Jimmer Fredette: 10 NBA Teams We Would Love To See Draft The BYU Star

Jimmer Fredette is the hottest topic in college sports right now. The senior guard leads the nation in PPG with 27.4 and also averages 4.2 assists/game, 3.4 rebounds/game, 1.3 steals/game and has a 3 pt. percentage of .421.

His BYU Cougars are currently 20-1 and ranked No. 9 in the nation after defeating No. 4 San Diego State on January 26.

Despite leading his team to a great season thus far, most mock drafts project the guard to drop somewhere around the 15^th and 20^th picks in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The biggest concern about Fredette is that many people look at him as the second-coming of Adam Morrison, the former Gonzaga standout who is nothing but a benchwarmer for the Los Angeles Lakers.

10. Cleveland Cavaliers

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 25: Member of the Cleveland Cavaliers react on the bench as they lose their 18th straight game this season on January 25, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 112-95. NOTE TO USER

The Cleveland Cavaliers? I know exactly what you are thinking. Who cares about the Cavs now that LeBron is gone?

If Fredette went to Cleveland, then Cavs fans would have something to be excited about again. I am one of those people who feels sorry for the Cavs after LeBron “took his talents to South Beach.”

Instead of being a “witness” to LeBron maybe they could be a “witness” to Jimmer Fredette becoming the next big thing in the NBA. It is a long shot, but it is better than any other options the lowly Cavs have.

9. Indiana Pacers

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When I watch Fredette play I can't help but think of Jimmy Chitwood of “Hoosiers.” Some goofy white kid who can knock down a shot from anywhere in the gym. Someone like Fredette playing for Indiana sounds like a sequel to, in my opinion, the greatest sports movie of all time.

But in all seriousness, the Pacers have some good young players on their team and are only a few more away from being a good team.

Forward Danny Granger is one of the most underrated scorers in the NBA and center Roy Hibbert is starting to improve his game as well. Throw Jimmer Fredette in the backcourt with PG Darren Collison, and you have a young core that can really become something.

8. LA Clippers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers gathers Blake Griffin #32 and Eric Gordon #10 for a chat during the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on January 12, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User

The Clippers have two of the most promising young players in the NBA, Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. Like the Pacers, they have a strong young core and may only be a few players away from being a playoff team.

Wouldn’t you love to see Blake Griffin and Jimmer running the pick-and-roll game like the old dynamic duo A'mare and Steve Nash?

I think the Clippers offer Jimmer a chance to learn how to be a point guard. If Fredette can develop, I see the big three of Gordan, Griffin and Fredette sitting near the top of the West for years to come.

7. Golden State Warriors

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 21: Dan Gadzuric #50, Dorell Wright #1, Stephen Curry #30 and Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after the Warriors sent their game against the Sacramento Kings into overtime at Oracle Arena on January 21, 2011 in Oa

The best three-point shooting team in the NBA right now, the Warriors love to fire from beyond the arc. If Fredette went to Golden State he would join a sharpshooter-loaded backcourt featuring Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis.

Winning games by the score of 147-134 would be a common occurrence for such a team.

I feel Fredette fits in very well here because, like most of the Warriors, he doesn’t play any defense. Also, like most of the Warriors, he throws up a three-point shot every chance he gets.

This team may not help him improve or adjust his game to make him a better player, but I don’t see Jimmer fitting in better anywhere else.

6. Utah Jazz

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Going to school only 45 miles from the Jazz home court, it would be an easy transition to the NBA for Jimmer. He will have spent four years already in the state of Utah and won’t have to get adjusted to a change of scenery.

Utah is already a very good team and a major player in the Western Conference. An extra sharp shooter is always nice to have if you're a playoff contender.

In Utah, Fredette would probably play more of the shooting guard spot, because their current shooting guard Raja Bell is getting older and more fragile as the years go on.

The red flag with this possible destination is that Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is notoriously hard on his players about playing defense. Like I have previously stated, that is not Jimmer Fredette’s strength.

5. Orlando Magic

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Is there a better inside presence than Dwight Howard?

Dwight Howard draws the defense to the inside better than any player in the game today. It seems like the Magic's strategy has been to stockpile as many outside shooters as they can to play with Howard. Outside shooters like Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, JJ Redick and Jameer Nelson have all thrived in Orlando, and Fredette would be no different.

I see a lot of similarities in Jameer Nelson and Fredette. On the Magic, I think Jimmer could learn how to be a better floor general from Nelson, while still being able to display his touch from the outside.

The Magic have already traded their first round pick to the Phoenix Suns so, barring a trade, I don’t see how Fredette could possibly land in Orlando.

4. Miami Heat

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: (L-R) Dwyane Wade #3, LeBron James #6 and Chris Bosh #11 of the Miami Heat look on from the bench area during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Th

I could easily see the Heat both drafting and starting Jimmer Fredette. LeBron James usually brings the ball up and runs the offense, so there is no need for Jimmer to try and be the distributor.

With such prolific scorers as Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh to focus on, opposing teams will be forced to let Fredette get some open looks. If he could continue his success from long range in the NBA, Fredette could be like Steve Kerr was to the Jordan Bulls.

3. Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Steve Nash #13 and Jared Dudley #3 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate after hitting a three point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeat

I would argue that the Suns “need” Fredette more than anyone else in the NBA.

In Phoenix, fans are starting to get impatient this season. The fans want something new and something exciting in the valley. What is more exciting than the NCAA’s leading scorer?

Not only does Fredette fit the Suns style, he has also drawn a lot of comparisons to Steve Nash. Like Fredette, Nash was a late first round draft pick because of his lack of defense, athleticism, and unproven playmaker abilities.

Is Jimmer Fredette the second coming of Steve Nash? The Suns can only hope so. I say take a chance on Fredette. Steve Nash is 36-years-old and not getting any younger.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates with James Harden #13 after his basket gave the Thunder the lead for good with 38 seconds remaining in the game with the Los Angeles Clippers on November 11, 2009 a

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the second worst 3 pt. shooting team in the NBA. If the Thunder got Fredette I could see them dumping Thabo Sefolosha (a sorry excuse for a starting SG), and having Fredette back up former 3^rd overall pick James Harden at shooting guard.

The Thunder already have phenomenal perimeter defenders in Russell Westbrook and James Harden, so Jimmer’s lack of defense is not a big issue.

On the Thunder, all Fredette needs to worry about is knocking down the three-pointers. With a dead eye from beyond the arc, I see the Thunder as a championship contender.

1. New York Knicks

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 24: Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks and teammate Raymond Felton #2 react to a call during their game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO

The Knicks allegedly were considering Fredette as an option for their second round pick before Fredette decided to return for his senior season.

Actually born in New York, Fredette would fit the Knicks system perfectly. Anyone who has ever watched a Mike D’Antoni team knows that they are all about offense. Defense seems to be optional, while running up and down the court and taking 3-point shots seem to be required. It sounds like Jimmer’s game!

Throw in a little pick-and-roll game with A'mare Stoudemire, and this should be Fredette’s dream team.

I see the greatest opportunity for Jimmer Fredette to become a superstar with the Knicks. Hopefully Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni will roll the dice and let this dream pairing become reality.