ESP/USA - Fernandez wants to quit Portland

PORTLAND (FIBA World Championship/NBA) - Rudy Fernandez could be heading for a showdown with the Portland Trail Blazers once the FIBA World Championship is over.

The star swingman is in Madrid with the Spain team preparing for the big tournament, but back over in the United States his agent has been working overtime to try to get him out of Portland, where he is unhappy with the role given to him by coach Nate McMillan.

And now things appear to be coming to a head with agent Andy Miller telling the Blazers his client is prepared to be suspended and forfeit the remaining two years on his contract to force through a return to his homeland.

Miller said Fernandez will not report for pre-season training after the FIBA World Championship is over, fed up at the number of trade offers Portland have rejected despite knowing how unhappy he is.

"All I can do now is stand on the roof top and scream 'He's not coming!'," Miller told the Oregonian.

"He's just not coming back ... I've made that clear."

The 25-year-old Fernandez believes McMillan has reduced him to a pure shooter, rather than using his playmaking abilities.

Chicago, New York and Boston have all made offers, but Blazers general manager Rich Cho is "overreaching" according to Miller.

However, Cho said he would not be held to ransom.

"I'm not going to be pressured into making a deal,'' Cho said.

"I'm not going to make a trade just to make a trade.

It has to be the right deal for the team."

The situation has reached the point where Fernandez is ready to give up his NBA career.

"In Rudy's mind, this is long over," Miller said.

"Promises have been made, sacrifices have been made, and it didn't work out."

"I would like to have an amicable divorce," he added.

"That's the best resolution at this point.

I have tried to let them get an asset back but that hasn't worked.

Portland's stance is that they have legal rights, but they can't let this type of thing take place.

"If you send the message that this is how you will treat one of the most highly decorated players in Europe, why would anyone come to you?" Fernandez averaged 10.4 points in his rookie season but his numbers dropped last season to 8.1 points.

He has been a fan favourite in Portland but his relationship with the coach and the front office looks to be past saving.

"Why would anyone want to hold anyone against their will?" Miller asked.

"He's not going to want to practice, he's not going to want to be around his teammates. I mean, if they thought he was difficult when he was contributing, imagine how difficult he will be when he is not."

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