Rudy Fernandez

Fernandez was traded to the Mavericks this offseason in a little talked about move on the day of the 2011 NBA Draft. It’s believed he’ll win the shooting guard job for the Mavs during the preseason and enter the year with his first real starting gig. Through nine starts as the Blazers’ starting shooting guard over the course of his first three seasons in the NBA Fernandez averaged 12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.2 three-pointers, 1.1 steal, and 1.3 turnovers. He has the ability to be a dynamic playmaker, but he was never given the opportunity to fill that role with Brandon Roy ahead of him in Portland. With Jason Kidd and Jason Terry well into their thirties, the Mavs have been searching for younger players to step up and claim larger roles. J.J. Barea filled a big role for them off the bench last season, and Rodrigue Beaubois is still developing into a viable option. Fernandez’s ability to play both wing positions and his length could prompt the Mavs to lean on him heavily in the coming season.