Spanish international Rudy Fernandez had decided to return to the Dallas Mavericks after initially choosing to stay at Real Madrid, but it has now been confirmed that he has been traded to the Denver Nuggets. Fernandez, who won the Eurobasket gold medal this past summer with Spain in Lithuania, joined the Euroleague side during the NBA lockout, playing eight games, averaging 11 points a contest and shooting just under 32% from the three-point arc. Real Madrid qualified for the Top 16 with two games still to play in Group C.
There were rumours floating around today that Fernandez would seek a buyout from Dallas in order to return to Real Madrid for the entire season, and for a brief period it was confirmed by select members of the Spanish media. However, the 26-year-old confirmed the news himself via Twitter that he had received his visa and was flying out to Dallas to join the Mavericks, who are current NBA champions tomorrow.
But in the last hour, Fernandez has now been traded to Denver Nuggets for future draft picks, which has not yet been confirmed. Mavericks swingman, Corey Brewer is reportedly also involved in the deal.
At this time, Fernandez is still in Madrid.
He leaves Real Madrid with them sitting top of Group C of the Euroleague with a 6-2 record. They are in second place in the domestic ACB league on a 9-2 record, behind Regal FC Barcelona, who are 10-1.
Fernandez ventured into the NBA in the 2008-09 season when he went to the Portland Trailblazers from DKV Joventut Badalona. He spent six years with the Catalan side (2002-08).
His highlights included entering the 2009 NBA dunk contest during the All-Star weekend.
