Jimmer Fredette Best Landing Spots

There is always a debate surrounding Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette, whether it is his position at either a PG or SG, his athleticism, his ability on defense, or even if he can make it in the NBA or not there is always a difference of opinion whenever Jimmer is brought up. Jimmer started off the NBA preseason last year looking pretty strong but as the season wore on and the Kings underwent a coaching change, he saw his minutes dramatically cut. He finished out the season averaging a sub-par 7.6 PPG, and 1.8 APG. The Kings are obviously not the best system for Jimmer as they run sets focusing on individual players like Demarcus Cousins and Marcus Thorton instead of a free-flowing offense like Fredette was used to at his alma mater BYU.

On July 16^th the Kings signed Aaron Brooks to a two-year deal. Brook’s signing causes a logjam in the backcourt for the Kings with Tyreke Evans (who can play the 1 or 2), Isiah Thomas, Fredette, and now Brooks all competing for minutes at the PG role. This has caused many analysts to wonder if Fredette could soon be traded. There have been reports that Jimmer is now on the trade market so what teams would benefit the former Naismith Player of the Year the most? Here are my top 5. All trades work through ESPN’s Trade Machine.

5. Utah Jazz-

SAC GETS- Demare Carroll, Jamal Tinsley, Future 1^st round pick

UTH GETS- Jimmer Fredette, Tyler Honeycutt

While the Jazz just signing guard Randy Foye pretty much puts the nail in the coffin for any Jimmer deal you never know with Kevin O’Connor. Jimmer would help spread the floor for a team that shot poorly from the three point line last season. He could get comfortable in his old stomping grounds in Utah and would have a large fan base off the bat. Sacramento gets a reliable back-up at SF and a mentor at PG to help Isiah Thomas plus a future 1^st round pick. Utah is a decent fit for The Jimmer.

4. Chicago Bulls-

SAC GETS-Rip Hamilton

CHI GETS- Jimmer Fredette, James Johnson, Future 1^st rounder

Chicago let guard Kyle Korver walk this offseason so they are in need of three point threats. Jimmer would be the perfect guy for the job. He would just have to get open out on the three point line and wait for dishes from Derrick Rose or one of the Bulls bigs. He has more potential than Korver as he is capable of becoming more than just a three point specialist.  James Johnson provides a backup behind Luol Deng at the three spot and they get a first round pick. Sacramento gets Hamilton who only has a two year deal so if he isn’t productive like he was in Detroit they can use him as an expiring contract. Chicago is an ok fit for The Jimmer.

3. Indiana Pacers-

SAC GETS- Jeff Pendergraph, 1^st round pick

IND GETS- Jimmer Fredette

Indiana takes a risk by giving up a first rounder to get Fredette but it could be a move that helps the team in the long run. Jimmer would start off the season contending to be the 2^nd or 3^rd PG off the bench (depending on whether Hill or Augustin start at the one) and the 2^nd SG off the bench with Gerald Green. The Kings get Pendergraph an expiring contract to shed money and a 1^st round pick that could help with the team’s youth movement. Indiana is an ok fit for The Jimmer.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

SAC GETS- Dante Cunningham and 1^st round pick

MIN GETS-Jimmer Fredette and 2^nd round pick

With only one SG, Brandon Roy, on the Timberwolves roster as of now they will be looking to acquire more depth at the position. They swap a 1^st rounder for a 2^nd rounder and get rid of Dante Cunningham and also receive Jimmer who would be a good SG shooter to come off the bench. Sacramento gets a first rounder out of the deal that with Minnesota’s history could be a fairly high pick. Jimmer would fit well in Minnesota playing with great passer Ricky Rubio, an awesome outlet big man passer in Kevin Love and coming off the bench behind Brandon Roy who could also teach Jimmer a lot about the NBA. The Timberwolves are a really good fit for The Jimmer.

1. Phoenix Suns

SAC GETS- Sebastian Telfair, 2^nd Round pick

PHX GETS-Jimmer Fredette

The Kings would be getting a good back-up PG and if Telfair underperforms he only has a one year deal and can be used as an expiring contract. The Suns throw in a 2^nd rounder to sweeten the deal a little also. The Suns pay a relatively cheap price for an experiment in Fredette. Jimmer could have the chance to start off the bat at SG as the Suns don’t really have a true player at that position. I don’t consider Wesley Johnson a two as much as a three. He would also get a chance at PG if Goran Dragic and Kendall Marshall struggle early in the season but the best thing about Phoenix for Jimmer would be their up-tempo offense. The Suns offense is fairly similar to the one Jimmer thrived in college and could help his career tremendously! Jimmermania could once again exist, just in the desert this time. The Suns are a great fit for The Jimmer.

How the Bulls should follow San Antonio's example

It is 1996 with the Spurs playing the regular season opener against the Miami Heat. San Antonio’s MVP center David Robinson goes down with a broken foot ultimately leading to a season ending injury to the Admiral. The Spurs season goes down the toilet ending up with a dismal 20-62.

Now it is game one of the first round matchup in the NBA Playoffs between the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76’ers. Late in the game reigning MVP Derrick Rose goes down to the hardwood and rolls around in obvious agony. It is later found out that the Bull’s all-star point guard has torn his ACL and is done for the rest of the season. The Bulls championship hopes go out the window as they are beat by the 8^th seeded 76’ers four games to two.

Derrick Rose’s injury is put on a time-table to keep him out of the game until at least January of the 2012-2013 season. As we all saw in the playoffs the Bulls are not the same team without Rose and without him they are not championship contenders. Chicago almost might as well give up the whole 2012-2013 season as well.

With their terrible record of 20-62 the Spurs land themselves the third worst record in the NBA that year and the third best chance of getting the number one pick in the NBA Draft. The ping pong balls bounced and the Spurs lucked out getting the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 draft. San Antonio drafted Tim Duncan and the rest is history winning four NBA titles along the way with their “Twin Towers” The Admiral and The Big Fundamental.

If the Bulls are smart they are poised to do the exact same thing. If I were the Bull’s GM I would keep Rose out the whole 2012-2013 season. Let him fully recover and come back the next year to play at 100%. If that were to happen the Bulls would not be very good at all. They take a page out of the Spurs book and 2013-2014 season they have a healthy Rose and a top 10 overall draft pick. That could help propel them to a title over Eastern Conference giants the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets and ultimately help Rose and the Bulls win championships.