The New York Knicks made a popular decision among fans last week when they decided to give a 10-day contract to Jimmer Fredette who was filling it up in the D-League. Since Fredette has joined the Knicks, though, he has appeared in just one game and played less than two minutes, much to the dismay of many Knicks fans.
Fredette's 10-day contract is set to expire on Thursday, so the Knicks will have to make a decision on what they want to do with him. They could give him a second 10-day contract which interim head coach Kurt Rambis said is still a possibility, or they can move on from him completely.
The most likely scenario seems to be that the Knicks will move on from Fredette because they have interest in filling that roster spot with Ray McCallum. McCallum was with the San Antonio Spurs earlier this year serving as their third-string point guard, but he was cut to make room for Andre Miller. McCallum is a talented young point guard who has had success in the NBA, and it is no secret that the Knicks desperately need help at point guard.
McCallum was behind both Tony Parker and Patty Mills with the Spurs, but last season with the Kings he averaged 7.4 points and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field. As a rookie the 24-year-old also made 37 percent of his threes, so he has the tools, he just needs consistent playing time to put it all together.
If the Knicks decide to bring in McCallum over keeping Fredette it would be a logical move considering McCallum is more of a natural point guard. Fredette is a great shooter, but he hasn't gotten playing time with the Knicks because Rambis has said he gets "pushed around a little" on defense when they scrimmage in practice.
Defense has always been the reason Fredette has been unable to stick in the NBA and carve out a role, and it seems to still be his undoing. The crowd at Madison Square Garden wanted Jimmer to get some minutes during their loss to the Heat on Sunday so much that they started a "Jimmer" chant, but Rambis did not oblige. Tuesday night could be Fredette's last game in a Knicks' uniform, and it should be if McCallum wants to come to the Knicks. McCallum would likely have a role with the Knicks and maybe even a future if he shows that he could fulfill some of his potential for the rest of the season.
