisher averaged 13.3 points a game, which was the highest season scoring average of his career.

July 12, 2006: Trade to the Utah Jazz

On July 12, 2006, Derek Fisher was traded to the Utah Jazz from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Keith McLeod, Andre Owens, and Devin Brown.

November 2006: President of the National Basketball Players Association

In November 2006, Derek Fisher was elected President of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), succeeding Antonio Davis.

July 2, 2007: Request to be Released from Jazz Contract

On July 2, 2007, Derek Fisher requested the Utah Jazz to release him from his contract so that he could relocate to a team and city with the appropriate medical specialists to treat his daughter's retinoblastoma. The Jazz granted his request.

July 19, 2007: Rejoining the Los Angeles Lakers

On July 19, 2007, Derek Fisher officially rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers, signing a three-year contract worth roughly $14 million, giving up approximately $8 million from his previous contract with the Jazz.

2007: Playoff Performance

In 2007, the Jazz defeated the Warriors but lost to the Spurs in the Western Conference finals. Fisher's performance in Game 2 against the Warriors was nominated for an ESPY Award.

2007: Resuming Role as Starting Point Guard for the Lakers

When the 2007–08 season began, Fisher resumed his role as the Lakers' starting point guard. He contributed a solid season, shooting 40% from the three-point range and 88% from the free-throw line, the highest percentage of his career.

July 1, 2008: Color Commentator for Los Angeles Sparks

Since July 1, 2008, Derek Fisher has been the color commentator for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

2009: Game-Winning Shots and NBA Championship

Throughout the 2009 NBA playoffs, Fisher faced criticism, but in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic, he made a three-pointer to force overtime and then another to help the Lakers win, ultimately securing the franchise's 15th NBA title. This marked Fisher's fourth NBA championship.

February 3, 2010: 1,000th Three-Pointer

On February 3, 2010, Derek Fisher made the 1,000th three-pointer of his career against the Charlotte Bobcats.

June 8, 2010: Pivotal Performance in Game 3 of NBA Finals

On June 8, 2010, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Derek Fisher scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including a three-point-play lay-up, contributing to the Lakers' 91–84 victory and a 2–1 series lead.

July 12, 2010: Signing a three-year deal with the Lakers

On July 12, 2010, Derek Fisher agreed to a three-year, $10.5 million deal with the Lakers, with a player option in the third year, despite receiving more lucrative offers from other teams.

March 15, 2012: Trade to the Houston Rockets

On March 15, 2012, Derek Fisher was traded to the Houston Rockets along with a 2012 first-round draft pick in exchange for Jordan Hill.

March 21, 2012: Signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder

On March 21, 2012, Derek Fisher signed a contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the remainder of the 2011-12 season, choosing jersey number 37 and scoring 5 points in his debut game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

November 29, 2012: Signing with the Dallas Mavericks

On November 29, 2012, Derek Fisher signed with the Dallas Mavericks, wearing No. 6 in pursuit of his sixth championship, and started in his first game, contributing to a 92–77 win over Detroit.

2012: Trade to Rockets and Joining the Thunder

In 2012, Derek Fisher was traded to the Houston Rockets, subsequently bought out his contract, and then joined the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he played in the NBA championship.

February 25, 2013: Resigning with Oklahoma City Thunder

On February 25, 2013, Derek Fisher re-signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the remainder of the 2012–13 season to fill their need for a third point guard after being away from basketball for a period of time.

July 24, 2013: Re-signing with the Thunder

On July 24, 2013, Derek Fisher re-signed with the Thunder for the 2013-14 season, playing in 81 regular-season games and all 19 playoff games.

2013: Joining and Leaving the Mavericks, Rejoining Thunder

In 2013, Derek Fisher signed with the Dallas Mavericks, played nine games before an injury led to his release, and subsequently rejoined the Oklahoma City Thunder for a late-season push. He then re-signed with the Thunder in the off-season.

June 10, 2014: Hired as Head Coach of New York Knicks

On June 10, 2014, Derek Fisher was hired as the head coach of the New York Knicks, signing a five-year, $25 million deal, largely due to his relationship with Phil Jackson, the team's president.

February 8, 2016: Firing from the New York Knicks

On February 8, 2016, Derek Fisher was fired as the head coach of the New York Knicks after the team's record fell to 23-31.

2016: Firing from the New York Knicks

In 2016, Derek Fisher was fired from his position as the head coach of the New York Knicks. Subsequently, he became a broadcast television analyst on Turner Sports' NBA programming and joined Spectrum SportsNet as an in-studio analyst for the Los Angeles Lakers.