This might be Jimmer Fredette’s last NBA chance. And for the Warriors, a chance to add another shooter.
The Warriors signed Fredette, 30, to their summer league roster, giving him perhaps another chance to establish himself in the league.
“I believe I’m an NBA player, and I believe I can do great things in this league and help a team in some way. I want to give that one more opportunity, and be with my family and live here,” Fredette told Yahoo Sports last week.
“We’ll see what happens.”
After short stints with the Kings, Bulls, Pelicans and Knicks, the 10th overall pick from the 2011 draft — one pick before Klay Thompson — starred in China, earning him ample money and endorsements during three seasons with the Shanghai Sharks. Fredette scored 36 points per game last season, shooting 42% from behind the arc.
Comparatively, he has averaged six points a game on 37% shooting from three-point range during 241 career games in the NBA. Fredette’s long-distance threes at BYU earned him both the Naismith and AP Player of the Year awards and a Sweet Sixteen berth during his senior year.
With Kevin Durant and Andre Igoudala’s departures and Thompson’s ACL injury keeping him out for most of the season, Fredette’s deep-shooting ability could be a way to make the Warriors’ roster. He’s struggled in that department so far in two summer league games, shooting 1-of-7 from 3-point range while averaging 9.5 points per contest.
“They play my style of basketball, going up and down and sharing the ball,” said Fredette, who played briefly for the Suns at the end of last season. “They shoot a lot of threes and do things in transition. That fits my game and how I’ve played my whole career. That’s how I’ve made my living.”
Even if he fails to stick in Golden State, Fredette knows he’s not only trying out for them.
“I’m trying to make a team,” Fredette said. “I would love to make the Golden State Warriors and help their team as a player and a person, but there’s a lot of people watching summer league. It’s a good opportunity to play, and I’m grateful to the Warriors for giving me that chance.”