NBA Rumors: Players the Knicks Have Been Linked To

Jimmer Fredette, Westchester Knicks

Position: Guard

Age: 26

Salary: N/A

D-League Slash Line: .493/.459/.900

D-League Season Averages: 36.7 MPG, 23.3 PPG, 4.6 APG, 4.4 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 2.3 3PM

The New York Knicks did what they do best during the 2015 NBA D-League Draft: gambled on a big name. The Westchester Knicks risked the pick on former National Player of the Year and BYU Cougars legend Jimmer Fredette, and the reward has justified Allan Houston‘s ambition.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Fredette has played well enough for Phil Jackson and the Knicks to consider calling him up from the D-League to the main roster.

"Jimmer Fredette of the Westchester Knicks is one candidate. Fredette has played well for the Knicks’ D-League club (23 points, 4.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds) and Phil Jackson is a fan of Fredette’s, according to a source, but that doesn’t guarantee him a roster spot with the Knicks."

Acquiring Fredette wouldn’t address the Knicks’ greatest areas of weakness, but he certainly has the potential to be a dynamic addition.

Fredette has helped Westchester jump out to a record of 12-5. He’s averaging 23.3 points and 4.6 assists in 12 D-League appearances while shooting 45.9 percent on 5.1 3-point field goal attempts per game.

That wouldn’t help New York’s struggles with slashing and scoring in transition, but Fredette’s limitless shooting range is an attractive strength.

The issue for Fredette is that he scores in the same way as Stephen Curry without the green light—and no, that isn’t a suggestion that he’s as good as the reigning league MVP. While he can produce in an off-ball capacity, Fredette is at his best with the ball in his hands.

The question is, would New York be able to provide Fredette with enough touches for him to make magic happen?

Next: High Risk, High Reward