Jimmer Fredette is officially looking for a job after the Sacramento Kings completed a buyout of the young point guard. Fredette's career never truly came to fruition with the Kings after a successful college career at BYU. When the team failed to trade him by the deadline, they opted to just byout his contract despite Fredette approaching free agency this summer. Now on the market, a few teams could make a run at the point guard in the coming week.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Chicago Bulls could have real interest in adding Fredette. The team did not make any real trades at the deadline after sending Luol Deng packing earlier in the season and could be looking to make roster additions. Head coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed the team was scouting the market for possibilities.
"We could," Thibodeau said, via ESPN.com. "I know [general manager] Gar [Forman] and [executive VP] John [Paxson] are looking at the market and watching how it shapes up. Again, if something is a good fit for us and we think can help then we may take a shot at it."
The veteran market appears relatively weak. Glen Davis was signed to the Los Angeles Clippers. Danny Granger is available, but is leaning towards signing with the Clippers as well. Beno Udrih was picked up by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Miami Heat are favoring Caron Butler. That could leave the Bulls with very options if they wait too long.
The team does have salary cap issues, but could simply sign Fredette for the remainder of the season and let him hit the market again in the summer. Chicago needs scorers and Fredette can certainly do that in the right environment. If the point guard impresses, a long-term deal could be the outcome in free agency.
If the Chicago Bulls do not make a move on Fredette, the San Antonio Spurs could be a solid option. The team is still trying to land either Granger or Butler, but appears more likely to miss out on both players to teams higher up in the conference rankings. With Tony Parker out with injury, the need for Fredette is there.
One team that could be a dark horse to land the point guard is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal reports that the Cavaliers are evaluating injuries to Dion Waiters and CJ Miles before making a decision on Fredette. Both players are expected to miss time, but it is unknown how long. Fredette will likely have to wait at least another week before knowing his future.
