Where Jimmer Fredette could land
ESPN Article
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba...nba_draft&id=6611716
BYU's Jimmer Fredette is still the most hotly debated name in the draft. Despite an amazing year at BYU and excellent athletic testing numbers at the Chicago pre-draft combine, no one is certain where exactly he'll go in this draft.
The two most obvious destinations -- Utah and Phoenix -- are still possibilities. But neither the Jazz nor the Suns are a lock to take Jimmer.
The Jazz are seriously looking at both Kentucky's Brandon Knight and UConn's Kemba Walker with the No. 3 pick in the draft. If they take either player, it's highly unlikely they'd draft Fredette at No. 12. If they decide to go with someone like Enes Kanter or Jan Vesely at No. 3, then Fredette will be in play at No. 12, according to sources.
As we first reported two weekends ago, the Jazz are flying out to Chicago to do a two-day meet-and-greet and workout with Kanter in Chicago on June 3. If that goes really well, Jimmer moves more into the Jazz's picture at No. 12. If it doesn't, they're going to have to fall in love with Jonas Valanciunas or Jan Vesely (and I don't think they're in love with either player) for them to pass on both Knight and Walker.
The Suns also like Jimmer, and with Steve Nash rolling into the last year of his deal -- and with his backup Aaron Brooks far from a lock to replace him -- Fredette fits a need and his style of play fits well with Alvin Gentry's system.
However, Phoenix Suns President Lon Babby has been emphasizing defense this summer, and I got an earful about it from Babby in the lobby of the Westin in Chicago last week. Given the major question marks surrounding Fredette's defensive abilities, he may not be as snug of a fit as I had thought. While Babby didn't rule out taking Fredette at 13, he didn't sound like a man whose heart was set on taking him.
If Fredette slides past the Jazz and Suns, where will he land? He might have a better idea this week after workouts with both the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks.
Fredette works out in Indiana on Tuesday against Duke's Nolan Smith. The Pacers will also get a look at Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris, Jeremy Tyler and Vernon Macklin on Tuesday -- but all eyes will be on Fredette. Fredette nailed his interview with Indiana last week in Chicago, and Pacers GM Larry Bird is a fan.
And despite the addition of Darren Collison last summer, Fredette does fit a need. On the checklist of areas the Pacers want to upgrade this summer, getting a scorer who can create his own shot is a major item. Fredette's unlimited range, nasty crossover and ability to shoot off the dribble are all proven. If he has a great workout, Indiana could be his floor.
On Thursday, Fredette rolls into the Big Apple for a workout against Washington State's Klay Thompson and Providence's Marshon Brooks. Fredette and Brooks were the two best scorers in college basketball last season, and Thompson wasn't far behind. The Knicks want to see them matched up head-to-head.
The Knicks passed on a chance to promise (they'd pick) Fredette last year before he opted to return to school, and have privately told me they regret it. Would they pass on a chance to draft him again? Fredette fits the mold of a Mike D'Antoni point guard. His shooting ability, high basketball IQ and confidence are big points in his favor for D'Antoni. The fact that he's a New York native and has a ton of swagger and some celebrity can't hurt, either.
While the Knicks have been looking for a big man, they don't have to land him in the draft. The team is still looking for a long-term replacement for Chauncey Billups (who is in the last year of his contract) and definitely needs help at the 2. Whether there are enough shots to go around on a team that already has Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Billups (and to a lesser extent Toney Douglas) firing away at will is another question, but a great workout for Fredette could also set his floor here.
More draft notes
• The Knicks' Fredette-Thompson-Brooks workout should be very interesting. Brooks is bigger, much longer and a more explosive athlete. However, he doesn't have Fredette's unlimited range or his craftiness. Thompson is a nice blend of both Fredette and Brooks.
Brooks and Thompson could be the types of player who give Jimmer problems. The Knicks have been looking for a shooter and if Thompson is still on the board, he may be hard to pass up. Someone in the Knicks' own organization has compared him to Allan Houston. That's high praise.
If Fredette stumbles in the workout, or if he's off the board when the Knicks pick at No. 17, Brooks could be a prime candidate for them. While a number of teams didn't hop on the Brooks bandwagon until recently, the Knick have liked him for a while. The team still wants to add star power to their roster and feel that Brooks is one of the few players who, given their draft position, could fit the bill (Kansas' Josh Selby is another).
• The Jazz won't be the only team getting a look at Enes Kanter in the coming weeks -- though they will be the first. Kanter also has meetings scheduled with the Toronto Raptors in Chicago on the 6th, and then will make visits to both the Cleveland Cavaliers (6/7) and Minnesota Timberwolves (6/17) in the coming weeks, his agent Max Ergul told ESPN Insider.
• The Celtics have a really interesting workout on Wednesday, June 1. Richmond's Justin Harper, Wisconsin's Jon Leuer, VCU's Jamie Skeen and Butler's Matt Howard are all in the same workout together. All four of those power forwards can really stroke the basketball. You think the Celtics might be in the market for a stretch 4?
Knicks Prospect Workouts June 1st
Denzel Bowles, F, 6-10, 255, James Madison, senior
Marshon Brooks, G, 6-5, 190, Providence, senior
Jimmer Fredette, G, 6-2, 195, Brigham Young, senior
Gary McGhee, F/C, 6-11, 250, Pittsburgh, senior
Darius Morris, G, 6-4, 190, Michigan, sophomore
Klay Thompson, G, 6-6, 202, Washington State, junior