Tyreke Evans is going to get traded, we know this much. In fact, Evans has been shut down until a trade is completed. Evans is on a one-year deal for just $3.3 million for the remainder of the season. Considering Evans’ contract precludes the team from offering him bird rights during free agency, the Grizzlies really don’t have much of an option but to trade him.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has reported that a trio of three teams has emerged as favorites to the Memphis wing player:
Three frontrunners (Boston, Denver and Philadelphia) and a fourth team (Miami) staying engaged on Memphis' Tyreke Evans, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2018
Evans has always been a mysterious player of some sorts. Evans hasn’t played since January 29th in anticipation of a trade. He won the NBA rookie of the year in 2009 but has completely fallen off the map prior to this season. Evans, 28, is averaging 19.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. Evans hasn’t just good, he’s been really efficient posting a shooting line of .458/.392/.799 from the field.
The Celtics are one team trying to angle their way for Evans. Marcus Smart has been on the chopping block in an attempt to land Evans. Smart turned down an extension with the team before the season and Danny Ainge wasn’t too happy about it. Now Smart is out after he punched a mirror. Like Evans, Smart is also expected to hit free agency but he comes with control on the restricted market. Boston is hoping to land a first-round pick for Smart that may or may not be flipped in a deal involving Evans.
Philadelphia is also interesting because Evans grew up in the Philadelphia area. Denver has been shopping Emmanuel Mudiay in an effort to land Evans. The problem for those two teams is, if Boston ups the ante, he’s heading to the Celtics because they have the most assets to offer.
