Now that the Sacramento Kings have bought out the contract of Jimmer Fredette, it’s time for the bidding to begin, and it looks like the Chicago Bulls are the team he wants to play for, although the Cleveland Cavaliers are also trying to get the young guard to sign for them.
The 10th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Fredette has been a disappointment so far in his NBA career, averaging 7 points per game in almost three seasons with the Kings. But there still is a place for him in the league, if coaches are willing to use him in the right role, which means being a shooter in a system that doesn’t force him to create his own shot.
Fredette has had big games this year and his shooting 49.3% from beyond the arc and 55.9% on catch-and-shoots. The Bulls would really like to add someone who can make spacing the floor a much more viable option for them, as they are lacking in shooters. There are also his defensive issues that have been part of his disappointing NBA career so far, but the Bulls have shown that they have the system that makes up for that if there’s just one weak link in the lineup.
However, even though it seems Fredette himself would prefer to play for Chicago he needs to clear waivers first and then sign with the Bulls. The Cavs, who are trying to add everything in their sights to improve their chances of making the playoffs are also interested.
However, Cleveland don’t have more money to offer than Chicago, which means that if it’s picking between the two teams and the veteran’s minimum, it’s hard not to go with the Bulls who are going to be in the playoffs, and have a system, coaching and culture situation that is superior to the Cavs in pretty much every factor and aspect, making it an easy choice for the former BYU star. Remember, this isn’t only about playing for a team with a chance to succeed: It’s about finding a team and system that will give him the minutes to become a factor and show that he deserves another NBA contract.