Rudy Fernandez, another Luis Scola type deal?

hooroo · Apr 18, 2008

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/o...sports/1208489121256590.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

The first chance to add other pieces will come in June's NBA draft. The Blazers own four picks -- the 13th overall selection (assuming they do not defy draft-day odds for the second summer in a row and win one of the top three picks in the draft lottery) and the second-round picks of Memphis, New York and Phoenix, courtesy of past trades.

It is highly unlikely, however, that the Blazers will use all four of their selections. They may even deal their first rounder, an attractive bargaining chip in what is expected to be a deep and talented draft.

...The most pressing offseason need, McMillan said, is not to add another young prospect but to add an experienced veteran. He points to forward James Jones' contributions this season as an illustration of the impact a savvy veteran can make.

...The Blazers will have to work to bring Fernandez to Portland. They drafted him last season with the 24th overall pick, but he remained overseas to develop. Owner Paul Allen already has visited Spain to watch Fernandez play -- he scored 30 points in that game -- and Pritchard will lead a management group on a recruiting visit later this month.

The goal, simply, is to woo Fernandez and persuade him to take less up-front money for the allure of playing in the NBA. Fernandez makes more in euros than he would as an NBA rookie because of the rookie salary scale.

"I think there's a good chance that he'll be in a Blazer uniform," Pritchard said. "I'm competing against something I've never competed against. When we signed Joel Przybilla, I knew my competition and that was other NBA teams. With Rudy, it's many more European teams and a lot more money than he would make in the United States. So it's hard, but I'm in contact with him and his agents every week."

Another area of offseason speculation is at point guard. A Western Conference source told The Oregonian in March that the Blazers pushed hard to acquire Toronto point guard Jose Calderon before the NBA trade deadline. That would suggest that the team also could pursue a point guard this offseason, even though Steve Blake, Jarrett Jack and Sergio Rodriguez all are under contract for at least one more season.

...There remain holes to fill in creating a playoff contender and Pritchard is eager -- in one way or another -- to fill them.

"There are going to be opportunities," Pritchard said. "We have players, pieces that are very attractive to other teams. But I will not do something just to do something. . . . At some point in time you have to say, 'Listen. That's enough. We have some pieces and you have to build around those pieces.' Will it be an active summer? It could be. Can I promise you that? No, not really."
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sime0n · Apr 22, 2008

saleem said:

Sounds like a Fran Vasquez like situation to me.
The Spurs selected Luis in 2002 when he wasn't ready for the NBA and let him develop.Unfortunately for them and fortunately for us he couldn't get out because of his buyout situation despite his desire to play in the NBA. Rudy Fernandez sounds like he doesn't want to come to the NBA just like Vasquez. This pisses me off,if you don't want to come just stay where you are and don't waste anybodies' money and time.

Just imagine our predicament if he refused to come to Houston if he had dropped down to us.
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What do you mean it pisses you off? It's not like these players have a choice of whether they get drafted or not. If you're 22 you're automatically eligible and NBA teams can draft you. Sometimes (in the case of Vasquez) the NBA team didn't bother to find out if the kid wanted to come over.

sime0n · Apr 22, 2008

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1208832919315920.xml&coll=7

Interesting article about Sergio Rodriguez...somewhat related to this thread since he's a Spaniard and he's told Rudy plenty about the NBA.

vstexas09 · Apr 24, 2008

hooroo said:

Fernandez signed a 4 year extension with his current club but his buyout is supposed to be affordable just not this season. Though if he signs with Barcelona after this season he may never play in the NBA.

Portland are still looking for a PG so maybe "local star" Aaron Brooks is appealing to them? Houston's no state income tax might appeal to Fernandez.

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=120699894797284200

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Word-on-the-Street-League-Talk,-A-Week-Before-the-Draft-2132/
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i wouldn't even consider dealing AB for him...

Williamson · Apr 24, 2008

vstexas09 said:

i wouldn't even consider dealing AB for him...
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Then you're crazy. I love Brooks, but realistically, due to his size, I just can't imagine he'll be ever be more than a solid back up. Rudy Fernandez could end up a flop, or he could end up a superstar. But it's certainly worth the gamble for the likes of Aaron Brooks.

sime0n · Apr 25, 2008

rudy fernandez is worth so much more than brooks. no way portland would ever do this. they already have a 3-headed problem at the point guard position.

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