Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Rudy Fernandez' list of teams isn't four but cinco: Knicks, Nets, Bulls, Celtics and that awful team in South Florida featuring LeCon
According to a Blazers source, the club is looking to get draft picks in return for Fernandez, who no longer wants to serve as Brandon Roy's backup.
Frank Isola/Twitter & New York Daily News
We might be able to cross Chicago off that list - KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune says a trade with the Bulls is a long shot possibility.
Here's Rudy Fernandez' contract situation - $1.2 million in 10/11 with a $2.1 million team option for 11/12.
What would the 6-6 Fernandez bring to the Celtics? Here's John Hollinger's scouting report:
A rail-thin guard with tremendous leaping ability, Fernandez rarely makes use of his hops because he struggles to get to the rim off the dribble. Fernandez is very good at cutting along the baseline for alley-oops...
Fernandez is outstanding moving without the ball in general, reminiscent of a Reggie Miller or Richard Hamilton, and he draws a lot of fouls this way. Off the catch, he primarily looks to shoot immediately. He'll pass and cut if the shot isn't there, but every so often he'll get a wild hair and try a daring, creative and impossible pass that either ends up in Row 17 or starts a 3-on-1 the other way.
Defensively, Fernandez's lack of strength means the Blazers have to monitor his matchups carefully. He often guarded the opponent's point guard... Fernandez does fine as long as he covers quick guys or non-scorers, but big wings steamroll him.
Rudy clearly isn't the wing-defender the Celtics desperately need. And... with Avery Bradley in the mix, is there room for Rudy and Nate Robinson?
On Page 2, the latest on Nate Rob's contract negotiations.
Okay Danny, what you gonna do? We are getting antsy.The Celtics continue to negotiate with Nate Robinson over a new contract, though talks appear to have shifted into lower gear.
The guard, according to agent Aaron Goodwin, has made some concessions, and is now waiting for some movement on the part of the Celtics. Goodwin wouldn’t specify the terms currently under dispute.
“I feel like Nate has given them some options, and a concession has been made,” said Goodwin, who on Monday said negotiations had a chance to be resolved by the end of the week. “Now it’s up to them.”
Matt Barnes said he will announce his decision today, so we'll keep you posted on that.
The rest of the links:Herald - Pierce seeing future | CBS - Celtics monitoring Shaq situation | Globe - Dancers final auditions | Frankly, new coach will be net gain | Celtics Hub - The (gulp) minimum bin | ESPN Boston - Pierce getting anxious |