If the draft-day trade goes through, as expected, ex-BYU guard Jimmer Fredette will likely have to pick a new number as a member of the Sacramento Kings.
Right now, Fredette's familiar No. 32 is worn for the Kings by former Louisville star Francisco Garcia.
Fredette wore No. 32 in high school, too, but only after the number he really wanted -- No. 5 -- was taken by an upperclassman. In AAU ball, he wore No. 13.
Incidentally, the Kings also have a No. 5 (Eugene Jeter) and a No. 13 -- star guard Tyreke Evans.
Jimmer becomes the sixth BYU player to go in the first round of the NBA draft, and the third highest. Shawn Bradley went at No. 2 and Rafael Araujo went at No. 8.
Actually, the Milwaukee Bucks took Fredette with their No. 10 pick.
However, earlier in the day the Bucks, Bobcats and Kings agreed to a five-player trade. The Kings gave away Beno Udrih.
A week before BYU is officially out of the Mountain West Conference, two MWC players were taken in the top 15. San Diego State's Kawhi Leonard was taken by the Indiana Pacers, but was then dealt to the San Antonio Spurs for backup shooting guard George Hill.
NBA Draft 2011: Sacramento Kings Select Jimmer Fredette With No. 10 Pick
The Sacramento Kings picked Jimmer Fredette of BYU with the No. 10 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Jimmer is ridiculously popular just about eveywhere, and figures to play in a three-guard rotation with Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton.
Both Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker lasted to the No. 7 pick, but went back-to-back at No. 8 (Detroit Pistons) and No. 9 (Charlotte Bobcats), leaving Jimmer to Sacramento. Knight ended a run of five straight international players running from No. 3 (Enes Kanter) to No. 7 (Bismack Biyombo).
Earlier on Thursday, the Kings traded their No. 7 pick to the Milwaukee Bucks along with Beno Udrih in exchange for No. 10 and good ol' John Salmons. Salmons is due $25 million over the next three seasons. Udrih was due $14 million over two years. The No. 10 is also typically less valuable than the No. 7 pick.
The Kings next pick at No. 35. That pick should come down around 7:30 Pacific.
Sacramento Kings Draft Jimmer Fredette 10th Overall
