New Orleans Pelicans

Why can't Jimmer Fredette succeed in the NBA?

Published May. 1, 2015 2:02 a.m. ET

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Since entering the NBA as a highly-touted lottery pick, Jimmer Fredette has had a difficult time making a significant mark.

He's played for three teams in four years, and can't stay on the floor due to serious issues on the defensive end. But he also shows flashes of talent that prove he belongs.

Here's The Deseret News with some insight into what Fredette needs to find more success down the line:

"He needs to be able to come off the bench and attack. He needs to have the ball in his hands with the mentality to go and get buckets. He needs to play the role of someone like Isaiah Thomas with the Boston Celtics, D.J. Augustin with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lou Williams with the Toronto Raptors or Rodney Stuckey with the Indiana Pacers. He needs to be that bench spark. That instant offense. That game-changer."

Even if all those things happen, there's no guarantee Fredette will have the type of impact those aforementioned scorers do on their respective teams. Defense is a major concern, but so is his inability to get where he wants on the floor. He doesn't separate from his defender like he did in college. And he can't create off-the-dribble opportunities for others.

Still, who knows, maybe next year will be his breakout campaign.

(h/t: The Deseret News)

Photo Credit: Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images