NBA Trade Rumors: Jimmer Fredette and the Most Overrated Players on the Block

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An NBA offseason is often viewed as a period in which free agents find new homes. What we seem to overlook, however, is that there is another form of relocation worth speaking about. That, of course, is the constantly active trade market.

An area which Dwight Howard has dominated for months.

Beyond Howard, however, are a conglomeration of names with independent value. From the ultra talented suffering from depth at their position to the unproven looking for the proper situation, there are handfuls of available assets.

With availability, however, comes overstated greatness. The question is: Who is it that fits the bill of "overrated"?

The following slides will answer just that.

MarShon Brooks

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Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 23

Experience: 1 Season

 

I'm as big a fan of MarShon Brooks as any. I had covered his draft status since his days at Providence and continue to follow him as a writer for the Brooklyn Nets. Nevertheless, Brooks joins another name on this list as someone who simply should not be the key to the Dwight Howard sweepstakes (via Tim Bontemps of the New York Post).

Not after one injury-plagued season.

MarShon Brooks certainly has star potential. He's an outstanding scorer who can take just about any opponent off of the dribble. He's also a streaky jump shooter who can take over a game from the perimeter when hot.

To base a trade for Dwight Howard off of upside, however, simply wouldn't be the right decision to make.

It should be noted that Brooks missed 10 games as a rookie and was constantly playing through pain. While the Providence alum never missed significant time in college, he suffered from similar symptoms throughout his days in the Big East.

Could injuries derail a promising career? Unlikely. They remain a concern, however, for any team looking to acquire the star in the making.

 

2012 Season Averages

29.4 MPG, 12.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG

Jimmer Fredette

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Position: Point Guard

Age: 23

Experience: 1 Season

The Sacramento Kings turned heads this offseason, signing veteran point guard Aaron Brooks. The significance behind this move, of course, is the fact that Sacramento currently has two second-year point guards under contract.

The unexpected breakout star Isaiah Thomas and Top 10 pick Jimmer Fredette. As a result, one of these players has become expendable.

According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, that player just so happens to be the Top 10 draft choice.

Jimmer Fredette had a rough rookie season, averaging 7.6 points and just 1.8 assists in 18.6 minutes per game. His player efficiency rating of 10.84 was far from respectable. His three-point shooting percentage of 36.1 only offered the slightest glimpse of hope.

The man whose name is synonymous with deep three-point field-goal attempts could be on the way out.

This news has drawn interest from a handful of teams, as Amick reports, but it's hard to understand why. Fredette entered the NBA as a positionless player.

His size and weak defense held him back from playing the 2. His poor court vision and facilitating abilities ended any chances of playing the point.

If not, the final pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Isaiah Thomas, made sure those chances came to a close.

 

2012 Season Averages

18.6 MPG, 10.84 PER, 7.6 PPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 RPG, 36.1% 3PT

Carl Landry

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Position: Power Forward

Age: 28

Experience: 5 Seasons

Carl Landry is one of the better scoring big men in the NBA. He has a solid mid-range jump shot and is better from the low post than most players at his position.

Unfortunately, Landry is also a player who struggles to remain healthy and rebounds as poorly as any 4 in the league. He redefines the term liability on defense.

While Carl Landry has always managed to pour in the points in limited minutes, he's never been a legitimate factor on a winning franchise. Aside from a six-game postseason series in 2011, Landry has never been able to contribute when the spotlight is on.

Nevertheless, he has drawn the attention of quite a few teams as they consider a potential sign-and-trade (via Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld).

While he could be of great value to a franchise, the money and players that he's likely to require via a sign-and-trade far exceeds his true worth.

Carl Landry is a fine player to have but quite overrated in this period of free agency.

 

2012 Season Averages

24.4 MPG, 18.31 PER, 12.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 

Brook Lopez

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Position: Center

Age: 24

Experience: 4 Years

 

Am I the only one questioning how Brook Lopez could be the key to a trade for Dwight Howard? If not, you're likely going to say the same thing as I am (via Dan Devine of Yahoo! Sports).

How is it that a center who averaged 5.9 rebounds per game is even close to the value of Dwight Howard?

If there is an answer to that question, one simply cannot overlook the following rebuttal: How can a player who is not strong enough to play the 5 and far too slow to play the 4 become a franchise player?

The answer is simple: He can't.

Nevertheless, Brook Lopez has been looked to as a player with limitless value. While his scoring ability is undeniable, he's never played in a postseason game. This is important to note, as Lopez has almost always been the best player on the Nets.

While that will change in Brooklyn, it's hard to imagine a Howard-to-the-Nets move leading to Lopez being surrounded by top-tier talent. Years in the basement could be on the way for any team who trades to acquire Brook Lopez.

 

2011 Season Averages

20.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.5 BPG

Derrick Williams

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Position: Forward

Age: 21

Experience: 1 Year

 

We often mistake draft position for the true value of a young player. In the case of last year's second overall draft choice, Derrick Williams, that label is perfectly applicable.

Williams is being dangled as trade bait by the Minnesota Timberwolves (via the Washington Post, h/t Associated Press).

This has caught the attention of many around the league and caused some to question how the T-Wolves could be so quick to give up on such a highly touted prospect.

What we all seem to forget, however, is how weak the 2011 class of prospects truly was. While Williams may have gone second overall in 2011, he may not have found the draft lottery in 2012.

As is the life of a player without a position.

Should a franchise land Derrick Williams, the upside is clearly there. He's an outstanding athlete who's dominant on the glass. He's also a solid defender with a great passion for the game. Unfortunately, he's too small to play the 4 and far too weak a ball-handler and shooter to run the 3.

When you don't know where you'll play someone, why trade for them?

 

2012 Season Averages

21.5 MPG, 12.98 PER, 8.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 41.2% FG