FISHER OFF ON WRONG FOOT AGAIN HUNTER OBTAINED AFTER INJURY FOUND.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Derek Fisher's incredible metamorphosis from injured role player to playoff hero was the most inspiring subplot of the Lakers' championship run. What follows is either a devastating setback or another veiled opportunity.

Doctors have discovered another stress fracture in Fisher's right foot - the same injury that wiped him out of the first 62 games of last season. The new injury is considered less severe, but Fisher is probably headed for more surgery and will be out four to six months.

Last season, Fisher used that downtime to refine his jumpshot and transform himself into an ace shooter. Now the Lakers can only hope that another mixed blessing is at work.

``We expect him back even better than he was when he left,'' general manager Mitch Kupchak said, ``because that's what he did the first time.''

In the meantime, the Lakers moved quickly to bolster their backcourt, acquiring veteran Lindsey Hunter from Milwaukee in exchange for little-used backup center Greg Foster.

The 6-foot-2 Hunter can step into Fisher's starting spot, if necessary, but long-term is expected to serve as a steady presence off the bench.

Fisher's previous fracture wasn't discovered until last September, and it nearly canceled his season. But because the latest break was discovered now, during a routine physical exam, Fisher conceivably could return in time to start next season.

``It's obviously disappointing news for the organization and for Derek,'' Kupchak said. ``I talked to him. He's good, but you could tell he's really disappointed. ... Emotionally, it's tough.''

After rehabbing his foot for most of last season, Fisher returned in mid- March and sparked the Lakers to a 15-5 record in the final five weeks, averaging a career-best 11.5 points. He elevated his game again in the playoffs, averaging 13.4 points and shooting .515 from 3-point range - ``one of the guiding lights to the championship,'' Kupchak said.

Sometime during that run, however, Fisher apparently reinjured his foot. He felt some discomfort early in the playoffs, but the pain quickly subsided and the injury went undetected until two days ago.

Doctors conducted a CT scan Monday as a precautionary measure and were surprised to find Fisher had suffered an incomplete fracture of the navicular bone - the same bone he broke last year. Fisher probably will seek a second opinion but surgery is considered almost a certainty.

In acquiring Hunter, the Lakers get an eight-year veteran in the Fisher mold: a streaky shooter, disciplined defender and hard worker with a surplus of character. The Lakers and Bucks agreed to the deal in principle late Wednesday night and consummated it Thursday morning.

Fisher's injury was not the sole impetus for the deal, but it was a factor.

``There was probably more of a degree of urgency with Fish going down,'' Kupchak said. ``I can't say for sure we would have done it either way.''

Drafted 10th overall by Detroit in 1993, Hunter spent his first seven years with the Pistons, starting 374 games, including all 82 in 1999-2000.

He was dealt to Milwaukee last year in a trade for Billy Owens and was a key reserve for the Bucks as they battled all the way to the seventh game of the Eastern Conference finals.

Hunter averaged double-digit scoring in six of his eight seasons, including a career-best 14.2 points in 1996-97. He's a career .395 field- goal shooter, but solid from 3-point range, shooting .373.

``He's an excellent, although streaky-at-times shooter,'' Kupchak said. ``Very athletic, strong, good defender, a quality guard in this league. A good guy, great character, somebody that we feel can give us 20 to 25 minutes.''

With Hunter in the fold, the Lakers have four guards under contract and can afford to part with free agent Tyronn Lue. But Kupchak plans to add one or two more guards before training camp, and Laker free agents Mike Penberthy and Isaiah Rider remain under consideration.

Foster barely played in his one year with the Lakers and was expendable. By trading Foster, coupled with a $3.2 million trade exception from last year's Glen Rice deal, the Lakers have created a new trade exception for $1.7 million. That exception, the equivalent of a player making $1.7 million, is good for a year and can be used in a later trade.

Hunter has three years and $9 million remaining on an original seven-year contract and can increase his salary through incentives. He also can opt out of the deal next summer.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) FISHER

(2 -- color) HUNTER

(3) The Lakers hope Derek Fisher can once again recover from a stress fracture in his foot.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press