NBA Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics Eyeing Jimmer Fredette of Sacramento Kings
The Boston Celtics could reportedly make a move for Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette with the hope that he can add more firepower to the team's offensive arsenal, according to Digital Journal.com
Already having made several attempts to bring in disgruntled Houston Rockets big man Omer Asik, the Celtics are also on the lookout for a player that can give them consistent long range shooting and stretch out the defense on the floor. The Celtics ranked fifth in points allowed per game (96.9 points) but are only 24th out of all 30 teams in points scored per game (95 points).
In a report on Digital Journal, the Sports World Report indicated that Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has shown interest in making a gamble on the former BYU Cougars hot shot.
"Sports World Report has suggested that General Manager Danny Ainge could help this franchise with moves this season and one player that could add some instant offense to the squad is Jimmer Fredette," Digital Journal stated.
Fredette averaged 4.7 points and 1.1 assists in 9.9 minutes per game in his third season in the league. But before his numbers went south, the former College Basketball Player of the Year did well as a ball facilitator prior to point guard Isaiah Thomas re-assuming his starting role.
The Kings have indicated they had no interest in re-signing Fredette after his rookie contract expires next season. Sacramento attempted to shop the combo guard, but did not find a suitable trade partner to get the deal done.
"The former first round pick of the Sacramento Kings is in limbo, playing 20+ minutes one game than nearly nothing the next. The management for the Kings decided not to offer an extension to the former BYU star, thus making him a free agent after the season and that has led to several trade rumors over the last month," stated on Digital Journal.
The Celtics have surprisingly put themselves in playoff contention despite trading away the remaining pieces of their 2007-08 NBA title winning team. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry were all dealt to Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal last summer.
However, the emergence of their youngsters such as Jordan Crawford, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger, along with the coaching brilliance of Brad Stevens in his first year as an NBA head coach, have made the Celtics competitive in a very weak Eastern Conference race.
For the Celtics to get Fredette, Ainge might just need to send a future second round pick and maybe seldom-used veteran Keith Bogans or Phil Pressey to hammer the deal.