Rudy Fernandez could be heading to Spain – NBA Update
With the lockout posing a serious threat to next season and consequently to the careers of many NBA players, Rudy Fernandez seems to have found a life line. The Spanish basketball star has reportedly been offered a contract by
Real Madrid, who are one of the elite teams in the Spanish ACB league, and the player is seemingly giving the proposal some serious thought.
Fernandez, 26, averaged 9.1 points per game in his three years with the Portland Trail Blazers. The player became known for his prowess from beyond the arc as he has managed a stellar 36.4 percentage from downtown over his career.
On draft night, Fernandez was one of the movers as he was traded to the NBA World Champions, the Dallas Mavericks. However his stay at the franchise could be very short indeed.
Real Madrid have fallen on tough times and are looking to turn things around and boost morale by snatching the Fernandez who is quite popular in his home country. The contract Rudy has been offered is believed to be worth $4.35
million a year and would run for six years. The player was set to earn $2.2 million next season under the now expired CBA. Afterwards, the Mavs reserved the right to extend a qualifying offer to Fernandez worth $3.2 million. Both however fall short of the
$4.35 a year that Fernandez could make in Spain.
Furthermore, with the league in lockout there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding players on expiring deals. The dispute about the new CBA revolves around lower player salaries and even if the players get their way they will still
be earning less next year as compared to what they got this time around.
Therefore the new CBA could, and probably would, restrict the ability of NBA franchises to offer lucrative contracts to their players. Under the circumstances Rudy is almost guaranteed to be offered less money when his current
contract expires.
That fact, coupled with the comfort and familiarity of playing in his home country in front of adoring fans could prove to be too tempting for Rudy Fernandez to turn down. He thus could very well be on his way to Spain.
It is also believed that under the deal Real Madrid have offered Rudy will leave for Spain now but would be allowed to return when, and if, the NBA season begins. After seeing out next season with the Dallas Mavericks Rudy would
then return to Spain, saying adios to the NBA for good.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that none of the Mavericks officials are allowed to talk to the player during the lockout.
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