The New York Knicks are one NBA team that has a single affiliate team in the NBA D-League; the Westchester Knicks. It gives them an advantage, as you can put the same schemes in place that you have with your NBA team and use it as sort of a minor leagues. It helps so younger players can learn and be better acclimated if they are need at the NBA level. The D-League had their draft over the weekend, and with the second overall pick, the Knicks came away with a potential difference maker in Jimmer Fredette.
Fredette is best known for his performances during his days at BYU. You can type his name into a search on YouTube and see some amazing shooting performances, as Fredette had the green light anytime he touched the ball. Here are some highlights for anyone that is not familiar with him.
Performances and skills like he showcases in the videos is what garnered him a ton of attention leading into the 2011 NBA Draft. While expecting him to score with the ease he did in college would be an unattainable expectation, Fredette was looked at as a lights out shooter that could maybe help a team from deep. He ended up being the 10th overall pick, unfortunately, he ended up in a poor situation with the Sacramento Kings.
He was unable to gain any traction in Sacramento, as the Kings roster seems to always be in constant flux. He has also spent time with the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans, but has been unable to carve out roles with either of those teams as well.
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A big reason for that is the limitations he has. He is a poor defender no matter which guard spot he is defending. He does not have the foot speed or quickness to keep up with many lead guards, nor the size to defend shooting guards. He is also limited as a creator, as he has never averaged more than 4.4 assists per 36 minutes in his NBA career.
Because of that, it is tough to find a consistent role for him thus far in his career. But one thing he certainly has working for him is his jump shot. There is no denying that Fredette can be a lights out shooter when given the chance, as he is a 38.1 percent career shooter from beyond the arc. That is something that the Knicks have witnessed first hand, as Fredette’s career-high of 24 points came against them on an evening he will never forget at Madison Square Garden.
Could this be something we see more of in the future? With the Knicks selecting Fredette second overall in the 2015 NBA D-League draft, there is a chance it could come to fruition. According to ESPN New York, Fredette and his agent had their eyes on the Westchester Knicks in the D-League draft.
"“We talked to them beforehand and we hoped to make it work so I’d be drafted by the Knicks. We had phone conversations from other organizations. We’re very excited the Knicks were interested. I’m from upstate. It’s kind of coming back home. It’s not exactly where I’m from, but it’s definitely exciting to be back in New York. I loved watching the Knicks growing up. To be part of the organization in Westchester is a great opportunity for me to go out and play and hopefully be able to do good things and help the organization.” – Jimmer Fredette in conference call"
One of the reasons not mentioned in that quote, is the fact that the Knicks have an open roster spot. With the somewhat surprising decision to waive 2014 second round pick Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the Knicks opened up the final and 15th roster spot. With the ultimate goal being a return to the NBA, the Knicks offer the best chance for that.
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While we are only four games into the season, the Knicks have been average shooting three pointers. They are knocking them down at a 33 percent clip, which is 15th in the NBA. That percentage is being carried by unsustainable 66.7 percent from both Lance Thomas and Langston Galloway, and 50 percent from Jerian Grant. The expected producers from deep, such as Jose Calderon, Sasha Vujacic and Carmelo Anthony have come up woefully short thus far.
Calderon and Vujacic are the players to keep an eye on in regards to Fredette. The best asset that those two bring to the Knicks is their ability to knock down three-pointers. They are not doing that right now, and it is hurt the Knicks. While they are in no danger of losing their spots or minutes right now, it is something to keep an eye on if their struggles continue and Fredette plays well in the D-League.
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There is some competition on the Westchester Knicks for a potential call up, as the five players waived prior to the regular season, Antetokounmpo, Darion Atkins, Travis Trice, DaJuan Summers and Wesley Saunders, are all on the team. While they have a training camp’s worth of experience over Fredette, none of the three have a skill that has been shown at the NBA level that is sustainable as Fredette has with his three-point shooting.
Fredette obviously has his shortcomings, but his shooting could be a real weapon for the Knicks. We have seen just last season that the Knicks are not afraid to dip into their D-League team. While the roster is much improved this season, you just never know what can happen, and a need for Fredette could arise.