Is Jimmer Fredette Headed to Chicago?
Jimmer Fredette is almost a free man, as the Sacramento Kings are working on a contract buyout with the third year guard out of Brigham Young. If the Chicago Bulls get their way, the fans in Chicago may soon be doing the “Jimmer.” Fredette has spent the week in buyout negotiations with the Kings that should be completed in advance of the league’s Saturday midnight deadline, which would allow the former BYU star to be eligible to appear in the playoffs with another team.
Jimmer’s representative stated that Fredette is strongly leaning to signing with a contender in the Eastern Conference. Rumor has it that the contender in question is the Chicago Bulls. The second Eastern conference option appears to be the Cleveland Cavaliers. ESPN has reported that the Memphis Grizzlies had been in hot pursuit of Jimmer, but they have backed off now that they signed former Knick guard Beno Udrih.
It appears that the Bulls view Jimmer as a short term roster addition, for the remainder of this season, that can help the Bulls shore up a weakness: long range shooting. Plus, Fredette would have to come at a price tag that the Bulls could fit on their roster without hitting the luxury tax threshold. Mark Stein of ESPN tweeted that the Bulls have become a “darkhorse” contender to sign Jimmer.
Fredette would join a long list of top notch shooters to come off the Bulls bench recently. Three seasons ago, Kyle Korver filled the role with the Bulls “Bench Mob”, while Marco Belinelli and Nate Robinson excelled last season. This year, the Bulls rely on Mike Dunleavy and the mid-season pick up. DJ Augustin to man the shooter position.
Fredette could become an important part of the rotation for the Bulls if acquired for the playoffs. The Bulls are currently in a fight for the three seed in the Conference with the Toronto Raptors. The Bulls have been handcuffed all season by luxury-tax concerns but, according to sources, quickly threw themselves into the Fredette mix after it became apparent this week that the sharpshooter would be parting company with Sacramento. Chicago is roughly $600,000 below the luxury-tax threshold and believes it can sign a player to a prorated minimum deal and avoid going down as a tax team at season’s end.
As reported by the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls have expressed interest in Danny Granger of the Pacers and Caron Butler, who recently completed his buyout with the Bucks. If unable to land either Granger or Butler, higher profile players than Fredette, Jimmer would be a good fall back option that could help the Bulls this season.
Jimmer has never been known for his defensive prowess while in college or his short time in the NBA. Would he fit in with the Bulls, long known under Tom Thibodeau as a top defensive team, but one that clearly needs offense this season with Derrick Rose out for the season.
Bulls fans: Would it be a strong pick up if the Bulls were able to sign Jimmer Fredette? Let us know, with your comments.
