By K.C. JohnsonThe Oregonian reported Tuesday night that the Bulls are among three teams engaged in trade talks with the Trail Blazers for swingman Rudy Fernandez.
Fernandez, long rumored to be available, also is being linked to talks with the Celtics and Knicks, the paper reported, citing Fernandez's agent, Andy Miller.
The Bulls are still seeking to add outside shooting for their 12th contracted player after witnessing an underwhelming workout by Tracy McGrady on Monday. The Bulls also have had conversations with representatives for shooting guards like Keith Bogans, Roger Mason Jr. and Eddie House, sources previously told the Tribune.
Photo: Rudy Fernandez passes over the Warriors' Anthony Morrow last season. (Anda Chu/MCT)
The Bulls have been offering 2009 first-round pick James Johnson all offseason, although the Trail Blazers have shown little interest in Johnson in the past and other parts would be needed to make those salaries match.
Fernandez, 25, has shot 38.7 percent from 3-point range in his two NBA seasons since leaving his native Spain.
Get our updates on 
Go all the way with fernandez give johnson and cash if not go after shannon brown this guy can play
DS on July 28, 2010 10:08 AM
Rudy Fernandez a great shooter? He is a career 38% 3-point shooter in the league. Last time I checked, everyone on this board thought Hinrich was a horrible 3-point shooter, including the author. Kirk's career 3 point shooting percentage: 38!
-------------------------------------------------------------
DS, you clearly don't get how it works here in Chicago. When a player comes up for contract negotiation, there are 2 possibilities: 1) Team lets the player walk and we all bitch about how cheap our ownership is 2) Team re-signs the player and we all bitch about the player making too much money. Hinrich is the latter. Fernandez is neither since he isn't on the team.
Got it now?
Put Bulls before Heat and as they turn around, seeing Rose, Brewer, Fernandez, Boozer, and so on, they'll jump!
PG: Rose > Chalmers
SG: Brewer Bosh
C: Noah > Big Z
PG: Watson > Arroyo
SG: Fernandez > ?
SF: Johnson/Korver > ?
PF: Gibson > Howard
C: Asik > Pittman
To me, this would be a no brainer if the Bulls could pull it off. And I say that simply because of the contract they would be picking up.
Fernandez is a talent...no question. And he is only set to make around $1.25 million next year. So in essence, you are exchanging JJ for Fernandez on your books, possibly giving up your worst 1st rounder next season (so you STILL have a first rounder next year), and still have enough cap space (no less than now) to sign a Mason Jr., Brown, House, etc.
Absolute no brainer here. Fernandez is more talented than JJ and costs no more on the books.
I agree with josh. Rudy hit a ton of big shots. That is why the bulls should get him. We need a pure shooter waiting on the three point line. See this, if we put kk and rudy on the court at the same time, Rose will have more space to tribble into the paint.
When Rudy is rolling offensively he is one of the most exciting players on the court. After a spectacular basket Rudy struts around like Superman. He knows it and you definitely can see that ego of his. With Rudy the Bulls could rank #3 in the East easily. I'm all for getting Rudy Fernandez. He is an offensive force. As for his defense Rudy is a great offensive force but Bulls fans can live with that.
What would the Bulls trade for him? Everybody says James Johnson and picks. But Portland doesn't want JJ. The Blazers are in a bind since giving Wesley Matthews $34 mil. Blazer won't get much for Rudy. The Bulls and Celtics might be offering a 1st round pick but expect those picks to be in lower half of a very weak 2011 NBA draft. As for the Knicks do the Blazers really want anyone on their team in exchange for Rudy? The Blazers better choose a trading partner because Rudy wants out. He's had enough of being Brandon Roy's understudy. Rudy's ego won't allow it.
Josh, I sense some Euro-bias in your broken English. Rudy has really proven a lot in his 2 NBA seasons. He has hit a ton of big shots and has demonstrated an incredible heart. Whaaaaat?! An earlier post said it perfectly. The guy pouted last year as a result of diminished playing time and asked to be traded.
great shooter means he can hit the target at important moment. Even their 3-point percentage is same. Rudy can hit the three when the team need it. He has strong heart!!
