Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 potential destinations for Tyreke Evans

By Jeremy Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: Tyreke Evans
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: Tyreke Evans /
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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 17: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on March 17, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 17: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on March 17, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Denver Nuggets

Count Denver as another team interested in Evans at the trade deadline, but unwilling to give up a first-round pick.

The fit is a bit odd at first. Denver already has Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton, Devin Harris, and Malik Beasley in their backcourt. Evans would just further crowd things. Devin Harris and Will Barton are both unrestricted free agents. One would assume that at least Harris would be left to walk if Evans came in. The puts Evans in prime position to be the other backup guard alongside Will Barton. The growth of Malik Beasley could be stunted in this situation, but Denver is a desperate club right now.

They were one win away from their first playoff appearance in five years. Three of their four best players are under the age of 23, but Paul Millsap is 33-years-old and owed $29 million next season. By signing Millsap last offseason, they sped up their timeline to compete now.

Signing Evans to a one-year deal still leaves them with plenty of flexibility in 2019, when they’ll have to pay Nikola Jokic the max. It’s also another step in showing their fanbase that they are doing everything possible to make the playoffs.

Evans and Barton could be a scary backcourt off the bench. Both for the opponent and for the Nuggets if the offense devolves into a shooting contest between the two.

Defensively, Evans wouldn’t do much to fix Denver’s “give up points on every possession” scheme. But he’d enhance an already dangerous offense.

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