It’s not feasible for the Lakers to bring back Fisher now, because league rules preclude them from signing a player traded away and then waived (in this case by Houston) for one year after the original deal. Which means March 15, 2013, is the earliest Fisher could legally re-sign with L.A.

Yet sources with knowledge of the Lakers’ thinking say that the team is already trying to create a backcourt opening, having made it clear to the rest of the league that Chris Duhon and Steve Blake are available via trade to any interested party willing to absorb one of those contracts.

While it’s true that no trade is imminent in either case, that’s also the norm in October when outlooks are still rosy in pretty much every NBA training camp and teams generally aren’t ready to move. Could the Lakers eventually find a taker for one of those vets? Blake has one season left on his contract after this one valued at $4 million, but Duhon’s $3.75 million salary in 2013-14 is unguaranteed, which makes his contract a more attractive acquisition.

via Marc Stein of ESPN