NBA Draft 2011: How High Can Jimmer Fredette Go?
The NBA and college basketball seasons may only be halfway done, but there's already a big discussion on where Jimmer Fredette will go in the draft.
Fredette is currently the leading scorer in college basketball, averaging 27.4 points per game, and proved that he can play in big games by dropping 43 on then-undefeated sixth ranked San Diego State Wednesday night.
But, the question is can Fredette play like this in the NBA, or is he just the perfect college basketball player?
I have compiled a list of NBA teams I think could use Fredette in the draft, based on if the season ended today. Feel free to add your own teams in the comments section.
#14 Phoenix Suns
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The earliest I see Fredette getting drafted is #14 overall to the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns' two leading scorers are both guards right now, so at first, this does not look like a great fit. But then, you look at their ages and have to assume some sort of drop-off will come soon. Steve Nash is 36 while Vince Carter is 34, both pretty old to still be playing professional sports.
What would also make this a great pick for the Suns would be that Nash would do a great job of driving and dishing it out to an open Fredette for three.
#16 Memphis Grizzles
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The Memphis Grizzlies get most of their scoring from the forward position, and don't really have a set starting shooting guard. O.J. Mayo had started 15 games, Xavier Henry has started 16 and Sam Young has started 10.
Fredette could give them some stability at the position, while also adding some scoring from the position too.
The argument can be made that they have too many young guards already, but it's not often that such a phenomenal scorer such as Fredette comes along, and the Grizzles may jump on the chance to have him.
#17 New York Knicks
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Imagine if this guy from little BYU came to the big lights of New York City. I'm sure the New York Knicks would love that, as they have almost no guard scoring.
Fredette would fit in right along side Raymond Felton, who has really proved himself of late. The Knicks need an Allan Houston-like shooter, and Fredette is that.
The Knicks are a team that is on the rise. The addition of Fredette in the draft would make them a dual-threat team with him shooting on the perimeter and Stoudemire down low.
#19 Utah Jazz
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As opposed to going all the way to New York, Fredette could stay close to home and play for the local Utah Jazz. This would not only be a smart move because the Jazz would already have a lot of Fredette fans in their backyard, but also because it would really help the team in their weakest spot.
The Jazz really lack a scoring shooting guard, with Raja Bell averaging just below eight per game. If the Jazz could combine the passing abilities of Deron Williams with the sweet shot of Jimmer Fredette, then they could become a top-notch team.
#22 Oklahoma City Thunder
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What a scoring duo this would be: Kevin Durant and Jimmer Fredette. On Wednesday night, they combined to score 90 in each of their respective games; put them on the same team and it seems like the Thunder would be a scoring juggernaut.
The Thunder have great guard play from Russell Westbrook as well, who is developing into a top of the league point guard. Fredette would play well alongside him, and would propel the Thunder from seventh in points per game to probably the top three.
Durant already called Fredette "the best scorer in the World" on Twitter, and would love to have Fredette come play by his side.
#25 New Orleans Hornets
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The Hornets are another team that has a great point guard, and no shooting guard to reap the benefits. Chris Paul is one of the best in the league when he plays well, and would work great with Fredette in my opinion.
Marco Belinelli has started 45 games for the Hornets, but has only been able to play about 26 minutes, scoring 10.5 a game. If the Hornets got Fredette, they could fill those minutes and also get some more point production out of the position.
#31 Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Cavilers would be crazy to pick Fredette with the first pick, but if he were to come all the way around to the second round, I think they would be happy to add him to the team.
Right now, the Cavilers can not get much of anything going and really need a born scorer. Fredette would fill that void, but to be honest they have bigger problems that need to be fixed first, hence drafting him in the second round.
Mo Williams showed that he can be a great guard when he played with LeBron, and would probably be able to dish out a few assists to Fredette. The problem here would be that Fredette would be their only scoring threat, and teams would be able to focus on stopping him from outside the three-point line.
#37 Detroit Pistons
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The Detroit Pistons flat out need a scorer. They are currently ranked 25th in points per game, and could use a guy like Fredette who can possibly put up 40 once in a while.
Right now, they have Richard Hamilton, who, although had a great career, seems to be on the downswing now and could be out of the league in a few years.
The Pistons need to give their fans something to cheer about, and the drafting of Fredette could possibly do that.
#39 Indiana Pacers
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If Fredette drops this far, I'm pretty sure that the Pacers would jump on the opportunity to add him. The Pacers roster is a mess right now and has a bunch of different guys starting every night.
Fredette would at least give them some stability at the guard slot and also a shooter, something the team is lacking. Similar to the Thunder, I think Fredette would fit in well between Granger and Collison.
Although Brandon Rush could be an upcoming star, I think I like Fredette's upside better.
