Two days after celebrating his 25th birthday, point guard Jimmer Fredette will soon be celebrating a new opportunity in his young NBA career.
Thursday afternoon, he and the Sacramento Kings agreed to a buyout that will enable him to sign with any team for the remainder of the season—so long as he clears waivers and signs with said team by the March 1 deadline (for playoff eligibility).
[Schlomo Sprung: Free Agency Update]
Fredette, the 10th pick of the 2011 NBA draft, was in the last year of his rookie contract. He is garnering interest among some playoff contending teams—and respectfully so, he is shooting over 49-percent from three this season.
An all-around class act, he made sure to thank everyone in Sacramento for his time there.
I wanted to thank the kings fans, coaches, my teammates, and @Vivek for my opportunity in Sacramento. I have made some life long friends
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) February 27, 2014
Here and appreciate everyone involved. Excited to start the new phase of my career! Thanks to all again.
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) February 27, 2014
His gratitude was accepted with well-wishes by Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé and former teammate Carl Landry.
Good luck @jimmerfredette. Class act. World’s best 3-point shooter. I will be cheering for you.
— Vivek Ranadivé (@Vivek) February 27, 2014
Good Luck to my boy @jimmerfredette He was a true professional everyday and whoever picks him up will be more than happy #ForeverPurple
— Carl Landry (@CarlLandry) February 27, 2014
As good as Fredette has been shooting from long range this year, it’s easy to see why his buyout is getting so much attention. Three-point shooting is a premium among playoff contending teams.
However, NBA.com reporter and TNT analyst David Aldridge is reporting that he may have already lined up his next gig.
@jimmerfredette “strongly leaning” toward joining Bulls once he clears waivers, per source. Fredette and Kings finalized buyout Thursday.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) February 27, 2014
With Derrick Rose out for the year with another knee injury and the Bulls’ backcourt lineup thin already, Jimmermania may prove to have an immediate impact in the Windy City, should a deal get struck between the two tomorrow.
There is little more than a day before the NBA deadline for playoff eligibility, so whatever move Fredette makes, going forward, it will happen soon.
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Michael writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin
Is Sacramento’s consistent putridness more the fault of Geoff Petrie or the Maloofs? Other than Cleveland, I can’t think of any team that so consistently shoots blanks in the draft like a porn star immediately after washing down three Xanax tablets with a case of Foster’s Lager.