NBA Free Agency 2014: Pelicans announce Jimmer Fredette signing

Earlier today, the New Orleans Pelicans announced the official signing of shooting guard Jimmer Fredette.

The NBA journey of Fredette, former collegiate star, hasn’t been pretty. Drafted 10th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, Fredette failed to make a true impact on the floor outside of his ability to knock down jump shots. He defended poorly, failed to effectively create his own jump shot against elite defenders, and lacked the knack to be an elite playmaker. The 60th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft in Isaiah Thomas eventually jumped ahead of Fredette on the depth chart.

And after two and a half seasons of underachieving on the Kings, the two parties reached an agreement on a buyout, making Fredette an unrestricted free agent in February of 2014. Fredette would eventually be signed by the Chicago Bulls, but never made Tom Thibodeau’s rotation, only appearing in 8 games for a total of 56 minutes, with majority coming in garbage time.

Now with the Pelicans on a one-year deal worth the veterans minimum, Fredette will try and salvage his NBA career.

The road to do so won’t be easy. With Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon as starters, Fredette will have to compete with Austin Rivers, Russ Smith, and Tyreke Evans for minutes in the frontcourt. Of that group, Fredette is the least “NBA ready” player, but with Rivers dealing with struggles and Smith being a rookie, Fredette could emerge as a 10-15 minutes a night guy, playing the role of designated three-point shooter once held by now-Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.