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SALT LAKE CITY — Fingers crossed, the Jimmer Fredette experiment in Sacramento looks to be coming to a merciful end; for both parties.
Chad Ford of ESPN says:
The Sacramento Kings are looking to acquire a second first-round pick and are using guard Jimmer Fredette as bait. Sources say the Kings have reached out to a number of teams in the mid-to-late first round in an attempt to secure another pick. Both the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz are potential destinations for Jimmer. Kings coach Mike Malone is enamored with both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tony Snell, but the Kings feel that they can get them much lower in the draft.
From the beginning, this was a bad situation for the Kings, but even worse for Jimmer.
Saddled with a player they didn't want (the Maloofs basically forced the front-office to draft Jimmer), Kings' coaches seemed intent on taking out their frustrations on Fredette with the single most powerful tool in a coach's hand, minutes.
It didn't help that Fredette plays less defense than a Kardashian on a Friday night, but Fredette never got the big minutes that a top 10 pick expects.
By game 22 of his rookie season, Fredette got his first DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach's Decision); probably, ever.
This was coming off a five-game stretch where Fredette had averaged 14.2 ppg, 44% FG (23-52), and 60% 3PFG (15-25).
No crying over spilled milk, the ostracization of BYU's all-time leading scorer is about to end. The Kings are selling and NBA teams are shopping.
Fredette averaged 7.4 ppg in 16.2 mpg in two seasons with the Kings. He shot 40% from the field, and 38% from 3-point land. Hardly numbers that would demand a high asking price.
The Kings have clearly written Fredette off as a loss on investment.
Fredette had moments when he shined, but he was mostly buried deep in the cavernous abyss of the Kings' bench.
Now it's time to #FreeJimmer. Rid him of the huge expectations that go with being a top 10 pick and let him be a nice role player; but, for a different NBA team.
The NBA is desperate for shooting and Fredette is still a sniper. The Spurs Danny Green proved as much when he was draining 3's at a record pace in the NBA Finals.
I don't know if he fits well with the Jazz, my blue-goggled Jimmermania prevents me from being objective on this singular issue.
I do know that he needs a change of scenery.
I don't know if that is in Indiana, Utah or Spain.
