The Pelicans have waived Jimmer Fredette, the team announced. The team signed the former BYU star to a non-guaranteed contract November 10th using a 16th roster spot the league granted them via the hardship rule. That provision for an extra player lasts only 10 days, and though the Pelicans are still dealing with copious injuries, Fredette’s release is a signal that the league won’t be giving the team another 10-day exception, likely because one of the injured players is poised to return, as John Reid of The Times Picayune speculates (on Twitter).
Letting go of Fredette is also a financial savings for the Pels, who only used him for a total of 13 minutes spread over four games this month. His prorated minimum salary cost them $5,572 a day. Fredette is also collecting money this season from the Spurs, who guaranteed him $507,711 before cutting him at the end of the preseason. He remains under contract with the D-League affiliate of the Knicks, who drafted him after he inked a D-League deal late last month.
Omer Asik and Anthony Davis are questionable for Friday’s game against the Spurs, but four others have been out with long-term injuries, which gave New Orleans enough to qualify for the extra roster spot. Kendrick Perkins is just a couple of weeks into a three-month recovery timetable and Tyreke Evans still appears to be about two weeks away, judging by the timeframe that Reid reported a month ago, so Norris Cole and Quincy Pondexter, who’ve yet to play this season, look like the candidates to return soon.
What do you think comes next for Fredette? Leave a comment to let us know.
It’s a shame. Guy just needs a chance.
this guy can score. pros, college, they put him in, he scores. there’s more to this story than “he can’t play defense.”
He was drafted 10th by the Bucks and the Kings traded for him on draft night. Then they stick him on the bench and play him 10-15 mins a game? Yet they draft McLemore and immediately start him? There is a reason that the bottom feeders stay there. He can play and at a high level. I really think some of these teams have Absolutely no idea what they are doing.
That’s a good point. If you’re going to trade for him, you should follow through on your investment and try to made a rotation player out of him.
This is expected. Jimmer really does not fill a need for the Pels. They brought him on as he is a familiar face (a face no one seems to want to pass to) with the other players and the organization. Jimmer needs to get some reps in the D league and another team will come calling, hopefully not the Pels who seem to have no idea how to use him.
I’m not sure he’s an NBA player. He’s been on several teams, but hasn’t proven anything in limited time. Maybe he should hone his skills overseas
Just sign with the sixers