Rudy Fernandez went out Tuesday night and reminded everyone he can play -- 15 points on 5 of 6 from three, plus five rebounds and three assists. Happy or not in Portland, he can contribute.
Word comes out of New York that the Knicks still have some interest in Fernandez, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Two parts to this deal. First, the Knicks need to ask if they really need him, which depends on Wilson Chandler’s recovery. Against Milano on Sunday he played 22 minutes and knocked down 7 of 9 from the floor (1 of 2 from three) on his way to 17 points. Not a bad start, not bad at all.
If he is playing well, the Knicks desire to up the trade offer already rejected by Portland -- Isola said the offer was “two future second-round picks in addition to one of the two players the Knicks picked in the second round in June - Andy Rautins or Landry Fields” -- goes away.
Frankly, I don’t see Portland getting a better offer, particularly the middle-and-up first-round pick they are rumored to want.
Unless there is an injury and a team gets desperate, Fernandez may well stay in Portland for a while and everyone will have to grin and bear it.