Rudy Fernandez a great shooter? He is a career 38% 3-point shooter in the league. Last time I checked, everyone on this board thought Hinrich was a horrible 3-point shooter, including the author. Kirk's career 3 point shooting percentage: 38! And when did Rudy become a great defender? I'm really surprised by the disconnect between perception and reality. Actually, I'm not
I Say Package JJ And Two 2nd Rounders For Fernandez And Have A Open Competition For The Starting 2 Position Between He And Brewer I Think Fernandez Has EXPERIENCE (Played 7 Seasons W/Cibona Zagreb Before Entering The Draft) He Knows How To Score And Can Lighten The Load For Rose And Booz.... I Say We have A 65% Chance of Landing Him If We LAnd Him i Say WE HAD THE BEST OFFSEASON (YES! Even Better Than (c)HEAT...MY OPINION!!) I Mean We Actually Built A Team They Have 3 Superstars And A WASHED-UP Roster Except Haslem n Miller!
I watched some highlights of this guy in action and he is fast and very athletic. He can drain the trey from anywhere at a high percentage and is a great passer. He would be an excellent complement to Rose - far superior to anyone else on the roster. Fernandez is only 25 and has all the tools to become a star.
I'd be onboard if they signed Fernandez. I've always thought he was underrated and can be better than he was in Portland. His Length makes sense.
If the Bulls are looking at smaller guards though Luther Head should be the ONLY choice. Nobody else available has a better track record from 3 and he's not too undersized like House, and plays solid D. Bulls blew it on Morrow. I hope they don't mess up this one too.
The Blazers have been a close second favorite team of mine to the Bulls since 1990. I order league pass so I can follow them. The Blazer fans and media criticize him about as hard as fans here do Deng and did Hinrich. Contrary to what has been blogged, he is not a strong defender and his shooting is erratic. He can not create his own shot and wants to play somewhere where he can start. If he's not going to start in Chicago and play significant minutes, he will pout and his game will reflect his attitude just as it did in Portland. He had an opportunity to showcase his ability in the playoffs as he started while Brandon Roy was out the first few games against Phoenix and he didn't perform. Otherwise Portland wouldn't even consider trading him since he's cheap on the team’s payroll.
$1,246,680 for this year. can't get much cheaper!
Like spanish guy I am and bulls fans too, this will be a dream come true!
Guys, Rudy is the best fit for the great new project.......great defender, good shooter and a team player.
And with Rose will be a great chemistry!!
And a trade for Johnson is pretty cool...not for Tag of course....
Hope this come true!!
This guy can flat out play, he is not getting the minutes he deserve because of Roy. This guy is a good defender and a very good shooter, I hope they can pull it off.. I'd rather have him start than Brewer simply because he can compliment Rose's play style much better than Brewer.
They should just sign roger mason jr and take that team into the season. Keep the picks and see who becomes available at the trade deadline.
Now the bulls are pissing me off they know who t-mac was before he worked out now he's not a good fit quit the bulls@&ting and sign another player who cares who it is but not a Rudy fernandez
For the record first, I like Rudy Fernandez's game and the potential. However, to be fair since oh so many people enjoy talking about T-Mac's cancer potential on team chemistry, good ole Rudy has also pouted about his role and playing time with Portland which is why he is on the trade block. He has also threatened to move back to Spain to force Portland's hand this Summer. Better be consistent and careful what you wish for with this guy. He's not a cheap contract either.
Rudy is a solid player but would go missing for games and is very soft. I and many other Blazer fans wanted Rudy to be good but it just didn't pan out. Raised in Chi-town and transplanted in the NW. If the Bulls can get Rudy I'd do it. Not much risk either, he's cheap and he won't kill your locker room if it doesn't work out.
@santamoniker
I think they're trading him because he wasn't getting PT and didn't want to keep playing behind B-Roy.
Any of those four choices are better than an old broken down ball hog. He is an old 31.
One of these days JJ is going to get it. He's still a kid. I'd hate to see him come to life elsewhere. Rudy's not bad, but if he was great, Portland wouldn't be dangling him.
@ Lee: We have two 2011 2nd round picks, from Utah and Phoenix, and a 2012 1st round pick from Charlotte.
If I had to guess, we'd give up JJ plus both 2nd round picks.
draft picks, we have ours and the bobcat's 1st rounders
I'd be game for that james johnson. Don't give up the taj! I don't know it may be me but if he came to the bulls as a 12th man that would be ridiculous. How deep could a team really be
That's correct, you cannot trade any free agent signee until either December or January.
I'm pretty sure it'll be JJ and/or draft picks.
Honestly, I'd be satisfied with a future 2nd round pick for JJ, but Fernandez would be a huge get for us.
Who could we trade for him? If I'm not mistaken, we cant trade anyone we signed this offseason.. so it better not be Taj. Please take James Johnson off our hands