Rudy Fernandez's Agent, Not Knicks, Fueling Trade Rumors

Portland-area freelance writer Wendell Maxey, who also runs the Beyond the Beat blog, reports via Twitter that talk of the Knicks’ interest in Rudy Fernandez is coming from Andy Miller, Fernandez’s agent, and not from the Knicks themselves:

Maxey explains this rumormongering is Miller’s effort not to lose his job representing Fernandez:

If Maxey is right—and there’s no reason to doubt him—then it’s probably best to dismiss any report saying New York is seriously still interested in the 25-year-old sharpshooter.

With Wilson Chandler Slow To Recover, Knicks Eying Rudy Fernandez

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports the Knicks have not ended their pursuit of disgruntled Trail Blazers shooting guard Rudy Fernandez. Portland recently rejected the Knicks' offer of two future second-round picks, plus either Landry Fields or Andy Rautins, but boss Donnie Walsh is eager to improve his team's guard rotation, especially given Wilson Chandler's questionable "conditioning." The three-year veteran had two surgeries this summer, so he's understandably behind the rest of his teammates in that respect.

New York's next move is to wait, really, in order to evaluate Chandler's progress. If they're dissatisfied, a trade could be in the works:

Chandler's name comes up regularly in trade discussions, and Portland is divided on whether it would accept him in a deal for Fernandez. The Blazers would be more willing to swap Fernandez for a first-round pick and a player, possibly reserve guard Bill Walker.

Boosting the wing positions has to be a priority for the Knicks. Their best shooting guard, Kelenna Azubuike, may not be ready for the start of the season as he recovers from a torn patella tendon suffered last year. Their other options include Chandler; veteran free-agent Roger Mason; and the rookies Rautins and Fields.

Knicks Still Pursuing Rudy Fernandez, But Refuse To Part With Anthony Randolph

The New York Knicks’ flirtation with Portland Trail Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez isn’t over just yet. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports that the Knicks are still interested in trading for the three-point marksman, but that they’re having trouble completing a trade because Portland isn’t interested in taking back Wilson Chandler, and because the Blazers want a first-round draft pick in any deal.

However, says Isola, the Knicks could have acquired Fernandez in a three-team trade recently, but it would have cost them Anthony Randolph, the centerpiece in the package they received from the Golden State Warriors in the sign-and-trade deal that sent David Lee to the Bay Area. In the nixed deal, New York would have sent Randolph to the Indiana Pacers and a first-round pick to Portland. In return, the Blazers would send Fernandez to the Big Apple. It would have been a steep price to pay. Seth Rosenthal of Posting and Toasting, SB Nation’s Knicks blog, suggested this creative way Knicks boss Donnie Walsh could have rejected this proposal.

Knicks Offering Wilson Chandler For Portland's Rudy Fernandez

The rhetoric after the Knicks signed free-agent shooting guard Roger Mason Jr. last month was that he was a consolation prize after New York missed out on acquiring Trail Blazers shooting guard Rudy Fernandez. But that line of thinking appears now to have been mistaken, as ESPN’s Chris Sheridan reports the Knicks have not stopped trying to trade for the third-year sharpshooter, and are using Wilson Chandler as bait.

Ford says regime change in Portland—Rich Cho has replaced Kevin Pritchard as GM—has re-opened discussion for Fernandez with numerous teams. “Cho is simply trying to scour the league for the best offer he can find,” says Ford, which is why there hasn’t been any movement on the Fernandez front. It’s likely that Cho will find a more appealing offer than the Knicks’.

The league announced yesterday it fined Fernandez $25,000 for making “detrimental” comments, in reference to his public trade demands.

Knicks Sign Free Agent Roger Mason Jr.

The New York Knicks have signed Spurs free agent Roger Mason to a one-year, $1.4 million contract according to Frank Isola from the New York Daily News.

It’s believed that Mason will take the roster spot that the Knicks had originally alloted to be used in a trade for the Portland Trail Blazers’ Rudy Fernandez.

The Knicks though, according to Isola, were unwilling to give up a first-round pick to land Fernandez and thus have settled on Mason, Jr.

In 79 games with the Spurs last season, Mason averaged 6.3 points in just under 20 minutes of action.

Report: Rudy Fernandez Trade Isn't Imminent

As we noted earlier, the New York Knicks may be in the running for Portland guard Rudy Fernandez. Blazers beat writer Brian T. Smith tweets that “nothing is imminent.”

No “substantial” new info regarding Fernandez and Blazers during last week. “Nothing has changed,” source close to Fernandez says.

Does Fernandez want to be moved? Yes. Are Blazers exploring options? Yes. But there has not been an “ultimatum” delivered, sources say.

Blazers and Fernandez are closer and more on same page than they are apart. Source close to Fernandez describes situation as “symbiotic.”

It’s evident the relationship is not working and it’s time for a “divorce,” source says. However, dialogue is open and nothing has changed.

Blazers are exploring trade options for Fernandez. But this has been going on for more than a month, and nothing is imminent.

Blazers are open to trading Fernandez, but they are still in the driver’s seat and do not feel pressured to make a trade.

Moreover, there’s no guarantee Fernandez will soon be moved. Blazers could hold on to him and use him in a package deal.

Jason Quick, the writer who originally said Fernandez was being actively shopped, has backed off slightly.

Rudy trade talks likely on back burner until Sunday. GM Cho tells agent Andy Miller he will meet w/coach McMillan in Vegas on Sun to discuss

We also noted earlier that Knicks beat writer Alan Hahn reports that the Knicks may not have the pieces to make a trade work.

Knicks May Not Be A Likely Destination For Fernandez After All

According to Knicks beat writer Alan Hahn, Rudy Fernandez is likely not going to wind up in New York. From a recent Tweet by Hahn:

Source tells Newsday the Knicks have nothing Blazers want to make trade for Rudy Fernandez. POR wants 1st rnder. NY can’t offer until 2014.

Can’t say I disagree with the logic there. Unless Portland is not in fact demanding a first rounder in exchange, I wouldn’t expect the deal to materialize. We’ll see. Stay tuned for more on the story as it develops.

Are The Knicks Making A Play For Rudy Fernandez?

Jason Quick of The Oregonian writes that Portland Trail Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez is being actively shopped by the team.

At the urging of Rudy Fernandez and his agent, the Trail Blazers have engaged in accelerated trade discussions to deal the disgruntled, once-popular shooting guard to one of three Eastern Conference teams.

Boston, Chicago and New York are all in the running to land the 6-foot-6 Spaniard, who set an NBA rookie record two seasons ago by making 156 three-pointers. 

Fernandez has long been unhappy in Portland and his former running mate Sergio Rodriguez found his way to New York last season.