Jimmer Fredette just seems to win MVP honors wherever he goes.
During his senior season at BYU, Fredette captivated the nation as he went on to win both the Naismith and Associated Press Player of the Year awards. The sharpshooter led BYU to the Sweet 16 his senior season and led the country in scoring at 28.9 points per game.
During his time in the NBA Development League, Fredette earned MVP honors thanks to setting a D-League record for most points (35) scored in an All-Star Game.
On Tuesday, Fredette was named MVP of the Chinese Basketball Association after putting up more than 36 points, eight rebounds and nearly five assists per game. Jimmermania was alive and well last month when the sharpshooter dropped 73 points in a double overtime loss in the last regular season game for the Shanghai Sharks.
Fredette, playing in his first year in China, has been the reason for the Sharks’ huge turnaround. After the team went 18-20 last year, Fredette has helped lead the Sharks to a 30-8 regular season finish to tie for second in the CBA standings.
But now there is talk that the offensive juggernaut could be coming back to the NBA after his 73-point performance went viral.
Sources: China MVP, Jimmer Fredette, playing for Shanghai in playoffs, starting to engage NBA teams on March return. He's scored 37.5 PPG.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) March 1, 2017
The CBA season is almost over with Sharks tied with the Shenzhen Leopards 2-2 in a five-game series. Fredette missed the first game for the birth of his first child but helped win two of its last three games in his return. If the Sharks fall in Game 5 Sunday, don’t be surprised to see Fredette back in the NBA.
Although he’s has struggled in the NBA — mostly due to a lack of consistent minutes as well as numerous coaching changes with the Kings — these five teams should give the sharpshooter a chance.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
The defending champs just signed Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut off waivers so it doesn’t seem as likely now, but Williams also isn’t that great of a shooter. The three-time NBA All-Star is hitting just 34 percent from beyond the arc and is more of a facilitator than anything else. J.R. Smith is back on the comeback trail after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right thumb so Fredette could still make an impact for the Cavs off the bench.
And just for the fun of it, can you imagine Fredette and Kyle Korver getting open looks all game long with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving running the show.
The Cavaliers set the NBA record for made 3s in one game (25) with this Kyle Korver make: pic.twitter.com/kr7jlXByhp
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) March 4, 2017
4. Los Angeles Lakers
After sweeping management changes, Magic Johnson is the man in charge of the Lakers. One of the most iconic NBA players to ever play the game now takes command of one of the league’s signature franchises and looks to help it return to its former glory after several disappointing seasons.
The team currently ranks 22nd out of 30 teams in three-point percentage and could use a shooter like Fredette to help out Nick Young with youngsters D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, struggling to find their shot from beyond the arc.
It also doesn’t hurt that Johnson had high praise for the sharpshooter when he first came into the league. We don’t know what Magic thinks of Jimmer now, but the tweet a few years ago makes things really interesting.
For all of you out there questioning Jimmer Fredette of BYU, he is the real deal. #MenCare
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 20, 2011
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t a great three-point shooting team either at 35.2 percent.
The Wolves have a bunch of talent in Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Zach LaVine. However, with LaVine out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee, the Timberwolves desperately need an outside shooter. LaVine was shooting 38.7 percent but point guard Ricky Rubio has struggled mightily as the sixth-year veteran is hitting just 28.9 percent from downtown.
The Wolves have the worst bench (in terms of scoring) in the league, so adding Fredette would be a nice pickup for struggling Minnesota and to help keep the double teams off Towns too.
The young @Timberwolves are off to a quick start, leading the @utahjazz 51-35 at the half on Wiggins 15p.
KAT already with a double-double! pic.twitter.com/poUfCEoFbs
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2017
2. Houston Rockets
Jimmer would probably be as close to heaven as he possibly could if he were to join Houston.
The Rockets are a run-and-gun offense under head coach Mike D’Antoni and the team loves to shoot from downtown. That’s why it’s no surprise to see the Rockets leading the league in three-point attempts with more than 40 per game this year.
Under Mike D’Antoni’s system, Fredette would more than likely find his niche, and with James Harden running the offense, the CBA MVP winner would get plenty of open looks. And instead of worrying about minutes or whether he should shoot it or not, the Rockets system gives players an endless amount of freedom and nobody plays defense either.
#Rockets extended their NBA record to 9 games w/ 20 or more "3's" this season & won 122-103 last night. Go to Facebook NOW to see every "3" pic.twitter.com/SSDGc8jANK
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 2, 2017
1. Golden State Warriors
Golden State is right behind Houston with the Warriors averaging 32 three-point attempts per game. And with Kevin Durant likely out for the next four-six weeks after suffering a Grade 2 MCL sprain and a tibial bone bruise, the Warriors could use the services of Fredette.
Although a big knock on Fredette is his lack of defense, the great thing about playing in the Bay Area is that nobody plays defense either in the run-and-gun offense.
Fredette’s specialty is hitting long 3-pointers and that’s exactly what the Warriors do best. And playing alongside a number of All-Stars in Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, etc., Fredette would get plenty of wide open looks.
