After failing to pull off a trade at the deadline, the New York Knicks are still searching for backcourt help to guide them in the second half of the season. New head coach Kurt Ranbis has stressed the need for help to the trio of Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant. With a trade now out of the question, the Knicks will turn to D-League star, Jimmer Fredette.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, the Knicks will sign Fredette on Monday to a 10-day contract. Fredette is currently playing for the Westchester Knicks in the D-League where he is averaging 22.3 points and 4.8 assists. He is fresh off winning the MVP award at the D-League All-Star game where he recorded. Now he will get a chance to prove himself as Rambis expects Fredette to provide shooting help.
"He obviously can shoot the basketball; that's what he's known for," Rambis said, via ESPN.com. "We've got to see if he can actually handle the basketball and be able to create shots for himself and create shots for others within the team concept, so it will be an adjustment for him. It's not going to be an easy transition and guys who are in the D-League."
Fredette has struggled to find his niche in the NBA. The guard was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the No.10 pick in 2011 and has bounced around in the league since. There is a need for someone like Fredette and he will get a chance to prove himself as doubt remains in players like Calderon and Grant. The Knicks tried to trade Calderon, but will start him after no deal was found. Grant is preparing to get a reduced role on the team after his struggles on the season.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks are reducing the role of Grant in the second half of the season as Rambis hopes to focus more on developing the rookie and getting him to mature more. The Knicks need Grant to develop into a star, but that is clearly going to take longer than expected.
"He's just a young player,'' Rambis said, via the New York Post. "He's growing, maturing, developing. There's a lot to learn. The point-guard position in the NBA is the most difficult position to learn."
The Knicks will test Fredette. Last season they signed Lance Thomas and Galloway to similar contracts. According to Begley the team could also target someone like Kevin Martin if the guard has his contract bought out by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
