Suns sign guard Jimmer Fredette through rest of season
Mar 22, 2019, 10:10 AM | Updated: 10:14 am
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 22: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the New York Knicks in action against the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 22, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns on Friday signed guard Jimmer Fredette, who just finished his season with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Fredette’s contract runs through the rest of the season with a team option for 2019-20, per 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.
Phoenix guard Tyler Johnson was out for Thursday’s loss against the Detroit Pistons, making it the fourth straight game he has missed with a knee injury. By signing Fredette, the Suns now have a full roster with 15 players but are down multiple bodies due to injury.
Kelly Oubre Jr. requires thumb surgery, ending his season, and his replacement starter, Josh Jackson, suffered an ankle injury Thursday. Phoenix could attempt to get Fredette caught up by the time they visit the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
There, Fredette could make a homecoming after he was the Kings’ No. 10 draft pick in 2011.
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The 30-year-old Fredette recently played for the Sharks of the CBA, where he averaged 36.9 points per game. On Tuesday, the Sharks were eliminated from the postseason.
After being drafted by the Kings in 2011, Fredette lasted four seasons with Sacramento before battling to stay on the NBA radar.
His contract was bought out midseason by the Kings, and Fredette spent the rest of his fourth year with the Chicago Bulls. On a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans the following season, Fredette then signed with the San Antonio Spurs in 2015 and was waived in the preseason.
He was then selected in the NBA Development League Draft by the Westchester Knicks, spending a season in the G League that also included a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks.
In his NBA career, Fredette averaged 6.0 points per game on 13.4 minutes a night. His last NBA action was over three years ago on March 1 of 2016.
