FanNation

Here's a big move that's happened this basketball offseason (well, offseason for some): Rudy Fernandez has announced that he will come over to the NBA next year.  "Who?" you may say.  Well, last year the Blazers bought the Suns' 1st round pick, number 24, and used it on a young and talented SG/SF from Spain named Rudy.  It was well known Rudy wouldn't come over to the states this past year, which may have led to his fall down the draft board.

Regardless of reason, the Blazers were able to snag him in the same draft as Greg Oden, which completely overshadowed this foreign acquisition.  However, as Rudy began and continued to play at an extremely high level the buzz began to grow in the Blazers camp.  Fernandez led his team to both the Spanish National Championship and the European Championship, garnering the MVP in both tournaments.  Many scouts agree that had Rudy come out in this year's draft he would be a 3-8 pick, instead of #24 like last year. 

In other words, he is nearly unanimously regarded as the best international player and prospect, making him a great addition to any team.  However, this also meant that he stood to make the Euro equivilant of $3 million American by signing a contract to play in Spain, and could only play for his pro-rated rookie contract if he joined the Blazers (about $900 thousand).  This led to unease in Portland as to whether this international gift woul arrive as planned.  Portland has experienced foreign heartbreak before in the form of Arvydas Sabonis, with whom they likely would have won a title or two in the early 1990s.

In the end, Rudy decided that playing in the best league on the planet (as the NBA still is) and the promise of greater money down the road meant more than a massive payday now.  And he does have the potential to be a big money winner in the NBA.

Rudy is a lengthy 6'6" with great ball handling skills, a smooth jumper, and smart distribution tendencies.  He has the makings to be a more controlled Manu Ginobili, and is in a great situation in Portland.  Odds are he will be the 6th/7th man with Travis Outlaw, backing up the 2 and 3 position and getting 25-30 minutes a night.  He will be in every position to contribute and under no pressure to carry the team, which allows him to adjust to the NBA game without any major drawbacks.

This leaves Portland in an almost unfairly healthy position.  First, the team went a surprising 41-41 in a murderous West this year, seeing exponential development in players like Brandon Roy, LeMarcus Aldridge, and Travis Outlaw.  Second, they welcome at least two rookie of the year candidates in Greg Oden and Rudy (they also have the #13 pick and four second rounders in the upcoming draft, look for them to trade like crazy again).  And third, they have a glut of extra money.  Darius Miles came off the books which frees up $9 million for each of the next two offseasons, Steve Francis (the little known acquisition of the Zach Randolph trade) was bought out and frees up $10 million for the next THREE offseasons, and Raef Lafrenz has his $13 million contract expiring after next year.  To sum up, they're a successful, young team adding more great talented youth with the cap flexibility to add veteran experience AND resign any of their core they deem necessary.  Good time to be a Blazers fan!