Jimmer Fredette doesn’t know if there’s much more he can do in the D-League to prove he belongs back in the big show.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching Thursday, the Westchester Knicks point guard — coming off winning the MVP award at the D-League All-Star Game on Saturday in Toronto — feels his dodgy situation will clear up soon.
The Knicks have an open roster spot and can use a point guard, but are waiting to see how the deadline shakes out. Fredette’s agents have been in contact with a few teams, not just the Knicks.
“I feel I’ve definitely proven I can still play and provide something for a team out there,’’ Fredette told The Post in a phone interview Tuesday morning. “I’ve shown that. And I’m definitely confident if I do get an opportunity, I’ll be able to produce. The D-League has helped me to get better and develop as a basketball player. I hope there’ll be a team that takes notice and gives me a chance.’’
The sharpshooter from upstate Glens Falls lit up the All-Star Game with 35 points, eight assists and six rebounds. In 28 games for Westchester, he’s averaging 22.6 points and 4.8 assists and shooting 48 percent (42 percent from 3-point range). He’s seen a lot of friends and family descend on the Westchester County Center for games. Fredette, after getting released by the Pelicans in November, is mildly surprised he hasn’t gotten another chance.
“You never know what could happen — whether it’s the Knicks or another team,’’ Fredette said. “I’m hopeful there is a team that will arise, but I’m not positive who that will be. My agent talks to teams every day and at the All-Star break, but you never know how serious those conversations are. Maybe the Knicks will be that opportunity or some other team. We’ll see what happens in the next couple of days.’’
Fredette has loved that the D-League squad practices at the Knicks’ state-of-the-art facility in Tarrytown and he has taken to the triangle offense. He never spoke to former coach Derek Fisher during his time as a Westchester Knick, but he’s encountered president Phil Jackson now and again.
“I’ve run into him and say hello and stuff,’’ Fredette said. “He comes in and watches practices periodically. He’s aware of the team and there’s some communication with the coaching staff.
“It’s been a really good experience,’’ added Fredette, a former lottery pick in 2011 who began his career with the Kings. “I didn’t know what to expect, but the Knicks put us up in nice places. The Knicks practice facility is a great place. It’s definitely the best setup in the D-League. I was definitely surprised, and more importantly, you can develop as a player. That’s what the league is for.’’
The Knicks signed their former second-round draft pick Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a 10-day contract recently because they needed a wing defender with Lance Thomas and Carmelo Anthony battling sore knees. But they did not re-sign the Greek Freak’s brother to a second 10-day pact.
At the trade deadline, the Knicks would like to make a point-guard upgrade. If not, though his defense has remained a drawback, Fredette could get the call. League sources also have said Fredette is on the quiet side as a leader – which isn’t a good attribute for a floor general.
But he can score – as he did in record numbers at BYU.
“We’re still running the triangle, but the [D-League] is up-and-down tempo, so we try to get out in transition,’’ Fredette said. “That’s what the Knicks want us to do. I like it. It’s a great system and been very successful with Phil Jackson. It’s read and react — make a pass and react off that and make certain reads. It can flow very well, and I get the ball in a lot of different positions to score. It plays to my game.’’
His D-League All-Star explosion is believed to have boosted his stock. For instance, it landed him an appearance on the Dan Patrick show.
“It was another time to showcase my skills,’’ Fredette said. “It’s a very talented league — you’re playing every night against three, four guys who’ve been in the NBA. And always someone is watching.’’