Jimmer Fredette Trade Rumors: New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves Possible Destination For Kings Guard?

Recent reports have the Sacramento Kings aggressively seeking a trade partner, a possible sign that reserve guard Jimmer Fredette could don a new jersey in the near future.

Pursuing veterans in exchange for picks and a plethora of young talent, the Kings have reportedly offered up the entire roster, with burly center DeMarcus Cousins and rookie guard Ben McLemore being the only exceptions.

Winners of two straight but 4-7 on the year, the Kings are still seen as a team a year or two away from competing in the West. Still, an infusion of veterans could help the development of the immature Cousins and the burgeoning McLemore.

Fredette’s departure is seen as imminent either at the conclusion of the season, or via trade. Three weeks ago the Kings declined his $3.1 million team option, making the 24-year-old an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Trapped behind a slew of guards for the last three years, Fredette has been limited to 13.3 minutes in four appearances this season. He has earned some more court time in Sacramento’s last two games, going 3-for-4 from three-point range, but it could be the team’s way of showcasing Fredette for a possible trade.

Several squads, both under and overachieving this season, have been rumored to be in the market including the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The 3-8 Knicks were tied to one move for injured Boston point guard Rajon Rondo, sending guard Iman Shumpert and forward Amar’e Stoudemire to the Celtics.

The Knicks are limited at this juncture of the season, but come mid-December can move the majority of the roster due to the NBA’s rule about trading freshly signed players. Roughly $15 million above the luxury tax level, New York would also have to find a way to move the final $45 million on Stoudemire’s contract.

A package of Fredette and rookie point guard Ray McCallum for Shumpert and rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. works out salary wise and would greatly improve the Knicks deep shooting. The Knicks are second in the NBA with 25.7 three point attempts per game, but 25th in three-point percentage.

It would be a return home of sorts for Fredette, who originally hails from upstate New York in Glen Falls.

According to reports, the Timberwolves have been actively shopping forward Derrick Williams and guard Alexey Shved, but neither has the NBA experience nor presence to make a serious impact on the Kings' postseason aspirations.

Fredette’s sharpshooting could make an already lethal Wolves offense even scarier. The Wolves are eighth in the league in offensive efficiency, and in fifth in points (107.0) and assists (24.4) per game. However, they are lacking a reliable deep threat, ranking 19th from beyond the arc at a .341 clip.