Fisher becomes free agent

However, he isn’t allowed to sign with anyone, including his former team, until the middle of July.

Fisher could have earned $3 million from the Lakers in each of the next two seasons if he didn’t opt out.

Fisher’s move became inevitable after starting point guard Gary Payton exercised his $5.4 million option for next season. Payton, who was signed by the Lakers last summer took Fisher’s starting backcourt position.

Fisher, who will turn 30 in August played in all 104 games for Los Angeles this season. He averaged 7.1 points in 21.6 minutes of action in 82 regular- season games and was a member of the Lakers’ three consecutive title teams starting back in 1999.

Fisher perhaps will go down in Laker lore as hitting one of the most memorable shots in playoff and team history, draining a turn around jumper at the buzzer to lift Los Angeles to a 74-73 triumph over the Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

The Lakers went on to capture the series, advance to the conference finals and defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves before bowing out unceremoniously to the Detroit Pistons in five games in the NBA Finals.