CHICAGO – Mike Woodson indicated the Knicks weren’t willing to wait on combo guard Jimmer Fredette and the upstate New York native said he’s unaware if the club made any inquiries.
Fredette, out of Glens Falls, was outspoken about hoping the Knicks would draft him back in 2011 coming out of Brigham Young but he didn’t drop to 17 and the club grabbed Iman Shumpert. Fredette wound up with Sacramento at No. 10 and a disappointing 3-year stint came to an end with his buyout this week.
Fredette officially signed with the Bulls Sunday morning and ironically was set to face his hometown team in a United Center matinee.
After buying out Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih, the Knicks had two roster spots open and signed combo guard Shannon Brown and Earl Clark Thursday amid reports Fredette was working on a Kings’ buyout. Brown was scoreless in 15 minutes vs. Golden State Friday.
“We already made our moves with Shannon and Earl,’’ Woodson said. “Then (Jimmer) got released right after we made our moves. There really was no considerations there.’’
Asked if the Knicks inquired, Fredette said, “Not too much that I’m aware of.’’
The Knicks were a little concerned about Fredette’s defensive acumen, though he ironically torched them for his career high 24 points at the Garden in the game leading into the All-Star Break. Fredette was considered good enough for the Bulls and defensive guru, Tom Thibodeau.
“I don’t want to prejudge him on what he is defensively,’’ Thibodeau said today. “He’s more than just a shooter.’’
Fredette was surrounded by close to two dozen reporters in the Bulls’ locker room, prompting a staffer to shout: “Did Jordan come back?’’
Fredette indicated Thibodeau was a reason he targeted the Bulls. “I see how this team plays, they play hard every single night and play for each other,’’ Fredette said. “It was something I was looking or.’’
Of his forgettable Kings’ stint, Fredette said, “Sometimes things don’t go the way you want it to sometimes.’’
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Shumpert was set to make his return today after missing 10 days after spraining his MCL – an injury that derailed a trade to the Clippers.