NBA Rookie Ladder: “New Year, New Me”

5. Jawun Evans

When Jawun Evans was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night, it seemed that the Clippers had plans of giving Chris Paul a credible backup for the first time since Eric Bledsoe was still in town. That changed less than a week later. Paul was shipped off to Houston for  return of Patrick Beverley and other pieces and then Serbian star and elite Euroleague guard Milos Teodosic was brought on board and suddenly Evans’ spot in the rotation was no longer guaranteed.

However, Beverley is sidelined for the year due to recurring knee issues, and that has opened the door for Evans to become a regular part of the Clippers rotation. He became the de facto backup point guard during December and even registered a career high in minutes (40) against the Washington Wizards halfway through the month.

Yet, 2018 brings an even bigger role for the diminutive rookie floor general. The injury bug has bitten Teodosic once more as he continues to battle plantar fasciitis. With both of the guards who previously slotted above him suiting up Barney Stinson style, Evans will likely get an opportunity to run with the starters more often. With the door open, Evans has a chance to make an impression right away in the new year.

Nothing is guaranteed, Doc Rivers still has a say on who gets on the court no matter how much personnel power the Clippers try to strip from him. This is the same coach who’s been trotting out Austin Rivers at point for stretches, but for now Evans is the lone option at point for this team.

Evans helped the Oklahoma State Cowboys run the most efficient offense in the nation last year as a sophomore per kenpom.com. The Chris Paul comparisons ran rampant throughout his final year in Stillwater, now he is literally stepping into the future hall of famer’s shoes.