As the NBA trade deadline nears, Tyreke Evans is a name that will pop up in connection with multiple teams. A trade is all but certain after the Grizzlies recently made the decision to hold Evans out from playing until a deal is made.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey indicated that the Sixers, Celtics, Cavs, Heat, Pelicans, Rockets and Thunder have all inquired about Evans. The Nuggets have also thrown their hat into the ring. The price? Memphis would like to acquire a first-round pick in return for the nine-year veteran.
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Following two difficult years riddled with injury, Evans has experienced a resurgence this season with the Grizzlies. After missing 99 of a possible 164 games due to receiving multiple knee operations from 2015-17, Evans signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with Memphis this past offseason.
This season, Evans has posted arguably the best numbers of his career with averages of 19.5 points, five assists and five rebounds per game. Evans’s 39.2 percent shooting from deep is a career-best, and he is doing so while averaging over five attempts per contest.
As the injury-riddled Grizzlies sit at 18-34, it is no secret why Evans has emerged in a number of trade rumors ahead of the deadline. Each of the playoff teams that have expressed serious interest serve as intriguing landing spots for Evans.
Tyreke Evans to the Sixers?
At 25-25, the Sixers are just ahead of the Pistons for the East’s final playoff spot. For Philadelphia, Evans would add another veteran presence to a mostly inexperienced locker room, while immediately adding a much-needed perimeter presence with the uncertainty surrounding Markelle Fultz’s return this season. A native of nearby Chester, Pa., Evans would have the opportunity to help lead his home team to its first playoff berth since 2012.
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The Sixers own the Lakers' first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft (provided it falls outside of Nos. 2-5). As Philadelphia likely will have two first-round picks in this draft, it could be willing to part ways with its own non-lottery pick in a deal to acquire Evans.
Tyreke Evans to the Celtics?
The Celtics (39-15) are a unique landing spot for Evans, as they are currently first in the Eastern Conference. Along with newly-acquired Greg Monroe, Evans would add depth and scoring to a bench that ranks in the league’s bottom 10 in points per game.
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The Celtics own the Lakers’ pick if it were to fall between Nos. 2-5; with low odds of that pick coming to Boston, it will be interesting to see if Danny Ainge is willing to part ways with Boston’s lone first-round selection for a postseason rental (though the Celtics do have future first-rounders available to trade).
Evans could be well worth losing the pick. With the Cavs struggling, the Celtics' depth would solidify them as the favorite to represent the East in this year’s Finals.
Tyreke Evans to the Cavs?
In losing 13 of its last 20 games, Cleveland’s struggles have been largely publicized and analyzed. To make matters worse, the team will be without All-Star forward Kevin Love for up to eight weeks. It has become clear that the Cavs must make a move if they plan on making the NBA Finals for a fourth straight season.
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Along with their own choice, the Cavs own Brooklyn’s first-round pick in the upcoming draft, but that won't be on the table unless a star is involved. If Memphis is willing to take Cleveland’s pick that will likely fall between 20-30, the Cavs are a realistic destination.
Tyreke Evans to the Nuggets?
A report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski adds Denver to the list of teams in playoff contention looking to trade for Evans. Thanks largely to an impressive home record of 22-7, the Nuggets (29-25) find themselves in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race as the sixth seed, but only two games separate fifth and ninth place in the West.
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As Denver awaits the return of Paul Millsap, Evans would add a much-needed veteran presence on the perimeter. Denver owns its first-round pick in the 2018 draft and would likely package the pick with multiple players to acquire Evans and open a roster spot for two-way player Torrey Craig, who is nearing the end of his allowed 45 days with the team.
Who else could trade for Tyreke Evans?
Although Evans spent four years with New Orleans and has familiarity with its team and system, the Pelicans used their 2018 first-rounder to acquire Nikola Mirotic, meaning a reunion in the Crescent City is unlikely.
The Heat and Thunder are similar in that both teams are looking to replace the presence of wings (Dion Waiters and Andre Roberson) that were lost for the season and add a scoring punch. The two teams are also similar in that neither owns a first-round pick in 2018. If Miami and Oklahoma City are unable to meet Memphis' demands, do not expect Evans to land in either city.
Houston (38-13) has proven its legitimacy as a real contender in the Western Conference with a shot to dethrone the defending champion Warriors. Despite holding a 2-0 record over Golden State this season, Houston could use one more piece to match the Warriors’ firepower. The Rockets will need all the points they can find for a potential seven-game series.
Similar to the 2017 deadline acquisition of Lou Williams, Evans would add depth and scoring to a Houston bench that needs another contributor outside of Eric Gordon. Evans' 3-point shooting this season would help his transition into Mike D’Antoni’s system. Of the teams that do not own a first-round pick in 2018, Houston is the most likely to acquire Evans.
By Feb. 8, Evans will know if he is contributing to a playoff push or a title run. It will all depend on what Memphis looks to get in return — and which contender is willing to pull the trigger.
