Fredette, Kings Close to Buyout

The Sacramento Kings are nearing a contract buyout with guard Jimmer Fredette.

The Glens Falls native has never gained traction with the Kings, and is averaging just 11.3 minutes per game this season. He has averaged just 15 minutes a game during an NBA career that began in 2011-12.

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the teams reported to have interest in the former No. 10 draft pick if he is bought out, according to ESPN. Fredette is making $2.4 million this season.

Despite limited minutes, Fredette is the top three-point shooter in the NBA among players with at least 70 attempts (49.3 percent). He scored 24 points in an overtime win against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 12.

In Fredette’s three NBA seasons, the Kings have had three different head coaches. Throw in two sets of ownership groups and you can see that Jimmer has had to fight an uphill battle every step of the way in Northern California.

While a buyout would validate some opinions that Fredette is not a bona fide NBA player, Jimmer supporters should be ecstatic as he gets the opportunity to get out of a toxic situation.

The Kings are 20-37 this season.

The coaching and ownership issues aside, Fredette has had to deal with the Kings decision to bring in a bevy of guards. They have created a log jam at the position. From Tyreke Evans to Aaron Brooks to Isaiah Thomas to Ray McCallum to Ben McLemore, Jimmer has had to endure too much competition for serious time over the last three years.

Despite not getting the chance to help the Kings often, Sacramento management believes he will help a team this season and had nothing but positives to say.

"He's an absolute pure shooter. And beyond that, as a guy for your locker room, as a person, as an all-around player, he definitely belongs in the NBA." Someone's gonna get someone that's gonna help their team. And we firmly believe that. When we get to that point, whether it's now or at the end of the season, he's gonna be a player in this league," said Kings general manager Pete D'Alessandro.

Jimmer will definitely help someone. The Capital District has known what Fredette can do for years. Once he gets out of Sacramento, the rest of the country will again be reminded.