ESP/USA - Denver acquire Rudy in trade; re-sign Nene

DENVER (NBA) - The Dallas Mavericks have traded swingman Rudy Fernandez to the Denver Nuggets.

The Spain international, who was dealt to the Mavs in June by Portland and then played with Real Madrid during the NBA lockout, has moved to the Nuggets along with Corey Brewer.

The Mavs secured a future second-round draft pick in the deal.

Additionally, Denver have reportedly agreed with center Nene on a five-year deal that could earn the Brazilian up to $67million.

Playing time would have been an issue for Fernandez in Dallas, who had just signed swingman Vince Carter and also have guards Rodrigue Beaubois, Delonte West and star Jason Terry.

The two-time Olympian, who is only 26, is a spark in a Spain squad that will be going for another podium finish at the London Games.

They claimed a silver medal at the Beijing Games in 2008.

Fernandez, who thrives in the open court, may be a perfect fit for Denver coach George Karl.

The player will make around $2.1million this season and has a qualifying offer of about $3.1million for next season.

He averaged 10.4 points per game as a rookie, then 8.1 and 8.6 the last couple of seasons.

"We are excited to add two talented young wing players who have proven themselves in the NBA," said Denver's executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri.

"They add depth to our roster, something that helped us finish strong last season, and I'm confident they will fit well with Coach Karl's style of play."

Nene expected back

The Nuggets spoke about Nene's return to the team as being crucial.

"Extremely (important)," Ujiri said to the Denver Post.

"I think with all the momentum from last year, it's tough to lose players because we're trying to build this way a certain way.

"We need key players and Nene is a key player. He will be huge part of the Nuggets going forward."

Nene averaged 14.5 points per game and 7.6 rebounds last season for the Nuggets.

Nene hasn't played for Brazil in a major tournament since the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship but still could feature for the team at next year's Olympics.

The Nuggets also have Danilo Gallinari of Italy and Timofey Mozgov of Russia on the books.

FIBA