Is Rudy Fernandez worth a #1?

[Jon]

While I'm not necessarily convinced that Rudy is our best option (still would like Howard), #1 isn't a big deal in the scope of things if we win #18. 

[footey]

What if Portland management harbors a grudge against the Celtics for their role in Darius Miles getting playing time?

New management in Portland, not affected. Plus, we signed Miles with expectation he could help us, not to screw Portland.

[timepiece33]

The luxury tax is around $70MM and the Blazers are around $73MM. 

IMO, we probably could offer Rasheed, Omar Lafayette, and a lottery protected (top 13) first rounder for Joel Pryzbilla and Rudy Fernandez. 

Pryzbilla is pointless in Portland right now and his injury risk makes his contract more of a risk. 

[ManUp]

Picking up Fernandez would be great. I feel he's a good coach and the right system away from being a very very good player. I'd be willing to give up the 2011 pick, but it would have to be lottery protected.

[Evantime34]

The luxury tax is around $70MM and the Blazers are around $73MM. 

IMO, we probably could offer Rasheed, Omar Lafayette, and a lottery protected (top 13) first rounder for Joel Pryzbilla and Rudy Fernandez. 

Pryzbilla is pointless in Portland right now and his injury risk makes his contract more of a risk. 

I believe Pryzbilla is in the last year of his deal.

With him coming off injury, Camby being old as dirt and Oden being made of glass it can't hurt to keep all 3.

[winsomme]

The luxury tax is around $70MM and the Blazers are around $73MM. 

IMO, we probably could offer Rasheed, Omar Lafayette, and a lottery protected (top 13) first rounder for Joel Pryzbilla and Rudy Fernandez. 

Pryzbilla is pointless in Portland right now and his injury risk makes his contract more of a risk. 

At first thought, I might have agreed with you, but I just took a second look at their roster and the C position really is not that deep for them. They've got Camby, Oden, and Przybilla.

Given that two of those are coming off injuries, they would be really thin at C if they moved either Oden or Przybilla....especially for a team looking to be a serious playoff contender.

I'd love to grab either of those two in a deal with RF for Sheed etc...but I don't see POR giving up a big.

[celts60]

Is Fernandez clearly better than Delonte West?  If yes, then yes, I'd say RF is worth a protected pick.  But I honestly don't know.  What do you think?

[Phil125]

Rudy and oden or Pryz for a lottery protected first rounder and wallace +1.  In a heart beat  innn a heart beat.

I think Rudy could help get rid of those offensive dead periods the celtics got in all last year.  Nate and Rudy coming off the bench could be that House/Posey offensive injection we've missed since then.

[Birdbrain]

I emailed a Trailblazer season ticket holder asking him....how good is Fernandez?......his answer

On a scale of 10
Offense 6
Defense 2
Sizzle 8

I'm not even sure what sizzle actually means but, if it's what I think it means it explains a lot of love for Rudy throughout this thread.  The offensive and defensive ratings appear to be on point though.  It's strange that a guy that appears to be looked upon so highly isn't wanted on Portland...Maybe it's all their depth although they did lose the other uber talented Outlaw.

[manl_lui]

Is Fernandez clearly better than Delonte West?  If yes, then yes, I'd say RF is worth a protected pick.  But I honestly don't know.  What do you think?

id say they are pretty much the same type of player except Delonte is slightly a better defender in my opinion

however, Rudy is still young and can score better than west

so i rather take Rudy

[Snakehead]

I emailed a Trailblazer season ticket holder asking him....how good is Fernandez?......his answer

On a scale of 10
Offense 6
Defense 2
Sizzle 8

I'm not even sure what sizzle actually means but, if it's what I think it means it explains a lot of love for Rudy throughout this thread.  The offensive and defensive ratings appear to be on point though.  It's strange that a guy that appears to be looked upon so highly isn't wanted on Portland...Maybe it's all their depth although they did lose the other uber talented Outlaw.

The Blazers just threw a ton of money at Wes Matthews.  He better be their number one wing backup. They drafted for a possible PG answer for the future and then brought in a back up SF, and Roy can play 2/3.  Fernandez doesn't fit in too much with the team style and he doesn't fit in their rotation.

Portland is the slowest pace team in the league.  Fernandez would be much more useful on a faster paced team, so his value has to be larger outside the Blazers team.

[Greenbean]

The luxury tax is around $70MM and the Blazers are around $73MM. 

IMO, we probably could offer Rasheed, Omar Lafayette, and a lottery protected (top 13) first rounder for Joel Pryzbilla and Rudy Fernandez. 

Pryzbilla is pointless in Portland right now and his injury risk makes his contract more of a risk. 

At first thought, I might have agreed with you, but I just took a second look at their roster and the C position really is not that deep for them. They've got Camby, Oden, and Przybilla.

Given that two of those are coming off injuries, they would be really thin at C if they moved either Oden or Przybilla....especially for a team looking to be a serious playoff contender.

I'd love to grab either of those two in a deal with RF for Sheed etc...but I don't see POR giving up a big.

What if they wanted Perk plus Sheed for Oden and Rudy...do you do it?

It's a wash at the C position IMO. Just as much uncertainty with both guys.

[MBunge]

Hello from Portland!

You all have been discussing this Rudy deal for over a day now.  We in Pdx just got the "scoop" about an hour ago.  Teaches us to be reading your blog instead of ours!

Regarding Rudy-I have no doubt he could be a star somewhere besides here.  Our slow it down, don't make turnovers or you're benched, defend first and shoot third coaching style just doesn't work for his flashy,wide open style of play.  Unfortunately, we have a way of making players less than they could be in this town.  How about we trade Rudy and McMillan straight up for Rivers?

Well, Boston is all about defense and the half-court game, but this team sure doesn't mind turnovers so maybe Rudy could fit in here.

Mike

[Jon]

The only other thing to consider is this:

"I totally understand how he feels," McMillan said Tuesday. "He was a star in his league. He was Brandon Roy. Now, he's playing behind an All-Star and the minutes are really limited. For me, I can make it work, but it's not about me. It's about him."

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/07/trail_blazers_looking_for_a_fa.html

Now part of that problem is that Wes Matthews is there now, which could further diminish his playing time.  

However, if he was unhappy playing behind Brandon Roy, is he going to be that much happier playing behind Ray Allen.  

I still say that we do it and worry about the consequences later, but it's something to think about.  

[CelticSooner]

Shooting guard Rudy Fernandez is unhappy sitting behind Brandon Roy on the Portland Trail Blazers' depth chart and has been hoping for a trade. The team is possibly trying to send him all the way to the other coast.

The Oregonian reports that the Blazers are talking to the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls about trading for Fernandez, the 25-year-old Spaniard who set a rookie record when he made 159 three-pointers two seasons ago.

"Some of the teams interested in Fernandez have offered a future first round draft pick, while other offers would pair Fernandez with another Blazers player," the paper reports.

How happy would he be coming off the bench for the C's?