The Kings declined the 2014-15 option on Jimmer Fredette's rookie contract on Thursday, meaning that the guard will be an unrestricted free agent in 2014. He's still on the club for this season, though. And given that he didn't play in the opener and looks to fall behind Marcus Thornton and Ben McLemore in the shooting guard pecking order, that means everyone expects him to be traded.

Including other teams, according to USA Today's Sam Amick:

My guess is that the Knicks, Lakers, Pistons, Rockets and Sixers might be some of those candidates. I have no info to that effect, just a sense of who needs a shooter, has or could make some room on the roster and might be interested in this guy.

[UPDATE!]

I have little doubt that the Kings could nab a second-round pick for him at any given moment. I imagine they are pushing for more. There's not much contract fluff to lose elsewhere on the roster — John Salmons is basically an expiring contract, Travis Outlaw makes only $3 million. Chuck Hayes is the only major salary dump candidate, and Jimmer's not that sweet as a one-season rental. (I don't include Marcus Thornton as a salary dump candidate in this case because trading Thornton would negate the need to trade Jimmer. In fact, if you traded Thornton you'd probably want to keep Jimmer.)

We have a long time until the trade deadline (mid-February), but the writing seems to be on the wall, so stay tuned.

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