The NBA is reinstating former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, according to reports. Evans will be a free agent and can begin negotiations immediately. He will be eligible to sign with a team as early as Friday, February 18th, at noon.
The NBA is Reinstating Tyreke Evans
Evans has been reinstated from a 2019 suspension related to an NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Policy violation. This was the first year that Evans was eligible for reinstatement. Evans, a 10-year veteran, has averaged 15.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds throughout his career. In Evans’ most recent season with the 2019 Indiana Pacers, he averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game.
What Evans has to Offer
If Evans has remained in basketball shape, then he could be a notable addition to a contender’s roster by the time the playoffs begin. The former Memphis Tiger only shoots a career average of 32.3% from beyond the arc, but that number rose significantly from 2014 on. Of all the skills that a player can progress while away from the game, long-range shooting is near the top of the list. It’s possible that Evans enters this season as a better perimeter shooter than we have previously seen.
Defensively, Evans has been a disruptor in past seasons. His 1.2 steals per game over the course of his career showcase his active hands in the passing lanes. We will have to see how well his on-ball defensive skills have held up since his absence. It’s likely that any interested teams are more concerned with Evans’ offensive offerings than his defensive play.
Where Will Evans Sign?
The Los Angeles Lakers are heavily rumored to be in the running to sign Evans. This makes sense as the Lakers were surprisingly quiet at the trade deadline and the entire NBA world knows that they are trying to strengthen their team through the buyout market. Evans could provide them a better offensive weapon than any perimeter buyout candidates in the league.
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The Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers have also been mentioned in rumors. The Brooklyn Nets, an honorable mention for nearly any buyout candidate, may have some interest here as well after dealing James Harden. There will be other contenders in the mix as Evans could be a key bench contributor for the right squad.
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