Jimmer Fredette will try to resurrect his NBA career from Westchester.
The Westchester Knicks — an affiliate of the New York Knicks — selected Fredette with the No. 2 pick in the D-League draft on Saturday. Fredette will have to make the roster through training camp, although that seems likely (especially considering his marketing draw). He will join a Westchester team with Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Darnell Jackson, J.R. Inman and others.
The No. 1 pick was former Spur power forward Jeff Ayres, taken by Idaho.
Fredette had been invited to Spurs training camp this season, which seemed a great landing spot because they have rejuvenated the careers of shooters before. However, he did not make the cut on the deep, veteran roster. Rather than chase a larger paycheck in Europe, he decided to go the D-League route.
A former lottery pick, through Fredette’s four-year NBA career he has struggled to find a role. Some of his wounds were self-inflicted — he turned off coaches and scouts by saying he should have the ball in his hands (like college), but he lacks the playmaking skills or athleticism to create shots at the NBA level. He was slow to adapt to an NBA game. However, the biggest issue has been defense — he struggles mightily on that end of the floor.
Maybe he can show improvement and prove his doubters wrong at the D-League level, earning another chance at the NBA level. Guys who can shoot are always in demand. But Fredette has a lot of work to do before NBA teams turn back to him as an option.
Former Thunder player Perry Jones III went third in the draft, followed by Cartier Martin, both selected by Iowa.