Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Rudy Fernandez will pass on becoming the highest-paid player in the Spanish ACB, the strongest of the European leagues, to remain in the NBA -- at least for now. According to a report Tuesday on the Spanish sports website Marca.com, Fernandez has decided not to accept a six-year contract offer with Real Madrid for more than $26 million, meaning he will not return to his home country this season regardless of how long the NBA lockout lasts. The 6-foot-6 Fernandez will play out the final year of his contract with the Mavs and then, according to the report, decide where he prefers to continue his career. Dallas traded its 26th overall pick, Jordan Hamilton, to the Portland Trail Blazers for Fernandez as part of a three-team, draft-night swap. The Mavs also sent the 57th pick to Portland and received point guard Petteri Koponen. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=6738790
