Pistons Add Depth To Wing
20 August 2012
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The Detroit Pistons signed swingmen Josh Childress and Rudy Fernandez to three year contracts with both deals a result of the influence of new front office member Robert ‘Bobby’ Jones. Jones has come from Europe and used those ties to get in contact with Fernandez. His own contacts also convinced him that Childress was a player worthy of an NBA contract.
Fernandez had originally committed to returning to play in Europe for Real Madrid. Jones, a former player Barcelona and in the same league as Real Madrid, reached out to some friends of his and convinced all parties to side on a deal to release Fernandez from his contract so that he may return to the NBA.
It was not all steady sailing as Fernandez demanded to know that he had a set role with the team. The 27 year old shooting guard is expected to be an important bench player but with the prospect of starting in the near future. The Spanish guard averaged 8.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.4 apg in 31 games played for Denver last season. He had played for the Portland Trailblazers for the three preceding seasons and will be reunited with teammate Greg Oden.
Childress was an easier catch but the Pistons only pursued the 29 year old after he was recommended to Jones. Childress spent time in Europe and impressed one of Jones’ closest friends in the Greek league.
Childress struggled last season as he finished with 2.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg in 34 games played with the Phoenix Suns. He is hoping to return to form in the NBA and Pistons fans will be hoping he gets closer to the 13 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 spg that he averaged back in 2008-09 with the Atlanta Hawks. That was the season before he went to play in Europe.
“We are happy with our moves,” Pistons GM Joe Dumars addressed reporters, “We were a fringe playoff side last season and I think that we are a possible seven or eight seed with these moves.”