Why Jimmer Mania Could Be Coming to Sacramento

A question was pose to me by my great friend, and the consummate ladies man I might add, Adam Slavin, about Jimmer Fredette and him possibly being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the upcoming NBA Draft.  The Kings had Jimmer in two weeks ago for a workout and sources say they came away more impressed with him as a player than they originally had.  He apparently showed that he is a much better athlete than scouts had thought and showed that he can indeed play the point in the NBA.  The big nack on Jimmer was that the style of basketball he played in college would not translate to how the point guard position is played in the NBA; the position he will most likely be playing.  While in college, Jimmer was a scoring guard who could shoot the lights out when open and set up for jump shots.  But in his workout with the Kings, and apparently other teams are starting too notice as well, Jimmer can indeed play the point in the NBA.  He is showing in workouts that he is a better ball handler and passer than he displayed in college.  He is moving up draft boards quickly and is becoming the big question mark of the draft.  Where will Jimmer land? 

For the most part, his ceiling is as high as the Kings at #7.  And while drafting Jimmer may not be the best basketball decision the Kings could make, it’s definitely one that the Kings’ brass is going to have to consider.  On ESPN.com, Chad Ford wrote a little piece on the Kings possibly drafting Jimmer.  To paraphrase:    

"So would the Kings take a player at No. 7 whom most have as a late lottery pick? Yes and no. It's complicated.
Fredette isn't the top-rated guard on their board -- Brandon Knight is. Kemba Walker also has fans in the organization, but it's much closer between the two players. The Kings may feel that a bigger need is at the 3, and either Kawhi Leonard or Jan Vesely should be on the board there.
But that's half the story. The other half is the Maloofs, who are getting more involved in the Kings' front office. I'm told the owners are the ones who are pushing hard for Jimmer, and they may get their way.
I'm not sure they're wrong in pushing for him. Although it might be "high" for Fredette, he would be a good fit in Sacramento with Tyreke Evans. If you believe he can play the point, the Kings could have one of the most lethal scoring backcourts in the NBA down the road."

This is what I take away from that.  The Maloofs want Jimmer because they know he will put the casual fans in the seats, thereby making them lots and lots of money.  And in a time when the Kings need to make a splash and create noise, it’s not out of the realm for the Kings to consider this course of action.   To translate, it’s a real possibility that the Kings draft Jimmer Fredette.  The Kings would draft Jimmer because in a time when the Kings finances aren’t the best and they are trying to generate revenue to built a new sports and entertainment complex, they could market the hell out of Jimmer and make some good money. 

Darren Rovell with CNBC’s sports business was interviewed on The Rise Guys radio show a few days ago about this very topic.  He said that the Kings would definitely see a spike in revenue from the “Jimmer” factor if they did indeed draft him; and if the Kings are indeed wanting to make a move that would be in the best business interest of the team, drafting Jimmer may be that move.  Now it's not my contension that Jimmer is going to come in and completely sell out games all by himself, but I do think more people would come to Kings home games just to see him.  Also, people would buy all sorts of merchandise that had him on it, like t-shits and jerseys.  That’s all revenue errand for the Maloofs and Kings.  It’s a circumstance that the Kings have to look into, considering the hype he received in college and how much of a polarizing figure he was for college basketball. 

It’s like when the Kings drafted Bobby Hurley out of Duke.  He was a highly touted point guard and a very recognizable figure.  People loved him and went to games just to see him.  This is a similar situation.  This is the most important season and time in Kings’ basketball history; which is why the need to draft someone who has a high name ID, high character, and is someone who could create a buzz, is all that much more important.  If the Kings were to draft some tissue soft player from Europe or a no-name small college player, then start the season 2-15, all the good will and momentum that was built up this offseason to keep the Kings and for the new sports and entertainment complex push will all be for not.  The Kings this offseason had a huge spike in season tickets and game packages sells.  They have to consider bringing in someone who the people want to see.  People in Sacramento want to see Jimmer!!  It may not be the best basketball move the Kings could make, but often times we hear of sports talked about as a business; and it may be in the best interest of the Kings as a business.    

I’ve said all along that I would like the Kings to draft UCONN point guard Kemba Walker.  He is a natural leader who led his UCONN Huskies to the NCAA Tournament Championship, and the Kings are desperate for leadership from anyone.  But for other reason that are non-basketball related is why Jimmer Mania could be coming to Sacramento. 

Mr. Armchair Speaking