Updated: 2:15pm
The waiting is over. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to Cowbell Kingdom that Sacramento Kings general manager Pete D’Alessandro informed former BYU star Jimmer Fredette today after practice that the team will not pick up his $3.1 million fourth year option on his rookie deal. Fredette will play out the 2013-14 season and then walk into next summer an unrestricted free agent.
“It’s part of the business,” Fredette told Cowbell Kingdom before last night home opener. “It’s what basketball is. It’s what all professional sports are. It’s something that you just have to live with. You have to play well and prove yourself regardless, so whatever happens, happens.”
The Kings selected Fredette with the 10th overall selection of the 2011 NBA Draft, but that seems like another lifetime ago. Over his first two-plus seasons in the league, he has posted averages of 7.4 points and 1.5 assists in 16.2 minutes per game for three different head coaches. The former college player of the year has struggled to find consistent minutes in a backcourt filled with score first guards.
The Kings had until today make a final decision on Jimmer’s contract per league rules. The Sacramento Kings will retain his “Larry Bird Rights”, but they will not have the option to match offers from another team.
Sam Amick of USA Today was the first to break the news via twitter.
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