. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The NBA fined Trail Blazers swingman Rudy Fernandez $25,000 for public statements that are "detrimental" to the league.
The fine was imposed on Thursday, a day after Fernandez's agent said the Spaniard he did not want to return to the Blazers this season.
Agent Andy Miller told several media outlets that Fernandez wants to play in Europe and is willing to sit out for the next two seasons, the time left on his contract with the Blazers.
NBA rules prohibit players and their agents from publicly asking for a trade.
Blazers general manager Rich Cho said Wednesday that the team has looked at several possible deals involving Fernandez, but none of them have made sense for Portland.
A fan favorite, Fernandez has been unhappy about his playing time. Known for his 3-point shot and energy off the bench, he averaged 8.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2 assists last season but missed 20 games with injuries.
In his rookie season the year before, Fernandez averaged 10.4 points and 25.5 minutes, and set an NBA rookie record with 159 3-pointers.
Fernandez was voted by fans into the All-Star game's slam dunk contest his rookie year. He was the 24th overall pick in the 2008 draft by Phoenix, acquired on draft night by the Blazers for $3 million.
Miller could not immediately be reached for comment by The Associated Press.
Fernandez is currently playing for the Spanish national team, which will play the U.S. national team in Madrid on Sunday, an exhibition for the upcoming world championships.
Blazers coach Nate McMillan is an assistant for Team USA.