The Knicks finally will give Jimmer Fredette a chance.
After going silent at the trade deadline, the Knicks are planning for “Jimmermania’’ and to fill their open roster spot by signing the upstate Glens Falls sharpshooter to a 10-day contract instead of signing a waived player.
Interim coach Kurt Rambis said he “anticipates’’ Fredette will sign Monday and be ready for that night’s home game against the Raptors to make his Knicks debut. But, Rambis added, “Between now and then, a lot of things can happen.’’
Fredette has played for the D-League Westchester Knicks since November and will make two more appearances for that club, Friday and Sunday. Fredette missed Friday’s Knicks game in Brooklyn and will not play Saturday at Minnesota.
“He’s obviously a very good shooter and can open up the floor for us,’’ Rambis said.
But Rambis admitted there are reasons why Fredette hasn’t stuck after being a 2011 lottery pick, as this will be his fifth NBA team. Fredette’s career started in Sacramento and he has played for Chicago and New Orleans, and appeared in preseason games for San Antonio.
“It’s very difficult to make that transition for most players coming from elite programs from Europe or elite college programs,” Rambis said of Fredette, who had a brief November stay with the Pelicans. “You go through these steps to make it in the NBA. It’s a huge league, guys are much bigger, stronger, longer, quicker, faster. It takes a certain kind of person to play at this level. If you’re missing one of those attributes, it can keep you out of the league. Sometimes it takes players a few years to figure out how to adjust to the game. We’ll see if he made those adjustments.’’
The Knicks need a boost offensively from the backcourt, but league scouts are concerned with his defense and leadership capabilities, and Rambis seemed to have concerns.
“He obviously can shoot and that’s what he’s known for,’’ Rambis said. “We have to see if he can handle the basketball and be able to crate shots for himelf and others within the team concept. It will be an adjustment for him. Guys in the D-League, at that point in time they’re not NBA ballplayers.”
Au contraire, says Fredette.
“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 will be a team that takes notice and gives me a chance.’’
Rambis said practice will tell the tale on Fredette’s playing time.
“It’s going to be a short period of time he’ll be with us,” Rambis said, “so I have to figure out if he can help us as quick as possible.’’
Fredette, who broke BYU’s all-time scoring record in college, was named the MVP of last weekend’s D-League All-Star Game with 35 points, eight assists and six rebounds. In 28 games for Westchester, he is averaging 22.6 points and 4.8 assists and shooting 48 percent (42 percent from 3-point range). Many of Fredette’s friends and family have descend on the Westchester County Center for games.
The Knicks had contemplated seeing what popped up on the waiver wire during the annual purge post-deadline. Former St. John’s standout Jakarr Sampson of the 76ers was cut, as were ex-Knicks forwards David Lee (Boston) and Steve Novak (Utah). But none of the three plays point guard.
“There’s players we’ve kept our eye on we might bring in,” Rambis said Thursday. “We’re looking at guys who can possibly come in and help us out or take a better look at in practice and see how they fit in with everybody else — whether they play or not.’’