In honor of Bill Simmons we will be using ESPN’s Trade Machine to create fake Jimmer trades with every team the Kings play this season.  First up: the New York Knicks

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=76gb6xa

In this trade the Knicks give up Iman Shumpert and their 2012 1st round pick (top 20 protected) for Jimmer Fredette.

Why do the Knicks say yes?

The Knicks need help at the point guard position in a bad way.  Toney Douglas has nowhere near the play-creating ability that Jimmer does and Mike Bibby’s best years are 3-4 years behind him.  Yes they signed Baron Davis, but with him shelved for almost a quarter of the season this gives them a starting PG right away, insurance for Baron Davis the rest of year, and their PG of the future.

Jimmer would fit in well with this run-and-gun team.  The addition of Tyson Chandler makes them much better defensively but they are still coached by offensive guru Mike D’Antoni.  Also, if the rumors become reality and Phil Jackson takes over the squad next year Jimmer should be able to run the triangle much better than Derek Fisher, right?

Why do the Kings say yes?

The Kings really want Tyreke Evans to be a PG (see starting lineup: Evans, Thornton, Salmons, Hayes, Cousins) even though their best lineup seems to be one with Jimmer in place of Salmons.  Shumpert (who looks to be a steal in this years draft at 17) gives them a bigger combo guard (how they are playing Jimmer) that can play right away in a three-guard rotation with Evans and Thornton.

They also receive a future first round pick which will come in the 23-28 range in a deep 2012 NBA draft.  Is that enough to compensate them for giving up Jimmer who they obviously value more than Shumpert?

Does this trade happen?

No.  I think both teams would say no to this trade.  Knicks are high on Shumpert and he looks to break back into their rotation when he comes back from injury.  Baron Davis, when healthy and motivated, will be a much better PG option than Jimmer anyway.

Kings would not give up on Jimmer this early, even for an extra first round pick.  Shumpert plays more like Evans and that is not what they need right now for their offense.

Here is a trade for the Kings we like better:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7kge6g9

This trade was mentioned in Bill Simmon’s recent NBA preview and we liked what we heard.

Evans for Vesely and McGee or Vesely and the Wizards 2012 unprotected pick.

Why we like this trade?

New starting lineup: Fredette, Thornton, Vesely, Cousins, McGee.

Cousins could be an absolute beast at the 4 and if the Wizards don’t want to part with McGee then the Kings would secure themselves a surefire lottery pick in an extremely deep draft and could then build around Fredette, Thornton, Vesely, Cousins and two potential lottery picks next year.

Not a bad foundation.